Battle Of Chamakuar (1704) | War

Table of Contents

SIKH GURUS

Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539) – He was the founder of Sikh Religion.
Guru Angad (1539-1552) – He started Gurumukhi language that is the writing script Sikh Religion.
Guru Amardas (1552-1574) – He demolished many social evils like stoppage of child marriage, widow re-marriage etc.
Guru Ramdas (1574-1581) – He discovered the Amritsar city by contributing 500 villages. Akbar had gifted him these villages.
Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606) – He built Golden Temple and also wrote Aadigranth. At last, he was executed by Emperor Jahangir.
Guru Hargobind (1606-1645) – He placed Akal Takht in the Golden Temple.
Guru Har Rai (1645-1661)
Guru Harikishan (1661-1664) – Many schools were built across the country by the names of Hari Kishan.
Guru Tegbahadur (1664-1675) – Emperor Aurangzeb sentenced his death.
Guru Gobind Singh (1675-1708) – He started Khalsa Panth.

Panj Pyare is the name collectively given to the five Sikh men, Bhai Dhaya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic divan Anandpur Sahib on 14 April 1699.
They formed the nucleus of the Khalsa, as the first batch to receive khanda di Pahul, i.e. rites of the two-edged sword.

Guru Gobind Singh jee and his beloved Sikhs left Sri Anandpur Sahib on the bitter cold and rainy night of December 5 1704 after a prolonged siege by the Mughal and Hindu Hill chieftains’ armies.
The Mughals and Hindu Hill chieftains had offered Guru Sahib a safe passage to leave Anandpur Sahib on an oath on the Qu’ran by emperor Aurangzeb and an oath on the cow (which Hindus consider as sacred) by the hill chieftains.

In the early hours of the morning at the river Sarsa, the Guru and his Sikhs were attacked by the Mughal army under the command of Wazir Khan, breaking their oath of assuring safe conduct.
A group of Singhs fought the armies and kept them back while the rest of the Sikhs, During the confusion in crossing the River Sarsa, Guru Sahib was separated from his family. Guru jee, his two eldest sons and 40 Sikhs were able to cross the river.

On 20 December 1704 Guru Sahib and the 40 Singhs camped in an open space in Ropar. Bhai Budhi Chand who owned a Haveli (open house) in the town of Chamkaur visited Guru Sahib and offered his home and family at the feet of the Guru.
An army of 100,000 are pursuing Guru Sahib and planning to attack the place where they are staying.
Nawab Wazir Khan, announced outside the fort of Chamkaur, “Gobind Singh! If you and your Sikhs come out now, you will be spared!” Guru Sahib replied to this with rain of arrows.

There was a chill in the air and morning had not yet come. A Mughal messenger came to see Guru Sahib to negotiate with Sikhs. However, Guru Sahib told the messenger to go away or face death. Inside the four walls of the mud-house Guru Sahib declared war.
The Nawab was astonished at what these Singhs were made of. One Sikh equalled Sava Lakh (125,000).

Baba Ajeet Singh jee now went before Guru Sahib.Guru Gobind Singh jee hugged his beloved son and gave him a Shastra (weapon). A beard or moustache had yet not grown on Baba Ajeet Singh jee’s face, showing how young he was.
The sun was about to come out. Guru jee saw that Nawab Wazir Khan wanted to take hold of the fort of Chamkaur in one attempt. The Nawab surrounded the fort with his armies.

Baba Ajeet Singh jee boldly and valiantly came out of fort, accompanied with 8 other Singhs, which included one of the original Panj Piarey, Bhai Mohkam Singh jee. Guru jee watched the battle scene from the top of the fort. There was silence on all four sides.
Baba Ajeet Singh jee advanced on the battlefield and displayed weaponry skills with great courage and bravery.

The army surrounded the Sahibzada on four sides. Now as the army surrounded Baba jee, Guru jee watched. When Baba jee attained Shaheedi, Guru Sahib roared a Jaikara of “Sat Siree Akal.”
The news of Baba Ajeet Singh jee attaining Shaheedi (martyrdom) spread. Hearing the news of his brother, Baba Jujhar Singh jee now desired to fight in the battlefield.
Guru Sahib gave blessings to Baba Jujhar Singh jee .Bhai Himmat Singh jee and Bhai Sahib Singh jee , along with 3 other Singhs accompanied Sahibzada Baba Jujhar Singh jee. The Mughals were shocked at what they saw. It looked as if Ajeet Singh had come back.

Dead bodies lay everywhere. The army assembled to kill Baba Jujhar Singh jee. Guru jee saw that Baba jee was being surrounded and the opportunity to kill the Mughal soldiers was decreasing.
Guru Sahib gave Protection Fire with arrows, but none of the 5 singhs or Baba jee were hit or injured by the arrows. Baba jee and the 5 Singhs demonstrated the Sikh concept of one equalling “Sava Lakh” (125,000).
Baba Jujhar Singh eventually was able to break the ring of the Mughal army soldiers surrounding him. Baba jee then attained Shaheedi. There were a total of 10 Singhs left.

Millions of rupees were spent in this mission. The Mughal army killed tens of thousands in number but could not achieve success in their goal. Sikhs’ valour and courage was prominent in the battle. They not only fought with courage but also managed to save their Guru and their legacy.
This Battle truly exemplifies Sikhs as a fearless and furious group whom you may behead, but you cannot make their heads drop with shame. Their victory is written all over Chamkaur and the whole of India will remember their sacrifice.