Browsing Tag: History

Puran Singh’s Century-old Advice To Sikhs.

Whoever opens the gate to Sikh history and walks down the alley leading into the past of the Sikh community will meet a specter, and this specter is called freedom. But the specter is not that of the Sikhs, but of the tyrants.

Someone who abandons his duty will do so again and again. Is life really that simple? Do we not sometimes have to do things in life that appear to be disastrous, but later turn out to be blessings in disguise?

“What are you afraid of so much? The blooming tree of Sikhism that was planted by Gurū Nānak Dev Jī´s sacred hands can never be destroyed. Droughts, storms and heat may seem overpowering, but Sikhism will never lose its religious power and its spiritual radiance.”

Guru Nanak, initiated a monumental project of nation building that took ten generations – a little over 240 years – to complete, before 1699 marked the initiation (birth) of the Khalsa.

"The Hindu Shahi dynasty is now extinct, and of the whole house there is no longer the slightest remnant in existence. We must say that, in all their grandeur, they never slackened in the ardent desire of doing that which is good and right, that they were men of noble sentiment and bearing."

Sonia Deol embarks on a journey to unravel the events of 1984, an iconic year for Sikhs.

Nasīhatanāmā was said in a conversation between the King of Misar or Rum (regions around Egypt and Turkey), who was a cruel tyrant, and Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is a letter of advice from the Guru to the Emperor or King named as Hamid Karun.

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib was managed by Mahant Narayan Das in the early 20th century.. Money-power made the Mahant corrupt and he started using the Gurdwara's money for wrongful deeds.

It is a martial art, but it is also a spiritual practice, which aims to bring balance to our being. Gatka was employed in historical Sikh wars and has been thoroughly battle-tested, when there was a need to defend the dharma.

Over the years since 1945, there has been an on going controversy about the founding father of the Indian National Army. Here's a hint, it's not Capt. Mohan Singh.

Our story today is about one of a triumvirate, a gallant warrior by the name of Sardar Gujjar Singh Bhangi. The other two were Sardar Sobha Singh Kanhiya and Sardar Lahina Singh Bhangi, a close relative of Gujjar Singh.

India and France share long-standing strategic and diplomatic ties, which the latter now wants to make stronger by going beyond these parameters and moving towards cultural relationship by connecting dots from the past and shared history.

I had only heard about General Zorawar Singh’s expedition to Tibet in 1841 but what was the Chinese man’s reference to the entry in 1904?

"… I have known Sikhs to pick bullets out of their turbans during and after battle. In fact the turban absorbs the shock of a bullet possibly rather better than a tin helmet. If the turban is properly tied, it will also form an effective buffer too, for instance from a toss from a motor bicycle.

The magic, the meaning and the measure of a life - indeed of history - are found not in the celebration of an individual or an event, but in the interpretation. History is a narrative. What does it tell us about the time that Guru Nanak trod this earth, particularly about the place of women?

Elisabeth Meru is a very unique individual. She was born in Hamburg, Germany and now lives in Munich. The Guru's miracle manifested in her life after 24 years spent searching for God when she visited the Gurdwara in Munich, Germany for the first time and first heard Gurbani Kirtan.

Guru HarRai in his ever polite manner replied: “Yes, Whether you comprehend it or not, the word bears the fruit of salvation...."

Most Sikhs have heard of the Āratī of Guru Nanak and the Bhagats, but few have heard the full version that includes many inspiring verses by Guru Gobind Singh.

Most Sikhs have heard of the Āratī of Guru Nanak and the Bhagats, but few have heard the full version that includes many inspiring verses by Guru Gobind Singh.

I would not have dreamt of going to this obscure village even before 21 June 1994, but for my colleague, Capt. Hardev Singh’s insistence. He appeared excited.

These connections are so deeply felt that I believe they came from my heart. Or was it that the feelings were released from my very own soul?

1947- a year that wrote the lives and deaths of countless people. A year soaked in blood and tears. For people who have witnessed this man- made disaster, it brings back blood chilling screams and distraught memories.

That woman is the lesser gender even today is beyond debate. And that’s not the question. Today I merely offer plausible hypotheses of how such practices very likely took birth.

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst hosted a unique event last week as serving Sikh soldiers joined Sikh schoolchildren at a book launch which explored the history of Sikhs in the British Army.

In the small town of Thao Kalsa, Sikh landlords, surrounded and outnumbered, made a grim decision. A young boy witnessed the result.

It was a momentous day in the family of Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta.

His was perhaps the only religion that was devoid of dogmas and doctrines.

Bandi Chhor Divas is the day we celebrate the return of the Guru. When Guru Hargobind was imprisoned in Gwalior fort, the Sikhs longed to have his sight. The Sikhs felt lost without the Guru. How would they get inspiration and guide their minds on the right path? How long would they go until the Guru was finally released?

Facts, fiction and pure chemistry merge in Canadian research scientist-turned-writer Jaspreet Singh's novel, 'Helium', based on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. India, Singh tells Malini Nair, hasn't mourned enough for those who died in the conflagration and not learnt anything from it either.