The
eighteenth century in the history of Punjab is synonymous with political
and social unrest, confusion and complete chaos, following the decline
of the Mughal Empire. There were quick changes of authority in the region,
and Punjab became the battleground of a triangular struggle for power
among the Mughal rulers of Punjab, the Afghan invaders and the emerging
power of the Sikhs. To this struggle was also added the Maratha threat
from the south. It is truly a dark period in Punjab history, in which
the Sikhs fought formidable battles initially for survival and later on
in the century for gaining territory and political power.
Yet
in this long struggle some fundamental principles were at stake - the
principles enunciated by the Sikh Gurus and nourished by martyrdom and
sacrifice to become salient features of a way of life that is respected
all over the world as representing high moral values, unbound courage,
equality, justice, democracy and freedom - the rights we take for granted
today, the right to practise one's own faith, fight against depression
and repression and treat all on equal grounds as members of the same human
race.
The
rulers of the times considered the teachings of the Sikhs as threatening
their privileged position, as teaching people to oppose the administration
which in Guru Nanak's own words had become corrupt and oppressive. The
fence eating up crops it was supposed to protect. There was no choice
left to the Sikhs but to fight for survival or die.
This
period of unrest produced great leaders among the Sikhs, one of the most
important being Singh Bahadur Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia whose own life
spanned the last three quarters of the eighteenth century and led the
Sikhs through the most difficult phase of their history, when there was
a price on their heads, when becoming a Sikh was taken as courting death,
in so many ways Punjab presented a picture of an eighteenth century Vietnam.
The Sikhs survived two holocausts and emerged as leaders of the Punjab,
thanks to the brilliant leadership provided by Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
and other Misaldars (chieftains).
Jassa
Singh was born in 1723 in the village of Ichogil, son of Giani Bhagwan
Singh whose father S. Hardas Singh had been baptised by the 10th Guru,
Guru Gobind Singh Himself. He stayed on with Guru Gobind Singh till the
Guru moved to the South, and when Banda Bahadur came to Punjab, joined
him in his battles against the Mughals. It is also said that Guru Gobind
Singh was so pleased with the devotion and humility of Bhai Hardas Singh
that he gave him his blessing that one day his descendants would rule.
In 1716, he met his death in the Battle of Bijwara.
Giani
Bhagwan Singh went along with Guru Gobind Singh to the South, stayed at
Sri Hazur Sahib and fought in many battles under the command of Guru Gobind
Singh and later on Banda Bahadur. Some time after Banda Bahadur's death,
Sube Khan Bahadur of Lahore found his military position very weak compared
to that of his adversaries. He requested the Khalsa for assistance of
some Sikh troops. At this request, Giani Bhagwan Singh went to Lahore
and became the leader of a hundred cavalryman. Later on in 1838, when
Nadir Shah invaded Lahore, he lost his life fighting against the invader.
Thus
Jassa Singh inherited a glorious legacy of bravery, courage, spirit of
adventure and love for the Sikh faith.
Nadir
Shah proceeded to Delhi, conquered the city and plundered its wealth before
moving back. The Sikhs tackled him on his way back and managed to take
away from his army a considerable portion of the booty. Nadir Shah was
surprised at the courage of these people and decided to get rid of them.
He asked Zakaria Khan, then governor of Lahore, who these people were
and where they lived, to which Zakaria Khan replied, 'They are a group
of Hindu faqirs who come to Amritsar twice a year for a dip in the tank,
which they consider holy and live on horse back. Nadir decided not to
pursue them and made this remark, 'They will rule one day'.
