Dr. Banarsi Lal
S. Satbir Singh Risam
This holy shrine is situated on the bank of River Chenab in District Reasi.This place is about 28 kms from Katra Vaishno Devi. For reaching this shrine one has to go first to Simbol Choa, 18 kms away from Katra on Reasi Road. From Simbol Choa a road branches off from main road to Dera Baba Banda Bahadur, which is at a distance of 10 kms from there. This is the holy place where Baba Banda Bahadur used to spend his time in meditation after fighting against cruel rulers. There is a historical Gurudwara known as Darbar Sahib. Here Gurbani from Guru Granth Sahib is recited regularly according to norm, in morning and evening everyday.
There is a Saffron colour flag (Nishan Sahib), one piece of deodar log with sword at top, about 50 feet high, hoisted by Baba Banda Bahadur in 1715 AD which bears testimony to the bravery and high ideals of this great saint warrior. There is an old Plumtree(Ber Sahib) in the compound of Gurdwara. Under this tree (Ber) Baba Banda Bahadur mediated to be in direct communion with God. There are four Baniyan trees around this Shrine.
Early life
Jammu and Kashmir, one of the states in Northern India, is the land which gave birth to many patriots and prominent historical personalties. Banda Bahadur was one of those illustrious sons of the land, who sacrificed his everything to protect the common man, unsheathed his sword against tyranny of the Mughal rulers and to safeguard the integrity of the country at large.
Baba Banda Bahadur was born on 16th October 1670, in village Jore of district Rajouri of Jammu which is 102 kms from Jammu. His father Sh. Ram Dev was a Bhardwaj Rajput, an agriculturist. His mother named him Lachhman Dev. No one could imagine that this child when grows up will shake the foundation of Mughal Empire in India. A supportive lad in childhood, turned hermit and finally a Saint Warrior who taught a lesson to those who wreaked havoc on innocent people of India.
Turned as Bairagi
An event occurred in Lachhman Dev life’s, when one day he went for hunting. He was fifteen at that time. It is said that he shot an arrow at a female deer on the bank of Tawi. The deer was wounded and fell down .He went up to her and saw her dying. That incident shook his conscience and he pitied at the animal. But he took courage and cut open its belly and found two young ones in it. They too died before his eyes in a couple of minutes. This horrible scene gave him a rude shock. He decided to give up hunting. This event turned the course of his life to become Bairagi.
Once a group of Sadhus came and stayed at Rajouri. There was one Sadhu Janki Parshad by name, whose preaching impressed Lachhman Dev so much that he decided to leave his home and started moving with him. Lachhman Dev became famous as Bairagi while his stay at Nandher, on the bank of river Godawri. Here he came into contact with Yogi Augher Nath who started teaching him Yogic and occult science.
Meeting with Guru Gobind Singh Ji
At Nandher Bairagi came in contact with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708 AD. It is said that he had a Couch (Palung) in his Ashram which he used to test the divine power of saints who visited him. With his supreme divine powers, he could turn the Couch (Palung)up side down if the visitor who sat on it was not up to his level of his divine attainment. One day Guru Gobind Singh Ji accompanied by his devotees visited Dera of Bairagi. He was not there. In his absence, Guru Ji sat on the splendid Couch (Palung) to rest. He instructed his devotees to prepare Langer. He also instructed to slaughter goats and cook their meat. Bairagi was informed about this by his disciples. Guru Ji put his arrow on the couch. Lateron, the Bairagi tried to overturn the Palung by magical act but could not succeed. On observing the personality and spiritual power of Guru Gobind Singh, he got highly impressed and bowed before him. He submitted himself to this great Master and said “Main Tera Banda”(I am your man).On hearing this Guru Ji got up and embraced him and replied “To Mera Banda Te Main Teno Kita Bulanda”(If you are my man then then I hold you in my highest esteem).In this union of two great persons emerged Banda Bahadur from Madho Dass Bairagi ,who awoke to rise to the truth. Guru Gobind Singh told him about tyrannies being inflicted on the people of Punjab and baptised him as his disciple .Guruji conferred the title of Bahadur on Banda, whereby he came to be known as “Banda Bahadur”.
March to Punjab
After receiving Guru Gobind Singh’s commandants, instructions and blessings, Banda Bahadur left for Punjab in Oct. 1708.He fought many battles with Mughals. He won a battle in Samana. After this he conquered cities like Gharam,Thaska,Mastana Bad Sadhotra. He also attacked Sarhund and punished Wazir Khan who had bricked up alive two Sahibzadas (sons) of guru Gobind Singh.The city was virtually destroyed after capturing Sirhund,Banda Bahadur established Sikh State and laid down the foundation stone of freedom in India. Baz Singh was appointed as Governer of Sarhund.
After establishing Sikh rule Banda Bahadur conquered Saharanpur, Jalalabad, Batala, Kalanaur and some hill states. After these battles he settled in Jammu where the present Dera Sahib is situated on the bank of river Chenab. Here Baba Banda Bahadur stayed from 1713-1715 AD, in solace with his family.
Battle of Gurdas Nangle
Banda Bahadur planned to capture Lahore. Therefore, he started assembling his army in Gurdaspur Nangle Fort. Some how Abdul Samand Khan, Subedar of Lahore came to know of this planning and he also started gathering all his forces at Lahore along with other forces of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Kassure, Patti, Kalanaur, Katuch etc.The combined Imperial forces marched from Lahore against Banda and surrounded Gurdaspur Nangle Fort.Army of Banda Bahadur fought very bravely and inflicted heavy casualties on the imperialists.
It is said that when Banda was alone and surrounded by the enemy, they formed a circle around him. Though Banda Bahadur was encircled, yet none dared to catch him. He passed in different directions like a lion in a flock of sheep and the enemy fell shaking and trembling on the ground being afraid of formidableness of his appearance. And it was after 59 combatants of the circle had fallen under his sword that he was made captive along with his 700 sikhs.
Execution of Baba Banda Bahadur
On 9th June 1716, Banda Bahadur along with his remaining companions was taken to shrine of Khwaja Kutabuldin Bakhtiar Kaki at Mehrauli in procession. Here all the companions of Banda Bahadur were slaughtered. His four years old son, Ajay Singh was placed in the lap of his father and was ordered to cut his throat. On his refusal to do so, the executor cut the child in pieces. But all this could not make Banda Bahadur deviate from path shown by his Guru and he refused to embrace Islam. At last his flesh was torn off with red hot pillers .But there was no sign of withdrawal on his face. Ultimately he was martyred and he proved true to the example of supreme sacrifice set by Guru Gobind Singh.
His wife was also imprisoned by the Mughals. They tried hard with her to give up her faith but could not succeed. She was tortured to extreme. On one morning she jumped from the balcony of prison and sacrificed her life. In this way she also emerged victor like her husband Baba Banda Bahadur and could not be suppressed and made to succumb to any temptation.
It is a matter of great regret that martyrdom of such a great person has not been remembered in a manner befitting his sacrifice. The real tribute to this saint warrior will be to teach his ideals to coming generations so that his message and teachings blessed to him by Guru Gobind and Guru Nanak are passed on to them. It is the need of the hour that the present generations is made to emulate the ideals and path shown by Baba Banda Bahadur into their lives so that their value system becomes refined which is necessary to keep the integrity of country and to prevent the social system from degenerating to the point of return.Dr. Banarsi Lal
S. Satbir Singh Risam
This holy shrine is situated on the bank of River Chenab in District Reasi.This place is about 28 kms from Katra Vaishno Devi. For reaching this shrine one has to go first to Simbol Choa, 18 kms away from Katra on Reasi Road. From Simbol Choa a road branches off from main road to Dera Baba Banda Bahadur, which is at a distance of 10 kms from there. This is the holy place where Baba Banda Bahadur used to spend his time in meditation after fighting against cruel rulers. There is a historical Gurudwara known as Darbar Sahib. Here Gurbani from Guru Granth Sahib is recited regularly according to norm, in morning and evening everyday.
There is a Saffron colour flag (Nishan Sahib), one piece of deodar log with sword at top, about 50 feet high, hoisted by Baba Banda Bahadur in 1715 AD which bears testimony to the bravery and high ideals of this great saint warrior. There is an old Plumtree(Ber Sahib) in the compound of Gurdwara. Under this tree (Ber) Baba Banda Bahadur mediated to be in direct communion with God. There are four Baniyan trees around this Shrine.
Early life
Jammu and Kashmir, one of the states in Northern India, is the land which gave birth to many patriots and prominent historical personalties. Banda Bahadur was one of those illustrious sons of the land, who sacrificed his everything to protect the common man, unsheathed his sword against tyranny of the Mughal rulers and to safeguard the integrity of the country at large.
Baba Banda Bahadur was born on 16th October 1670, in village Jore of district Rajouri of Jammu which is 102 kms from Jammu. His father Sh. Ram Dev was a Bhardwaj Rajput, an agriculturist. His mother named him Lachhman Dev. No one could imagine that this child when grows up will shake the foundation of Mughal Empire in India. A supportive lad in childhood, turned hermit and finally a Saint Warrior who taught a lesson to those who wreaked havoc on innocent people of India.
Turned as Bairagi
An event occurred in Lachhman Dev life’s, when one day he went for hunting. He was fifteen at that time. It is said that he shot an arrow at a female deer on the bank of Tawi. The deer was wounded and fell down .He went up to her and saw her dying. That incident shook his conscience and he pitied at the animal. But he took courage and cut open its belly and found two young ones in it. They too died before his eyes in a couple of minutes. This horrible scene gave him a rude shock. He decided to give up hunting. This event turned the course of his life to become Bairagi.
Once a group of Sadhus came and stayed at Rajouri. There was one Sadhu Janki Parshad by name, whose preaching impressed Lachhman Dev so much that he decided to leave his home and started moving with him. Lachhman Dev became famous as Bairagi while his stay at Nandher, on the bank of river Godawri. Here he came into contact with Yogi Augher Nath who started teaching him Yogic and occult science.
Meeting with Guru Gobind Singh Ji
At Nandher Bairagi came in contact with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708 AD. It is said that he had a Couch (Palung) in his Ashram which he used to test the divine power of saints who visited him. With his supreme divine powers, he could turn the Couch (Palung)up side down if the visitor who sat on it was not up to his level of his divine attainment. One day Guru Gobind Singh Ji accompanied by his devotees visited Dera of Bairagi. He was not there. In his absence, Guru Ji sat on the splendid Couch (Palung) to rest. He instructed his devotees to prepare Langer. He also instructed to slaughter goats and cook their meat. Bairagi was informed about this by his disciples. Guru Ji put his arrow on the couch. Lateron, the Bairagi tried to overturn the Palung by magical act but could not succeed. On observing the personality and spiritual power of Guru Gobind Singh, he got highly impressed and bowed before him. He submitted himself to this great Master and said “Main Tera Banda”(I am your man).On hearing this Guru Ji got up and embraced him and replied “To Mera Banda Te Main Teno Kita Bulanda”(If you are my man then then I hold you in my highest esteem).In this union of two great persons emerged Banda Bahadur from Madho Dass Bairagi ,who awoke to rise to the truth. Guru Gobind Singh told him about tyrannies being inflicted on the people of Punjab and baptised him as his disciple .Guruji conferred the title of Bahadur on Banda, whereby he came to be known as “Banda Bahadur”.
March to Punjab
After receiving Guru Gobind Singh’s commandants, instructions and blessings, Banda Bahadur left for Punjab in Oct. 1708.He fought many battles with Mughals. He won a battle in Samana. After this he conquered cities like Gharam,Thaska,Mastana Bad Sadhotra. He also attacked Sarhund and punished Wazir Khan who had bricked up alive two Sahibzadas (sons) of guru Gobind Singh.The city was virtually destroyed after capturing Sirhund,Banda Bahadur established Sikh State and laid down the foundation stone of freedom in India. Baz Singh was appointed as Governer of Sarhund.
After establishing Sikh rule Banda Bahadur conquered Saharanpur, Jalalabad, Batala, Kalanaur and some hill states. After these battles he settled in Jammu where the present Dera Sahib is situated on the bank of river Chenab. Here Baba Banda Bahadur stayed from 1713-1715 AD, in solace with his family.
Battle of Gurdas Nangle
Banda Bahadur planned to capture Lahore. Therefore, he started assembling his army in Gurdaspur Nangle Fort. Some how Abdul Samand Khan, Subedar of Lahore came to know of this planning and he also started gathering all his forces at Lahore along with other forces of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Kassure, Patti, Kalanaur, Katuch etc.The combined Imperial forces marched from Lahore against Banda and surrounded Gurdaspur Nangle Fort.Army of Banda Bahadur fought very bravely and inflicted heavy casualties on the imperialists.
It is said that when Banda was alone and surrounded by the enemy, they formed a circle around him. Though Banda Bahadur was encircled, yet none dared to catch him. He passed in different directions like a lion in a flock of sheep and the enemy fell shaking and trembling on the ground being afraid of formidableness of his appearance. And it was after 59 combatants of the circle had fallen under his sword that he was made captive along with his 700 sikhs.
Execution of Baba Banda Bahadur
On 9th June 1716, Banda Bahadur along with his remaining companions was taken to shrine of Khwaja Kutabuldin Bakhtiar Kaki at Mehrauli in procession. Here all the companions of Banda Bahadur were slaughtered. His four years old son, Ajay Singh was placed in the lap of his father and was ordered to cut his throat. On his refusal to do so, the executor cut the child in pieces. But all this could not make Banda Bahadur deviate from path shown by his Guru and he refused to embrace Islam. At last his flesh was torn off with red hot pillers .But there was no sign of withdrawal on his face. Ultimately he was martyred and he proved true to the example of supreme sacrifice set by Guru Gobind Singh.
His wife was also imprisoned by the Mughals. They tried hard with her to give up her faith but could not succeed. She was tortured to extreme. On one morning she jumped from the balcony of prison and sacrificed her life. In this way she also emerged victor like her husband Baba Banda Bahadur and could not be suppressed and made to succumb to any temptation.
It is a matter of great regret that martyrdom of such a great person has not been remembered in a manner befitting his sacrifice. The real tribute to this saint warrior will be to teach his ideals to coming generations so that his message and teachings blessed to him by Guru Gobind and Guru Nanak are passed on to them. It is the need of the hour that the present generations is made to emulate the ideals and path shown by Baba Banda Bahadur into their lives so that their value system becomes refined which is necessary to keep the integrity of country and to prevent the social system from degenerating to the point of return.
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