THE SIKH NUGGET

Chandigarh, January 17
The Akal Takht Jathedar will bestow the title of National Professor of Sikhism on Dr Kirpal Singh, an eminent historian and author of several books, including one on the Partition, early next week.

"I have got a communication that a function in this regard will be held on January 21 at the Golden Temple," said Prof Kirpal Singh, who turned 90 recently.

Even at this age, Kirpal Singh spends six to eight hours daily to supervise the editing of Gurpartap Suraj Granth, 13 volumes of which have already been published and two are under print. The granth is one of the major sources of historical events during the period of the Sikh Gurus.

Born in 1924 in Gujrawalan district, now in Pakistan, Dr Kirpal Singh, who was a founder of Oral History Department in Punjabi University, Patiala, has made a seminal contribution to the modern and medieval history of India.

Sarbjit Dhaliwal, Tribune India,

An expert from Belgium, Sonian Hablox, today met the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) officials here and put forth her suggestions for upkeep of the ancient ‘ber’ trees in the Golden Temple Complex.

Sonian was accompanied by MD Group chairman Harpal Singh and MS Dhanju from BIS Group of Industries. Dhanju told the SGPC officials that Sonian’s firm in Belgium was involved in the upkeep of trees using organic methods and she also had a word with a noted scientist of her company regarding Dukhbhanjani Beri, a part of which has dried up.

He said the Belgium-based firm would be keen on cooperating with the SGPC in maintaining the ancient ‘ber’ trees. He said the company would treat these trees with the help of natural techniques and there would be no side-effects.

Dhanju said they would first carry out a study about the existing environment before starting their treatment on these trees. The SGPC officials subsequently felicitated the trio by presenting them ‘siropa’ and a picture of the Golden Temple. The Punjab Agriculture University (Ludhiana) is currently looking after the 'ber' trees at the shrine.

Tribune News Service, Amritsar, January 21

Honorary secretary, Khalsa College governing council, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina (centre) and college principal Daljit Singh (left) honour Canadian art historian Bhupinder Singh Marwah at Khalsa College in Amritsar.

It’s a popular fact that Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s regime was built on a secular arrangement which treated all religion, communities and sects with respect. Historian Bhupinder Singh Marwaha visited the city to further exemplify and give some additional information about his glorious legacy.

The art historian from Canada, presented a unique ‘pictorial lecture’ on Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Court of Lahore Darbar’ at Khalsa College recently. He showed rare paintings and pictures relating Maharaja’s times and shed light on the role of European officers in his court.

The paintings, sourced from various private and art gallery collections, were originals from the era. “The exhibition essentially focuses on the foreign generals and close aides of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and also the additional material apart from the popular works we know about him,” said the academician. “Most of them are sourced from Emily Eden’s work, a British aristocrat, who accompanied the then Governor General of British India. She made a vivid account of Maharaja’s kingdom. Her memoirs throw light on the significant aspects of his rule,” said the historian.

Marwaha presented interesting accounts of foreign officers serving in Ranjit Singh's army and working in his court. “Maharaja had Germans, French and Italians serving in his court. Jean Francois Allard, who built ‘fauj-i-khas’, the unique military group of Maharja Ranjit Singh, Jean Baptiste Ventura, who modernised Khalsa Army and Johann Martino Honingberger, all came from foreign lands,” explained Marwaha. He said old painting records confirmed that Maharaja’s vast rule was secular and modern in character, as is the popular belief.

“These paintings are remarkable, like some facts that once his regime came to an end, Maharaja Ranjit Singh spent rest of his life in England. And his son was believed to have served in military regiment in Canada, making him probably the first Indian to set foot in Canada. All these interesting details intrigue me more,” said Marwaha.

Calling his interest ‘pure passion’ to put together interesting details about Sikh history, Marwaha said though his profession differed from his passion, he was part of a group voluntarily working to put up exhibitions across Canada and India. “It’s not a particular area of research for me, just a passion. I approach private collectors, source out from museums and scholars to enrich myself and others,” he added.

Marwaha had been an advisor on various boards of prominent academic institutions in Canada. The exhibition created by him was first mounted by Sikh Foundation of Canada at Royal Museum, Toronto.

Ask him about some striking successes of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s regime and he points out a few, “The success of his regime is because he respected and created space for everyone, whether religion or individuals.” As for the exhibition, it too had highlighting points of the same with the works like his court, shield bearing miniatures of his family and generals of the court and some of the salient features of his kingdom.

Neha Saini, Tribune News Service, Amritsar, January 18

Mool Mantra on a Manuscript scribed by Guru Hargobind, Central Sikh Museusm.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided that all rare manuscripts and scriptures and other related texts on Sikh religion and history will be preserved by using the latest technologies including digitalization.

This decision was taken at a meeting of an SGPC sub-committee which was formed last year to suggests ways and means of preserving rare Sikh scriptures, including the 'birs' of the hand- written Guru Granth Sahib, manuscripts and other related rare books on Sikh religion and history lying at the Sikh Reference Library in the Golden Temple complex. The meeting was held at the SGPC headquarters here on Wednesday.

In a release issued later, SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, who chaired the meeting, said, "A number of decisions were taken including digitalization of records. All these decisions will be put up for approval in the next meeting of the SGPC executive".

Bhaur said that in addition to computerization of all records at the Sikh Reference Library, the sub-committee also decided to set up two other similar libraries. These would be located at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district and at the Gurcharan Singh Tohra Institute at Patiala.

" We will recruit qualified persons for all these libraries, that is those who are well versed with the latest techniques in preserving rare manuscripts", he added.

Bhaur indicated that the SGPC had sometime back tied-up with the Mohali based Nanakshahi Trust for carrying out preservation work at the Sikh Reference Library. Some noteworthy suggests were made by this Trust which were implemented, with positive results, he added.

Besides Bhaur others who took part in the meeting included SGPC member Rajinder Singh Mehta, former member Amarinder Singh, SGPC secretaries, Roop Singh and Satbir Singh, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) professor, Dr Balwant Singh and Dr Devinder Singh, Director, Nanakshahi Trust. The staff of the Sikh Reference Library was also present.

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Amritsar, January 22, 2014

A group of Sikh academics and politicians from Britain want Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to protect historic Sikh shrines in Pakistan.

In a joint letter to Sharif, House of Lords member Ajit Singh who is a professor at Cambridge, Virinder Kalra of the University of Manchester, Swaran Singh from Warwick, the economist Pritam Singh Gill of Oxford Brookes University and Nadir Cheema from SOAS, say, preserving gurudwaras would significantly further confidence building measures with India.

They have, in particular, sought Sharif's intervention to save Gurudwara Guru Kotha - a shrine dedicated to the Sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind in Gujranwala's Wazirabad town. They cite testimonies of local residents, which indicate that the historic structure was at risk of being destroyed by incessant encroachments.

"The gurdwara enshrines the religious sentiments of the Sikh minority in Pakistan as well as spread across the globe. It is also part of the heritage of Punjab as a whole. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that the gurdwara is preserved," the academics have told Sharif emphasizing the fact that the facts were first brought to their notice by Muslim residents in the Pakistani township.

"It should be a matter of pride for the Prime Minister of Pakistan that the Muslim residents of Wazirabad were the first to show their concern about the state of the gurdwara," their letter states.
"
Meanwhile, Lord Ajit Singh along with his friends also pointed out that in the last 10 years around 200 mosques have been restored in Indian Punjab with the help of Sikh and Hindu communities, adding that showing such a measure of mutual respect for each other’s religious sentiments could play a huge part in producing sustainable peace and coexistence between the two countries.

They have asked Mr Sharif to facilitate the transfer of the Wazirabad shrine to the custody of Pakistan's Evacuee or Aukaaf Trust and undertake its conservations and renovation in consultation with "concerned residents of Wazirabad."

Nadir Cheema believes a beginning in Wazirabad could renew hope for dozens of gurudwaras across the rest of Pakistan. According to him the previous PPP government too had eased visa restrictions allowing for Sikh pilgrims to participate in the refurbishment of shrines.

Notably, Sikh prayers in Indian Punjab after the partition in 1947, have continually articulated the community's yearning for free access to shrines located in Pakistan including the first Guru, Nanak's birthplace at Nankana Sahib.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/ 23/01/2014, New Delhi

A drawing of Guru Gobind Singh gifted to a Gurdwara in London.

Sikh Nugget showcases the work of Raj Singh Tattal, a gifted artist from London who has undertaken many Graphite and Charcoal pencil drawings not only of Sikhs but depictions of famous personalities and characters.

My name is Raj Singh Tattal (I also go by the name 'Pen'Tacular-Artist) and I'm a freelance artist from London who specializes in black and white 'graphite & charcoal' realistic pencil drawings.

Depiction of a Nihang Singh

I have been drawing and loved art for as long as I can remember. And during my teens I became interested in 'comic book illustrations' and managed to get my own unique Sikh superhero comic strip published in a national Asian U.K newspaper when I was 15 years old.

A depiction of Sikhs in the Army

I then went on to study Art & Design at college and then moved on to university in my twenties, graduating with a degree in 'Product Design' 13 years ago. But for a number of really complicated reasons I had to take a break from designing and drawing for a short while. But that short time unfortunately then subsequently led to me not drawing for 11 years.

Works showcased at Pictorem Gallery, London.

But in mid 2012 I had an overwhelming urge to draw again, so I started drawing and since then I haven't stopped. And I’m now in the process of turning my love of art into a full time career and exhibiting my work at galleries. I'm also in the process of doing a series of drawings on 'Sikhs'. Starting with the artwork I've already finished of the 3 'Sikh Soldiers' and the 'Nihang Singh'. But I will be expanding this artwork to include all aspects of Sikh culture and history in the near future.

It has also been confirmed that a 'Sikh' only exhibition of my artwork is going to be held at the Winns Gallery in Walthamstow for 2 weeks in November 2014. Where I will be showcasing 16-17 new 'Sikh' artworks, and there will be further 'Sikh art' exhibitions in the future that I will announce on my Facebook page.

To see more of Rajinder Singh's work visit his website: http://pentacularartist.wix.com/pentacularartist#

Or connect with him on Facebook

Book Launch and Lecture

The audience of about 100 people sat in rapt attention in Hall Two at Alhamra Arts Council on Wednesday as Fakir Syed Aijazuddin, former principal of Aitchison College, told a tale of three brothers and their experiences at Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s court.

The talk came at the launch of Aijazuddin’s book, The Resourceful Fakirs – Three Muslim Brothers at the Sikh court of Lahore. The book details the lives of Aijazuddin’s own ancestors Fakir Azizuddin, Fakir Imamuddin and Fakir Nuruddin who served at the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in various capacities.

The audience were regaled with tales of grandeur of the darbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the personalities gracing it. Aijazuddin went on to highlight details of the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh – the founder of the Sikh darbar in the Punjab during the 19th century. Lahore was captured in 1799 and became the capital of Singh’s kingdom and yet, Aijazuddin says, recognition for the ruler came too slow.
Advisers from various religious backgrounds were inducted in the court, he said. “Of the advisors at the Maharaja’s court, three Muslim brothers were particularly prominent – the Fakir brothers,” he said. The eldest, Fakir Azizuddin, was the foreign spokesman, negotiator and trusted adviser who dealt with the kingdom’s foreign affairs. The middle brother, Fakir Imamuddin, held the keys to the Govindgarh Fort and was treasurer of the kingdom. Fakir Nuruddin, the youngest, was an important courtier and later became a member of the Regency Council.

Fakir Syed Aijazuddin

Aijazuddin said the Fakirs were originally hakims by profession. Aijazuddin delved into intricate details about the internal battles over the throne and shared anecdotes about the Koh-i-Noor diamond and foreign visitors gracing the Maharaja’s courts. The Sikh empire in the Punjab fizzled out due to internal friction and was formally taken over by the British in 1849, he said.
“By 1849 the Sikh court of Lahore, which had once made its mark on history, had become history itself. The Golden Throne of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was empty and there was no one capable to sit on it,” he said.
“And yet through this period, the three Fakir brothers remained an integral part of the Sikh empire,” said Aijazuddin. “They are now buried side by side in the old city of Lahore…much like the way they had stood in their life,” he said.

Aijazuddin also exhibited visuals of significant artefacts of the time including the Roznaamcha, a 650-page daily diary in Persian and an alarm clock triggered by gun-powder. Concluding his narration Aijazuddin asked how many people among the audience were from his clan. When several people responded in affirmative, he asked “So how many of you wish you were Fakirs?” Begum Jahanara Salimuddin, oldest living member of the Fakir family, and Aijazuddin’s aunt also spoke about the traditions and history of the Fakir family. She thanked Aijazuddin for recording their family’s history through his book. She said the title ‘Fakir’ had been chosen out of wisdom. “If we were to be blessed with material wealth, we would bow in humility because of our name,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2014.

The book is available from:

VARIETY BOOK DEPOT
ABG BhavanM3,
Connaught Circus
New Delhi 110 001

011 - 23417175, 23415030, 23412567
011 - 23415335, 41517201
varietybookdepot@gmail.com

The restoration work on the interiors of the sanctum sanctorum at the Golden Temple has gained momentum and has also started showing some positive outcome. At present, the focus is on preserving the wall paintings on the first floor of the sanctum sanctorum and a team of seven experts is on the job. They have cleaned up a part of the roof in a scientific manner, thus restoring its sheen.

After visiting the holy shrine, one can make out the difference with the help of a patch that has been left untouched by the team probably to show the results of the exercise.

Apart from cleaning the roof, the experts are working on restoring the wall paintings with the help of stone colours, which are compatible to the existing ones. The restoration work was preceded by compilation of a detailed damage assessment report in which the entire wall paintings were documented. As the preservation of wall paintings involves intricate work, it will take another few months before it could be finally completed.

Conservation expert SP Singh, who is associated with the project, said they were carrying out the restoration work while ensuring that the originality and the aesthetics remained intact. He said they were currently working on the wall paintings while the detailed project report (DPR) for the preservation of gold work was underway.

The SGPC has already clarified that there will be no tampering with the ancient artwork and all efforts will be made to preserve its originality. Significantly, this is the first time ever that the restoration work on the interiors of the shrine is being done.

The gold-plating and the artwork dates back to Maharaja Ranjit Singh era. The interiors of Sri Harmandar Sahib boast of rare architecture comprising ‘mohrakashi’, ‘tukri’ and ‘gach’ work. The gold-plating has turned black probably due to rising pollution while at a few places, it has lost grip with the walls.

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service, Amritsar, January 31

The SAD-BJP Government recently constructed some Sikh memorials across the state but little attention seems to have been paid to Guru Gobind Singh Marg, which was inaugurated in 1973 with much fanfare by the then Chief Minister, Giani Zail Singh.

It is believed that the 10th Sikh Guru had taken this route from Anandpur Sahib to Talwandi Sabo. This 570-km highway connects about 91 shrines with which the Guru's name is associated.

A Dashmesh Pillar with missing tiles on Guru Gobind Singh Marg in Muktsar.

Despite having such religious importance, the road named after Guru Gobind Singh is in a state of neglect. Most of the milestones on the road have been uprooted by anti-social elements and not been reinstalled. The condition of Dashmesh Pillars, too, is not up to the mark. A case in point is a pillar in the Red Cross complex here. Most of the tiles of this pillar, which has sacred verses inscribed on it, are missing. Moreover, no signboard has been put up to show the way to this pillar.

Locals said the pillar was not cleaned and its boundary walls were not whitewashed since a long time. They appealed to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is scheduled to visit Muktsar town on Tuesday, to visit all Sikh memorials and gates in the town to see their sorry state of affairs himself.

Members of the National Consumer Awareness Group said about 81-km of this historic marg passes through Muktsar district and a large number of people had encroached on it. "Some liquor vends, too, have been opened on this historic marg. They demanded that these be immediately shifted to other locations.

Some locals alleged that the state government was playing politics over these memorials. "The Dashmesh Pillar was set up by former Congress Chief Minister Giani Zail Singh and Mukte Minar near the District Administrative Complex was set up by another former Congress Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. May be that is the reason why these memorials are not being maintained properly," said Gurinderjit Singh, a local resident.

Archit Watts, Tribune News Service, Muktsar, February 3

Sham Singh Attariwala Gurdwara Chote Sabraon

Amritsar, Punjab: Even as the state government declared to commemorate the martyrdom day of legendary Sikh General Sham Singh Attari at the state level, the General Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala Trust demanded that the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari be named after him.

The trust submitted the demand to Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike who was the chief guest on the 168th martyrdom day of the Sikh General. col. harinder singh attariwalaIt pointed out that the absence of security measures and maintenance of India Gate located on the Amritsar-Chheharta bypass, where a huge statue of Sham Singh Attari had been installed, was still a serious concern. Col Harinder Singh, general secretary of the trust and descendent of Sham Singh Attari, said improper maintenance was giving a poor picture to thousands of tourists who visited the Attari-Wagah joint check post for watching Retreat Ceremony. He said all the llights and electrical fittings had been damaged or stolen with the result that the area was in total darkness.

The trust also urged the government to stage a ‘Light and Sound’ programme on a daily basis at the water site of the memorial complex at Attari. It also appealed to the government to restore the original name of Attari railway station.

Gulzar Singh Ranike, Cabinet minister, and others also pay tributes at the venue.

Meanwhile rich tributes were paid to legendary Sikh General Sham Singh Attari during a state-level function organised to mark this 168th martyrdom day here today.Floral tributes were paid to the Sikh General at India Gate while bhog of Akhand Path was organised situated at his native border village Attari. Sham Singh Attari fought British with valour and got martyrdom on this day in 1846 at Sabhrawan.

Sham Singh Attariwala was a general for the Sikh Empire and is famous for his last stand at the Battle of Sobraon. He joined the Sikh military in 1817 and during the Afghan-Sikh Wars participated in the Battle of Attock, Battle of Multan, Battle of Peshewar, and the 1819 Kashmir expedition. His daughter was married to Prince Nau Nihal Singh and he served on the council of regency for Maharajah Dalip Singh.

Pakistan Government aims to restore the dilapidated smadh of Bhai Vasti Ram

Amit Rajat Gauri, a 41-year-old local businessman, had only heard about his family legacy until fate gave him a chance to claim it, at least a slice of it.

Gauri, a descendant of Bhai Vasti Ram, a famous saint and spiritual guide of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, recently received two marble slabs from the saint's shrine located on the outskirts of Lahore. He gives credit to his Pakistani friend Waseem Altaf for reviving this linkage spanning over 200 years.

A recent decision by the Pakistan government to restore the shrine prompted Amit to contact his friend to help him reconnect to his ancestry. "When I heard that the Pakistan government has decided to restore the shrine and temple of Jhingar Shah Suthra near Lahore Fort, I asked Altaf, who is a celebrated blogger in Pakistan, to travel to the site. He went there and procured two marbles slabs from Bhai Vasti Ram's tomb and sent it across to me," Gauri said.

Amit Gauri and his son Saaz with a painting of Bhai Vasi Ram, now flanked by two marble slabs from his tomb

"I feel indebted to my friend. The stones were lying dumped in the open. These might be pieces of slabs from a ruin for the world, but for us it's a family treasure," he said.

"My grandfather Inder Singh, who was principal of Khalsa College, Amritsar, used to share stories of how the shrine came into existence. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who was a devout follower of Bhai Vasti Ram, raised the samadh outside the Lahore Fort facing Minar-e-Pakistan,” he said.

About Bhai Vasti Ram

Bhai Vasti Ram was the son of Bhai Bulaka Singh who is said to have accompanied Guru Gobind Singh to the south in 1707. Bhai Vasti Ram settled in Lahore after that journey. He was the spiritual guide of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who had credited success in the Battle of Bhasin (1800) to his guidance. He died in 1802 at the age of 94.

Neha Saini, Tribune news service, Amritsar, February 13

Pak Sikhs move to bring back Guru Granth Sahib 'saroop' from India

AMRITSAR: For the first time since Partition, Sikhs in Pakistan have decided to initiate a movement to bring back 'saroop' (embodiment) of Guru Granth Sahib, which was installed at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib till 1921. The demand came a day after Sikh clerics gave 'karsewa' (voluntary service) of damaged 'saroops' to Baba Narinder Singh and Baba Balwinder Singh of Gurdwara Langar Sahib, Hazoor Sahib (Nanded), 93 years after the massacre at Nankana Sahib on February 21, 1921.

While stating that it is never too late to take decisions on such religious issues, the chairman of Baba Guru Nanak Welfare Society, Pakistan and former president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), Bishan Singh, told TOI on Tuesday, "The 'saroop' belongs to Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and it should be installed there only."

He said Sikh organizations in Pakistan have decided to take up the issue with the country's minority ministry and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB, a body that manages Sikh and Hindu religious properties, to start the movement for bringing back the 'saroop; from India. However, he hailed the initiative of Sikh clerics for undertaking preservation of the historic 'saroop'.

He informed that PSGPC was dissolved after the expiry of its president's term a couple of months ago and the new body would be constituted within a few weeks. "Once the new body comes into existence, we will hold a meeting of its members and pass resolution to bring back the 'saroop' from India," said Bishan, who is also chairman, minority welfare organization. He said Sikhs from around the world visit Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and it was the only appropriate place to install the 'saroop' where it belonged.

Expressing difference with the demand of Pak Sikh body, the Jathedar of Akal Takht - Sikh's supreme temporal seat - Gurbachan Singh said the 'saroop' was in possession of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which emerged after the gurdwara reform movement, so it was the centre of Sikh religious movements. "Instead, we have issued an appeal to Sikhs of the world to hand over any article or historical 'saroops' of Guru Granth Sahib to SGPC. How the 'saroop' could be given to PSGPC," he asked.

Yudhvir Rana, TNN | Feb 19, 2014

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar felicitate Bhai Gurmej Singh in Amritsar.

Akal Takht felicitated three Sikhs for their contribution to their respective fields at a programme in the Golden Temple Complex here today.

Former hazuri raagi Bhai Gurmej Singh, who prepared the bir of Guru Granth Sahib in Braille, was bestowed with the title of ‘Sikh Rattan’, while noted Sikh historian Kirpal Singh was conferred the title of ‘Professor of Sikhism’. Former hazuri raagi Bhai Amrik Singh Zakhmi was awarded with ‘Shiromani Raagi’ award posthumously. Bhai Harjot Singh Zakhmi received the award on behalf of his father.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh presented them a silver plaque, a sword, a shawl and a siropa (robe of honour). The Akal Takht Jathedar said Bhai Gurmej Singh made untiring efforts to transliterate Guru Granth Sahib in Braille and spent his entire life in the propagation of Gurbani. “Kirpal Singh did a commendable work in the field of Sikh history and research while contributing to the propagation of Sikhism across the globe,” he said.

The Akal Takht Jathedar said Bhai Amrik Singh Zakhmi carried forward the tradition of performing Gurbani kirtan on the basis of raagas.

Tribune News Service, Amritsar, February 17

Putting an end to a 13-year-long dispute, judicial magistrate Pamelpreet Grewal dismissed a petition filed by Beant Singh Sandhawalia, seeking directions to declare him descendant of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Beant Singh, a resident of Amritsar, had died during the pendency of the suit; the case is now being pursued by his sons.

He had moved the court in August 2001, seeking directions to declare him "nearest descendant" of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or the "nearest collateral" of the Maharaja.

Beant Singh had moved the court, after the Punjab government had decided to honour the descendants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 2001, while celebrating 300 years of the coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was upset at the decision of the government not to include him in the list of the persons to be honoured.

Following the filing of the suit, to avoid a controversy, the Punjab government had abandoned the idea of honouring the descendants.

In his petition, Beant Singh had claimed that his father Pritam Singh was adopted by Sophia Alexandra Dalip Singh, who is granddaughter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The claim was strongly contested by one of the descendants, Kanwar Kavinder Pal Singh. In an affidavit filed before the court, Kavinder Pal claimed that Pritam Singh was never adopted by Sophia though Pritam Singh's father had been pressing her to adopt him. Sophia who died a spinster though had willed some money to Pritam Singh but was reclutant to adopt him, and had agreed to fund the education of one of the children, the affidavit pointed out.

"The case has been dismissed, though the grounds of dismissal would be clear only after the copy of order is made available," said advocate Harish Bhardwaj, who appeared on behalf of the descendants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The suit had placed heavy reliance on history books to prove the claims as well as counter-claims.

Shailee Dogra, Hindustan Times
Chandigarh, February 21, 2014

Workers excavating the well at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj

After nearly 157 years, the mortal remains of freedom fighters were dug out from a well at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj, Ajnala, near Amritsar when a team of volunteers, historians and gurdwara management committee started an excavation on its own, as the site is not protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The excavation began with multi-religion prayers in the gurdwara precincts at 11 am on Friday and the first relic appeared after digging to the depth of 7 feet at 2.13 pm, which raised curiosity in everyone present at the site. Slowly, broken skulls, jaws, leg and arm bones were found and history started unfolding.

"This is a great achievement, but unfortunately the government has not shown any interest to give due honour to the martyrs of India's first freedom struggle that began in 1857," sais president of Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj, Shaheeda Wala Khu, Amarjit Singh Sarkaria.

The work was originally planned in 2012 but structural problems delayed the excavation.

After it was established that the mortal remains of freedom fighters were buried in a well over which a gurdwara was erected, the gurdwara management committee decided to dismantle the gurdwara building and constructed a new gurdwara last year."These are our great Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives for us," said Sarkaria, adding that it becomes our duty to give them due honour and respect after their death.

"Till 5 pm, we dug to the depth of 11 feet and we can estimate finding of remains of nearly 22 soldiers, though we have recovered only two broken skulls," said historian Surinder Kochar. They would again begin excavation of the well on Saturday and finish the excavation likely by Saturday evening, whereafter they would perform the last rites of the mortal remains of the soldiers, he said."We will place the relics in glass boxes for people to pay their respect and would expect government to give them their due honour," he added.

Many skeleton parts were recovered in the excavation.

Kochar said that the relics of nearly 282 brave Indian soldiers, who dared to challenge the British regime during India's first freedom struggle in 1857, were buried in a well which was earlier known as Kalian Wala Khu (well of blacks), but later, the gurdwara management committee changed the name to Shaheedan Wala Khu (martyrs' well).

History

According to historians, after the news of outbreak of freedom struggle in Meerut and Delhi spread, the 26th Native Infantry Regiment posted at Mian Mir, near Lahore, was disarmed on May 13, 1857, and placed under surveillance. On July 30, soldiers of the regiment, under the leadership of Parkash Pandey, killed a British major and a sergeant major and headed towards Ajnala. History reveals that the soldiers bravely crossed the nearby flooded Ravi river and reached the adjoining Ajnala town. However, acting on a tip-off, Fredric Cooper, the then deputy commissioner of Amritsar, ordered that all of them be put in a cage-like room of the Old Tehsil, where about 200 soldiers died of asphyxiation. The rest of them were shot the next morning and their bodies were dragged and thrown in a well, which later came to be known as Kalain Wala Khu.

VIDEO

See video programme on the excavation of the well ( Kalian Wala Khu). Courtesy of PTC News.

One of Singapore’s oldest cemeteries “Bukit Brown” has 2 Sikh statues of Sikh guards next to a grave belonging to a prominent Chinese physician Chew Geok Leong who died in 1939. It is documented at the grave site that he had the statues made while he was alive, so that after he died these statues would literally guard his tomb.

The Chinese tradition of the particular community is that after they have physically died they make statues of basically anything that they think will protect them in the “other world”. This Chinese physician was so amazed by the valor, courage and bravery of Sikhs that he wanted Sikh soldiers to protect him in the “other world”. Sikhs don’t believe in graves, but the fact is, this person recognized Sikhs is a big honor.

Sikhs fought in various wars and campaigns for the British empire. During WW-1, Sikhs fought in China, France and Belgium (Flanders), Mesopotamia against Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Palestine, Gallipoli and in east Africa. In World War-2 Sikh soldiers fought in the western desert, in the middle east, in Eritrea, Ethiopia, they fought in Italy and took part in the liberation of Greece. But against Japan in the east, British Indian Army played its greatest role right through from the reverses of 1942 to the final overwhelming victory of 1945.

Besides this, more than quarter of a million were wounded, ill, or taken as prisoners of war.

In the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world, and during shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith.”

Sacrifices of Sikh soldiers

Ist World War (1914-1918): 80,482
2nd World War (1939-1945): 89,218
Total: 169,700

Information by Bhupinder Singh Holland.

Sirdar Kapur Singh, National Professor of Sikhism, author of Sachi Sakhi, Prasharprashana, at the launch of Panj Kaunsali Akali Dal at Patiala.

Reminiscing the role and contribution of political thinker and ideologue Sirdar Kapur Singh, Sikh seminary and political groups touched upon various facets of the life and times of Sirdar Kapur Singh. The occasion was 105th birth anniversary of the former ICS and Sikh stalwart.

The underlying theme of all discussions and deliberations at the seminar organized by Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP) hovered around the contribution of Sirdar Kapur Singh towards evolving, enunciating and elucidating the concept of Sikh doctrinal sovereignty.

Dal Khalsa president Harcharnjit Singh Dhami, SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli, SYP spokesperson Prabhjot Singh, Panch Pardani leader Mandhir Singh, former minister Manjit Singh Calcutta and other contributions dwelled extensively on his life, contribution and political thought.

SGPC executive member Panjoli told the audience that he is the only Sikh on which the title of ‘National Professor of Sikhism’ was bestowed by Akal Takht Sahib honouring his profound scholarship of Sikh religio-political thought and his clear espousal of the Sikh cause.

Congregation at the birth anniversary of Sirdar Kapur Singh

He was described as an encyclopedia of world knowledge, who had mastered ancient scripts and modern scientific scholarship and methodology. He was not only a writer but a fighter too, who fought for the Sikh cause at all forums available to him, said he.

Recalling the times spent with him,former minister Manjit Singh Calcutta said that, Sirdar Sahib will always remain an inspiration to those who want to see the Khalsa flag unfurl with full glory on this planet.

Prabhjot Singh said the political sovereignty of the Sikhs cannot be compromised.

A large number of Sikh youth, including those from Sikh Youth of Punjab, who attended the Seminar, were visibly happy at the conclusions drawn at the meet as it provided them an opportunity to imbibe the vast knowledge of Sirdar Kapur Singh.

The gathering urged the SGPC to build auditorium and library in the name of Kapur Singh.

PARMJIT SINGH,March 2, 2014

Sword bearing the name of Ranjit Singh

One of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s most significant heirlooms will be sold to the highest bidder when it is auctioned later this month in the English county of Shropshire.

The inscription in Gurmukhi on the blade of early19th century sword is dated and says. ‘Ranjit Singh Lahore.’ Mullock’s Auctioneers, who are organising the sale, says the sword has until now been in the possession of an English family of military descent.

“The sword was brought for inclusion in our regular sales of important Indian documents and artefacts and it was originally thought to be an Islamic sword belonging to a Moghul Prince,” said Richard Westwood-Brookes of Mullock’s who will sell the sword on March 18. “However, once we had researched the design it became obvious to us that it was a potentially unique piece, with historic connections to the most famous of all the rulers of the Punjab.”

Mullock’s have been told that the sword or ‘talwar’ could possibly have been a gift to the Maharaja or presented by him to a fellow noble at his court in Lahore. It is expected to fetch a minimum of £10,000-£15,000 (Rs 10 lakh to 15 lakh)

“The fine craftsmanship on the sword indicates that it was certainly of a very high status, and there are also indications that when it was first made, the hilt was covered in gold and as such at the time of the Maharaja it must have been a most spectacular piece,” added Richard Westwood-Brookes. “Items which date from the time of the Maharaja and bear indications of a direct link to him are obviously of the greatest rarity, and we are expecting great interest from around the world.”

The Mullocks catalogue describes it as:

'Sword inscribed Maharajah Ranjit Singh – early 19th century Northern India curved talwar sword inscribed in Punjabi script inside the hilt ‘Akal Sahai Ranjit Singh Lahore’ and dated. The sword has remnants of what seems gold pitted around the hilt. The blade has an engraved silhouette on the upper part nearing the hilt depicting Ranjit Singh seated beside a cushion and inscribed ‘Ranjit Singh’ beneath it.' The dating however is not clear.

Other features of the forthcoming auction include a military bugle with a letter from the bandmaster of the Kashmir State, saying that it was used in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Also in the sale is a rare copy of the Chronicles of the Lahore Durbar, the Travel Memoir of Godfrey Vigne to the Court of Ranjit Singh and a two volume set of ‘A Year on the Punjab Frontier’ by Herbert Edwardes which belonged to Sir John Lawrence, Viceroy of India from 1864-69, and containing handwritten notes by the author’s wife.

Other items include photographs and documents of the Punjab States, and important documents, including a memorandum on the widow and son of Maharaja Sher Singh and a rare first-hand account of the Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh written by his colleague.

Visit: http://www.mullocksauctions.co.uk/

Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian

PATIALA: Professor Harbans Singh Department of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism of Punjabi University, Patiala, organised Sardarni Kailash Kaur Memorial Lecture in the university on 5th-7th March 2014.

A renowned Sikh scholar Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian presented his lecture on the topic Religious Understanding and Social Harmony – Nanak’s way. S. Gurbir Singh Brar delivered a special lecture on this occasion and Dr. Gurnek Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, presided over the Lecture. Sant Baba Jodh Singh Ji of Rishikesh graced the occasion with his presence.

Focusing on the topic Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian said that Guru Nanak stressed the need of religious harmony that starts from within. Harmony of religions should be measured from religious tolerance.
To recognize and respect the existence of other religions and defending their cause if need be is real spirit of harmony. To maintain communal harmony, both majority communities and minorities have to work together to create an atmosphere of acceptance and harmony.

In his special lecture S. Gurbir Singh Brar highlighted the glory of Nihang Singhs who kept the flame of freedom burning even in the adverse socio-religious situation. They proved themselves as the real custodians of the ideology of Guru Granth Sahib and created a spirit of brotherhood and harmony in the society.

Dr Paramvir Singh

In his presidential address, Dr. Gurnek Singh acclaimed Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian for giving such a brilliant lecture on Religious Understanding on the basis of Guru Granth Sahib and S. Gurbir Singh Brar for presenting a slide show focusing social harmony created by Nihang Singhs in the 18th century.
While sharing his experiences of the Department he said that the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, four volumes, is an authentic and monumental work produced by Prof Harbans Singh. This commendable effort of the Department has highlighted the spirit of Sikhism in the globe.

Dr. Paramvir Singh, HOD, gave a detailed introduction about the theme and importance of the Memorial lecture. Jan Brzezinski from Canada, Dr. Swaraj Singh, USA, Professor D.A. Gangadhar, BHU, Varanasi, Dr. Deepali Bhanot, S. Harinderpal Singh, Chairman, Gurmat College Delhi, Dr. Narinder Kumar, Dr. Anekant Kumar Jain, Bhavna Malik, Delhi, along with number of faculty members and students were present on this occasion. Prof. Jodh Singh proposed the vote of thanks.

2nd Max Arthur Macauliffe Conference,University College Cork, Ireland
Saturday 22 March, 2014

Following on from last year’s successful ‘Representing Sikhism’ conference held to mark the centenary of Max Arthur Macauliffe’s death, this year’s Macauliffe conference at UCC aims to highlight the most recent and emerging trends and developments in Sikh & Punjabi Studies, contributions come in particular from early-career academics, postdocs and advanced PhD students, but also from any scholars whose work promises to break new ground in Sikh & Punjabi studies.

The various themes include

* Translating Sikhism
* Poetry and Performance
* European Sikhs

Scholars giving papers include: Gurinder Singh Mann, (Editor of Sikh Nugget:), Jaspreet Kaur, Manpreet Kaur, Prabhsharandeep Singh, Gorby Jandu, Sabrina Pastorelli.

Register for the Sikh Conference.

More information can be found on the University College, Cork Website.

Akal Takht to honour Dr Kirpal Singh

Belgian expert takes stock of ancient ‘beri’ at Golden Temple

Historian depicts Maharaja Ranjit Singh's regime through exhibition

SGPC finally decides to digitise manuscripts

UK academics pen letter to Sharif asking to preserve Sikh shrines

Pen-tacular-artist: The Sikh with the magical touch

Book Launch: The Resourceful Fakirs – Three Muslim Brothers at the Sikh court of Lahore

Book Launch and Lecture

Fakir Syed Aijazuddin

The book is available from:

Restoration work within Harimandir Sahib continues

Guru Gobind Singh Marg, Dashmesh Pillars face neglect

Martyrdom day of General Sham Singh Attariwala observed in Punjab

Descendants of Bhai Vasti Ram get connected to their heritage

Pakistan Sikhs want historic Guru Granth Sahib saroop back from SGPC

Akal Takht honours prominent Sikhs

Plea on claim of being Ranjit Singh's descendant dismissed

Martyrs of the Mutiny of 1857 found after historic well dug up.

VIDEO

Sikh statues: Tombstone guards

Sikh leaders & intellectuals lauded role of political thinker/ ideologue Sirdar Kapur Singh

Sword with Ranjit Singh inscriptions to be sold off at Auction

International Seminar on Religious Understanding and Social Harmony 2014

2nd Max Arthur Macauliffe Sikh Conference, Ireland 2014