Blue not to be worn?

Vaheguru jee ka khalsa|
Vaheguru jee kee fateh|

Sangat jee,

I was pulled away by an older person recently and told that I should not wear blue chola/dastar. Researched online and found this:

[www.sikh-heritage.co.uk]

I know this is an anti-panthic site, but can someone clarify or provide a response to this question/challenge?

Vaheguru jee ka khalsa|
Vaheguru jee kee fateh|

I read the first couple of paragraphs of this article, and there was so much B.S. I couldnt continue to read this load of garbage.

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In Assa-di-Vaar, the following words "Neel Bastar Ley Kaprey Pahrey, Turk Pathani Amal Kiya." - meaning that (people) started wearing blue clothes and started following the ways of the Turks. It clearly denotes that the blue garments were worn by the Muslims.

The verses of Asa Di Vaar have been twisted around without taking the historical context into consideration.

ਨੀਲ ਵਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਹਿਰਿ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥
ਮਲੇਛ ਧਾਨੁ ਲੇ ਪੂਜਹਿ ਪੁਰਾਣੁ ॥

The following practice is given reference to the Kshatris who renounced the beliefs of their religion ( specifically the Puranas) and adopted the beliefs of Islam. The verse ਨੀਲ ਵਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਹਿਰਿ does not mean the Kshastris were the blue color of the Muslims it means they no longer strictly heeded to the code of the Puranas. According to the Puranans, wearing the color blue while eating is a sin. These Kshatris were mixing their beliefs meaning they were choosing beliefs at their own convenience and Guru Sahib is pointing out their cowardness and hypocrisy.


Generally speaking, traditional Muslims do not wear blue attire . There is no Islamic country that I know of wear Muslims clerics were the color blue. Some times they wear light blue for prayers on Friday, but they definitely do not wear dark blue. Light blue and light green is popular in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan.. Generally speaking the color white and green are popular amongst Muslims. The color black is worn by a sect an ascetic Sufis as the color black symbolizes abandoning the world.

We are getting mixed up between the colors kala and nila. Kala means black and nila means blue. The Khalsa did not wear black they wore dark blue. There is a great difference between the two colors. Guru Kia Sakhian mentions how a devoted Gursikh women made Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji some wonderful dark akali blue ( surmai) bana. . During the Ucha Da Pir episode he wore this bana as the color was similar to the dark black of the Sufis. Guru Sahib always wore blue, but the point here is that he didnt have special sufi garb to blend in or camalflouge himself as a Sufi. The Bana was alerady made by a Gursikh.

Notice how the author on the article tries to associate the color blue with black.

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"Attire of Kalyuga!

In the sixty first sakhi of the Sau Sakhi, there is this episode about Kalyuga meeting with Guru Nanak, which is as under:-

"Once early in the morning Kaliyuga manifested himself far away from the city, in a terrible form for the sight of Guru Nanak (as recorded in the Janam Sakhi). He had his naked organ of procreation in one hand and the tasteful tongue in the other; he had blue garments on his body.""

I have read the Kaljug Sakhi mentioned both in Suraj Parkash and Bhai Bala Jis Janamsakhi there is no mention of Kaljug wearing blue. He is in the color black.

It is common knowledge that Guru Sahib was dressed in blue during Amrit Sanchar and he dressed the Panj Pyaarey in Blue as well. There are many references of blue being the color of the Khalsa. The following article provides many references how the Khalsa wore blue.[www.tapoban.org]

Cool response by Bhai Sukhdeep Singh Jee - spot on

Excellent response veerji. Maybe neel may also be referred to as the color green? Something to think about.

[gurmatbibek.com]
[www.panthkhalsa.org]

Prachin panth parkash states

The colour red which the Guru had forbidden, arrogantly he (Banda Bahadur) had his followers dress in this... They stopped the practise of wearing blue clothes and even on their heads wore red turbans.’ (Pracchin Panth Parkash, Part 1, Page 376)

Many European observers make reference to the colour blue, noting that it was ordained by the Tenth Guru and maintained primarily by the Akali/Nihang Sikhs.

historian Davy Cunningham notes:

‘Besides the regular confederacies, with their moderate degree of subordination, there was a body of men who threw off all subjection to earthly governors, and who peculiarly represented the religious element of Sikhism. These were the ‘Akalis’, or immortals, or rather the soldiers of God, who, with their blue dress and bracelets of steel, claimed for themselves the direct institution of (Guru) Gobind Singh.’ (History of the Sikhs, page 110)

Prachin panth parkash states that discarding blue color and donning red color by Banda singh was one of the main cause of differences between Tat khalsa and bandai khalsa.Other main casue was substituting Waheguru ji ka khalsa by fateh darshan.

Episode 60
The red robes which the Guru had prohibited him from wearing,
He ( BaNDA SINGH) started wearing those very robes out of obduracy.
Doing away with the Guru-ordained greetings “Waheguru ji ki Fateh”,
He introduced his own brand of greetings “Fateh Darshan”. (32)



The Factional Fight Between (Tat Khalsa) Singhs and Bandhayee Singhs
They declared “Fateh Darshan” against Khalsa’s “Waheguru ji ki Fateh”,
They were Bishnois against Khalsa’s casteless fraternity.
They donned red robes against Khalsa’s rejection of such robes,
The Khalsa donned blue robes against their dislike of blue robes. (14)

Episode 60
Miri Singh, who was the eldest son of Baba Kahan Singh,
Had participated in a wrestling bout against the Bandhayee Singhs.
He used to remain in the close company of Guru Gobind Singh,
Whom the Guru had initiated with his own hands. (61)

He observed wearing blue robes and steel rings,
And never associated with Meenas, Masands and those indulging in female infanticide.
He never had any dealings with the followers of Ram Rai,
And would harass and kill those belonging to Banda Singh’s faction. (62)

The Factional Fight Between (Tat Khalsa) Singhs and Bandhayee Singhs
Donning the blue robes and steel rings,
He followed the initiated Singhs code of conduct.
Reciting the Sikh scriptures and making prayers everyday,
He did not shirk from fighting and rioting (against his enemies). (3)
l

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The colour red which the Guru had forbidden, arrogantly he (Banda Bahadur) had his followers dress in this... They stopped the practise of wearing blue clothes and even on their heads wore red turbans.’ (Pracchin Panth Parkash, Part 1, Page 376)

There are many things which Pracchin Panth Parkash says about Banda Singh Bahadur which are not true. Some of the claims are ludricous. The aboive quote is one of them. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji personally gave leadership and sent Baba ji up north to free Punjab and take revenge for the sahibzadeys death. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji personally gave him the name of banda ( slave) and Bahadur( brave). How can someone fall when they have the hand of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on their head?

Sukhdeep Singh Wrote:
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> The colour red which the Guru had forbidden,
> arrogantly he (Banda Bahadur) had his followers
> dress in this... They stopped the practise of
> wearing blue clothes and even on their heads wore
> red turbans.’ (Pracchin Panth Parkash, Part 1,
> Page 376)
>
> There are many things which Pracchin Panth Parkash
> says about Banda Singh Bahadur which are not true.
> Some of the claims are ludricous. The aboive quote
> is one of them. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
> personally gave leadership and sent Baba ji up
> north to free Punjab and take revenge for the
> sahibzadeys death. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
> personally gave him the name of banda ( slave) and
> Bahadur( brave). How can someone fall when they
> have the hand of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on their
> head?

Though not related to thread it is important to mention that when he was sent to Punjab there was a council of Panj
piaras sent with him to advise him.As time went by he ignored them in decision making.

I agree with Veer Sukhdeep Singh that Bhangu has not written correct in his Pracheen Panth Prakash. There are many blunders in his history but the greatest of all is his serious slander of Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadur. Most of the Sikhs who hold negative views about Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadur, have this opinion about Baba jee because of Bhangu.

Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadur was one of the greatest Sikh leader of all times. He avenged the Shaheedis of Sahibzaadas by punishing the aggressors. He won pretty much whole of present day Punjab and Haryana yet he did not have even an iota of lust for ruling. He used to win a territory and hand it over to Khalsa and never assumed the role of a king. He was the first Sikh to issue Khalsa coins and no where on the coin he let his own name be carved but only allowed Siri Guru Nanak Dev jee's and Siri Guru Gobind Singh jee's names on there.

Some naive historians accuse him of disobeying Guru Sahib's Hukam of not getting married. This is such a lame allegation. How could Guru Sahib give him Hukam to not get married, when all Guru Sahibaan were Themselves married? This is totally a baseless allegation.

Some accuse Baba Banda Singh of trying to assume the role of Guru Sahib but this too is a false statement. There is no historical evidence to prove this. Most of these allegations were made by Rattan Singh Bhangu, who had a severe bias for Baba jee. Even modern day historians like Sardar Karam Singh Historian made baseless statements for Baba jee e.g. that he did not take Amrit etc.

Baba Binod Singh and Kahn Singh, in my opinion were wimps and cowards, for deserting the battlefield of Gurdas-Nangal. They sought refuge from the Lahore Darbar which was a shameful thing to do. One of their descendants I believe was Bhalla who wrote some negative statements for Baba jee. The traitors Binod Singh and Kahn Singh had to justify their actions and they did so by making a villain out of Baba Banda Singh jee.

I have full Shardha that Baba jee was a Brahmgyani Gurmukh. Even his most bitter opponents and Nindaks like Sardar Bhangu have written that Baba jee had great Bhagti and all his Vaaks (statements) came out true. The Sikhs in Sirhind were losing the battle against Vazir Khan but as soon as Baba jee himself stepped into the battlefield by shooting arrows, the tide tilted in the favour of Khalsa. Can a normal person stay unmoved if his 4 year old son is cut to pieces in his own lap and then the still-pumping heart is put in his mouth? Well this is exactly what happened with Baba jee but Baba jee stayed absorbed in Naam Abhyaas.

Farukhsiyar the Mughal emperor asked Baba jee what kind of death he wanted. Baba jee being a great Gurmukh said that the emperor should give him such death that he wants for himself. Farukhsiyar did not know whom he was talking to. He ordered that Baba jee's eyes be pulled out and every limb be cut to pieces. This is how Baba jee got Shaheedi and this is how Farukhsiyaar too got killed in the hands of the Sayyad Brothers. He was first starved for 2 months and then his eyes were pulled out. In the end he was hacked to death, after two months.

Save the valiant Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh jee, Baba Deep Singh jee and Sardar Hari Singh jee Nalwa, no other Sikh had a presence in the battlefield as strong as Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadur. Today we need someone like Baba Banda Singh jee to lead us out of the quagmire we are stuck in.

Kulbir Singh

An old write up about Baba jee...

Yes, Binod Singh's son refused to run away and wanted to attain martyrdom along with all Singhs. He was captured and taken to Delhi but as per Saroop Daas Bhalla, his family used their influence and got him released whereas all other 700 Singhs attained martyrdom.

The article about Baba Banda Singh on Sikhiwiki is totally misleading. Baba Banda Singh never became Guru. If he had become Guru, then he could not have attained such glorious Shaheedi. He remained a loyal Sikh of Siri Dasmesh jee till the end. What to talk about him becoming Guru, he did not even become a king. He was above such worldly lusts.

The Bandai Khalsa came into being after his Shaheedi. The Mughal intelligence got this propaganda going about Baba jee so that Sikhs don't pursue the noble ideal of establishing the Khalsa Raj. The Sikhs that opposed Baba Banda Singh, had accepted the supremacy of the Lahore Darbar and used to get a grant from them.

Another allegation on Baba jee is that he surrendered. This is totally false. Baba jee stayed at Gurdas-Nangal till all their supplies had exhausted. They had been hungry for days and in the end all Singhs decided to attack the enemy and attain martyrdom. Countless Singhs attained Shaheedi there and many carts full of severed heads of Singhs were taken to Delhi. Baba jee and 700 Singhs were caught alive. So many other Singhs in history got caught alive. This does not mean that they were traitors or that they surrendered. Baba jee would have been wrong if he and other 700 Singhs had given up Sikhi instead of embracing Shaheedi.

The Mughals tried everything to coerce Sikhs into leaving their religion but none of the Sikhs yielded. A person who becomes Bemukh to Guru Sahib can never attain such glorious Shaheedi. Baba jee was a true Sikh. All the writers who have written about him have been either mislead or were malicious in intent. None of these writings are contemporary writings but were written at least 60 years later. His most fierce slanderers and Nindaks wrote all this stuff about him more than 100 years after his Shaheedi.

Here is a short story on Baba jee, written earlier by this Daas:

Baba Banda Singh Jee In Kahiloor

The Khalsa is Bir Rasseya Parupkaaree all the time such is the amazing state of Naam Rasseya Gursikhs of Vaheguroo.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur (Baba Gurbaksh Singh jee) was one of the greatest general in the Sikh history. For many invalid reasons, he does not enjoy the respect and honour that he deserves amongst the Sikhs. He is the one who showed the Sikhs in general that the Pathaan, Moghul or Muslim fighters are not invincible and that the Mughals can be uprooted. He spoke with the tyrants of that time, the language they understood i.e. the language of the sword. He avenged the shahidee of sahibzaadas by punishing the offenders.

He along with his very dedicated companions, conquered a great part of present day Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Himachal Pardesh. He was a very devout Sikh and was a very accomplished Sikh. He was a Sikh of high spiritual stage and Guru Sahib had given him so much power that whatever he said, came true.

Here is a very little heard saakhi to prove how great he was. After conquering Punjab, he moved on to punish the Hill Chieftains who had helped the Mughals against Dhan Guru Gobind Singh jee. He approached Kahiloor area of Hills. Baba jee had in his mind all the atrocities that the Kahiloor kingdom had committed against the Sikhs. He sent a notice to the king of Kahiloor to surrender before the Sikhs.

Hearing the notice of Baba jee, the king of Kahiloor replied back saying that it was impossible for the Sikhs to conquer his kingdom as it was located at very high altitude. He further said that this area was blessed with the Devis (Hindu Goddesses) and that the Sikhs did not have power to reach there.

Baba jee was full of spiritual shakti. Hearing his arrival, the people of Hill kingdoms flocked to him and all of them got their wishes like having children, money and other problems fulfilled. The King of Kahiloor got very jealous of Baba jee and sent forth representatives to talk to Banda jee.

During the conversation between the representatives from Kahiloor and Baba jee, the reps started talking highly of their army. They said that the peasants of Punjab were no match for the sophisticated warriors of their kingdom. Hearing this, Baba jee came in Bir Rass. He replied with full confidence that he was ready to accept their challenge and asked them to have a one on one fight.

They readily accepted it and at this Baba jee in full Jaaho-Jalaal (Bir Rass) told them that only one Singh would fight against their 5 warriors. They asked Baba jee what Baba jee would give in return if he lost. At this Baba jee told them that he would give them abundant money and leave them alone. Then they asked Baba jee what he expected them to do if they lost. At this Baba jee said that Khalsa does not take anything from anyone. He said that he could take whatever he wishes through Satguru jee. Just look at how full-of-Gurmat this reply was. Baba jee said that Khalsa does not take anything from anyone. Vaah!

The reps of the kingdom left and returned the next day with giant looking 5 warriors. Along with them came a small group of army. Now Baba jee decided to choose a singh to fight the giant warriors. He asked 5 Singhs to get together and let him know who should be sent to fight. The five Singhs, looked at one ordinary looking Singh, whose name was Bhai BaaghaR Singh. They recommended that singh for the competition. They placed their hand on his back and asked him to go. Baba jee too placed his hand on his back. As soon as the Singhs and Babab jee placed their hands on his back, Bhai BaaghaR Singh felt a surge of power in his inside.

With this new power Bhai BaaghaR Singh jee excitingly offered to fight not 5 but 500 soldiers alone. He came right in front of the five chosen warriors of the opponent party, and forwarded his right foot. He asked them if anyone of them could move his foot. Hearing this the advocates (reps) who had come with the enemy side, told their warriors not to touch his foot as it was a trick to get them to touch his feet and thus humiliate them.

At this BaaghaR Singh jee said that they will have to fall at his feet anyway. One of the warriors moved his hand forward at Bhai Baaghar Singh jee. Bhai Baaghar Singh jee too moved his hand forward and their hands locked. They were both trying to squeeze each other’s hands. In a few moments, the opponent of Bhai BaaghaR Singh jee started crying with pain. Bhai Baaghar Singh jee had crushed his hand and reduced it to nothing.

Then began the battle between the remaining warriors and Bhai BaaghaR Singh jee. Eventually, all five lay in the feet of Bhai BaaghaR Singh jee.

Such was the glory of Baba jee's Bachan and the Singhs of that time. This is why Baba jee along with the Khalsa, uprooted the kingdom of Mughals. The 800 years old Muslim rule was uprooted.

Kulbir Singh

The fact cann't be denied that Baba Banda singh discarded khalsa salutation of waheguru ji ki fateh by Fateh darshan. Baba Banda singh ji did a remarkable job in the beginning and in the end.But he strayed from path as time went by.

His followers led by Amar singh Nibber came to Harmandir sahib.Nibber was riding an elephant.They wanted to take control of Harmandir sahib.
Even though dispute was setlled amicably.They still fought in parikarma and shed blood.

Whole sikh history is history of Tat Khalsa. Banda singh's followers have a dera near Jammu where many unsikh practices are followed.

One should give credit to him for his contribution to sikh panth and also be prepared to criticize him for his undoings. Why he needed to do away khalsa saluatation is hard to understand.

Substituting khalsa salutation by his own version is not a small thing.

Whole history of sikhs is history of tat khalsa.Bandais have a dera in Jammu area now also
where many unsikh practices are followed.

[www.thesikhen...res]


BANDAI, Posted in Biographical - Sikh Political figures


BANDAI, name given to the followers of the Sikh hero, Banda Singh Bahadur (1670-1716), who regarded him not only as a military leader but also as Guru next to Guru Gobind Singh in spiritual succession. They were opposed and ultimately expelled in 1721 by the mainstream of the Sikhs, the Tatt Khalsa. A small number of Bandai Sikhs still survive. They reverence the Guru Granfh Sahib as their Scripture and most of them also undergo the Khalsa initiatory rites, but Banda Singh Bahadur is for them their eleventh Guru against the common Sikh belief of the spiritual line having ended with Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Master.

References :

1. Gian Singh, Giani, TwarUch Guru Kha/sa. Patiala, 1970
2. Cunningham, Joseph Davey, A History of the Sikhs. London, 1849
3. Ganda Singh, Life of Banda Singh Bahadur. Amritsar, 1935
4. Nripinder Singh, The Sikh Moral Tradition. Delhi, 1990

It is a Ghor Ninda to speak and write against great Sikh General Baba Banda Bhadar Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Jee, who was picked by none else but Sri Dasmesh Jee.

Baba jee's life span in Sikh history is very short mere eight years(1708 to 1716) but he accomplished which is unparalleled in world history.
Facts of last months of his life especailly last moments before his Shaheedi proves that his faith in Sikhi was intact. He didn't commit any Kurehit or went against the Hukam of Guru Sahib.

1) He completely stayed in Naam Rang during his body torture of ripping skin with big pliers. What to write about a extreme torture he went through when his eyes were pulled out with hot rods.
2) He accepted the Bhana of yet another torture when his 4 year old son was cut to pieces in his own lap and child's still-pumping heart was put in his mouth.
3) Even enemy said that Baba Jee words come true no matter what. From where this Akaali Shakti came? Whatever he had said to Mughal emperor Farukhsiyar became true.
4) Hundreds of Sikhs attained Shaheedi before and after his Shaheedi, no one gave up Sikhi. This also proves that Sikhs considered Himself as their leader and dire to attain Shaheedi together with Him.

Had he committed any Kurehat or went against the Guru Sahib's Hukam his Akaali powers would have vanished and he could't have achieved the glorious Shaheedi.

In light of above facts, it is crystal clear that Baba Banda Bhadar stayed in line with Gurub Sahib's Hukam till his last breath. Speaking against him is Ghor Ninda.

I've noticed a trend that outside of Akhand Kirtani Jatha, some Gurmukhs are seriously slandered and lots of stories are made up about them which are never true. It's only in AKJ where Gursikhs are actually respected and revered. Such nindaks haven't even spared a Gurmukh pyaare Shaheed Bhai Sahib Bhai Mani Singh Ji. Such pathetic and baseless stories have been carved about Bhai Sahib stating that he was cut joint by joint because he desecrated Gurbaani, which isn't true. Don't ever believe such lies which are spread about highly achieved Gurmukhs.
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur had received the thaapra of Dasmesh Pita and was blessed with Akaali powers which shook the very foundation of Mughal empire. He avenged the Shaheedi of Chotey Sahibzaadey and always remained in Bhana. He was always absorbed in Naam Rangs. How can someone speak so lowly about him?
Only nindaks will slander him and make up stories about him. Those who are enemies of the Khalsa Panth would do such a heinous deed.

VJKK VJKF


Isn't there enough support here and amongst other jathas to petition for websites such as sikhiwki to get the story of Banda Singh Bahadur changed - or at least as a balanced view to present the view aboves also on the same site. This can be achieved I believe but we all need to petition together - anyone up for it????

To state historical facts is not Ninda. Likewise Baba Binod Singh ji was descendant of Guru Angad dev ji.He was one of the panj
piaras sent by Guru ji along Baba Banda singh.

He remained with Baba Banda singh through thick and thin. When encircled in garhi of Gurdas Nangal, he advised Baba banda singh
to make a pincer move and escape as sikhs under Baba banda singh had done when encircled in their fort near Sadhaura.Baba ji
did not want to do it.

Baba Binod singh ji made a pincer move and escaped. He is the one who led sikhs later.

Bhai rattan singh Bhanghu was a grandson of Bhai Mehtab singh mirankot.He had first hand knowledge
himself of sikh situation .We should not fault such Gursikhs.

There are two points in regards to Baba Banda singh.

1) Did he introduce "Fateh Darshan" instead of khalda saluatation? Yes he did.

2) Did he violate Guru Gobind singh's edict as mentioned in rehatnama of Bhai Nand lal ji
not to wear red? Yes he did.

Above two points are good enough to judge that he strayed from path and hence a dispute
arose between him and other gursikhs who did not want to dilute traditions bestowed by
father of khalsa.

Was Baba Binod Singh ji was one of the Panj gursikhs sent by Guru Gobind Singh ji ? To help and guide Baba Banda Singh ji Bahadur?

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To state historical facts is not Ninda. Likewise Baba Binod Singh ji was descendant of Guru Angad dev ji.He was one of the panj
piaras sent by Guru ji along Baba Banda singh.

He remained with Baba Banda singh through thick and thin. When encircled in garhi of Gurdas Nangal, he advised Baba banda singh
to make a pincer move and escape as sikhs under Baba banda singh had done when encircled in their fort near Sadhaura.Baba ji
did not want to do it.

Baba Binod singh ji made a pincer move and escaped. He is the one who led sikhs later.

Bhai rattan singh Bhanghu was a grandson of Bhai Mehtab singh mirankot.He had first hand knowledge
himself of sikh situation .We should not fault such Gursikhs.

There are two points in regards to Baba Banda singh.

1) Did he introduce "Fateh Darshan" instead of khalda saluatation? Yes he did.

2) Did he violate Guru Gobind singh's edict as mentioned in rehatnama of Bhai Nand lal ji
not to wear red? Yes he did.

Above two points are good enough to judge that he strayed from path and hence a dispute
arose between him and other gursikhs who did not want to dilute traditions bestowed by
father of khalsa.

We dont understand why you have negative views towards Banda Singh Bahadur Ji. Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu was not a historian. Simply put he wrote some history according to oral tradition and the Sikh history books which were in existence. However, some of these books were written by people with misguided intentions, and some of the oral traditions were invented stories. For example, Bansvalinama is one of the first books which mentions Banda Singh Bahadur started to referring to himself as Guru. People like Bhangu just copied such info. without doing a critical review on such text. Not to mention Bansavalinama also mentions how Guru Sahib sent Banda Singh Bahadur with 3 Gursikhs not 5. We all know its 5 as this is a Gurmat tradition , but those who wrote Bansvalinama did not write according to Gurmat principles. Bhai Kaur Singh Ji mentions how those who dont keep Rehat and abide by Gurmat principles always write inaccurately and misrepresent historical events according to their own intelligence. Bhangu is no exception to such historians.

Bhangu continued the lineage of portraying Banda Singh Bahadur , Guru Sahib , and the Khalsa in an inaccurate way. For example he mentions how when Guru Sahib first Madho Das ( Banda Singh Bahadur) , Guru Sahib purposely performed Jhakta to anger Madho Das and "pollute his ashram". If Bhangu has no fear in making stuff up about Guru Sahib why would he hestitate making stuff up about a Gurmukh. Why would Guru Sahib kill animals just to annoy someone.

There is also misinformation about the time spent in Gurdas Nangal. For example, some people say Banda Singh Bahadur and the Khalsa resorted to self-cannibalism meaning they ate their own body parts to survive.Such fabrications are written without taking Gurmat and Rehat in mind. We think the Singhs would go out , fight and attain shaheedi before resorting malpractices such as cannibalism.

Just as Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindravale have had a lot of GOI sponsored propaganda created against them in order to confuse Sikhs similarly Baba Banda Singh Bahadur also had false propaganda created against him by the rulers of Delhi and self serving Sikhs at the time. 100-200 years from now I would not be surprised if Sikhs in future start to believe the lies spread about Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale by reading books written by collaborating congressi Sikhs or Santa Singh's Nihangs who try to defame Sant Jee as the Sanatanists have done to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur since puratan times.

Both of these Jarnails have given the ultimate sacrifice for the Panth. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was one of the greatest Sikh leaders post Guru period. Fact remains had he been a manmukh who had gone astray he could never have given the type of Shaheedi he did. A manmukh would have been shaken by fear of turture or death or worse he could have colaborated with Mughals. Only a Mahapursh could have given such a Shaheedi and yet remain firm in his unshakable faith in Sikhi. Unfortunately, Sanatanists have distorted his image as they have distorted(lied) Bhai Mani Singh Jee's Shaheedi by claiming he was punished for "cutting up Gurbani". Such ludicroius claims need to be taken seriously in today's day and age when we are better able to think critically. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a true Khalsa. Any Sikh who fights for Sikh soveignty or freedom will always have false propaganda created against him by rulers of the time.

eyesacademic Wrote:
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> Was Baba Binod Singh ji was one of the Panj
> gursikhs sent by Guru Gobind Singh ji ? To help
> and guide Baba Banda Singh ji Bahadur?


Baba Binod singh ji and his son Bhai Kahan singh were two of five singhs sent with Baba Banda singh
Bahadar by Guru sahib.

Bhai sukhdeep singh ji

I do not have any personal disliking for Baba Banda singh ji bahadar. I give him full credit for leading khalsa to victory
in vanquishing tyrant ruler of Sirhind. In the end he stood his ground in tradition of sikh martyrdom and he is one of our heroes.

But he did resort to diluting ideals of khalsa in between this period and i have mentioned those two points in specific.
.
Rattan singh Bhanghu was not an ordinary person.He was grandson of Bhai mehtab singh who had beheaded Massa Ranghar
inside Harmandir sahib. He had first hand knowledge of many incidents relating to Baba Banda singh bahadar.

He is not the only one who wrote about misadventures of Baba Singh.Bhai Koer singh wrote Gurbilas patshahi 10 in 1751 AD.
He does mention about Baba Banda singh bahadar breaching khalsa code of conduct.

Mahma Parkash of sarup Dass Bhalla written in 1770s wrote negatively about Banda singh.Bahadar. They were followed by Giani
Gian singh in Twarikh Guru Khalsa,Bhai Kahan singh Nabha to mention a few.

So we cann't find fault with all of them and condemn gursikhs such as Baba Bindo singh ji . Bhai Mani singh's letter to Mata sundari
ji does mention Baba Binod singh's name saying that his son had passed away highlighting how highly Baba ji was held in Guru
Ghar.

Sanatanists do indulge in propaganda about Banda singh ji Bahadar in a different way.They say that he was not baptized and was a bairagi
all his life.They project him a great leader in their own style and label entire Tat khalsa as traitor.

Arya samaji historian Hari Ram Gupta is one of them. But that is a lie and will remain a lie if sikhs know their history.

Baba Banda singh Bahadar has done a great service for sikhs and we give him every credit for that. But this fact cann't
be ignored that in between he strayed from Khalsa path. When Mata Sundri tried to correct him he wrote a nasty letter
to her terming her as dumb woman.

We should be aware of our history and not name call Gursikhs such as Baba Binod singh ji and tat khalsa sikhs who defended
sikhi by taking to jungles.

Baba Binod singh ji has done a great service for khalsa panth. He was well read in sikh scriptures and was first jathedar
of Dal khalsa. He was held in high esteem by Guru Gobind singh ji and his name finds mention in letter of Bhai Mani singh
to Mata sundri ji indicating his high status in sikhism.

Bhai Sukhdeep singh ji has raised a point about panj piaras sent with Baba Banda singh.

Guru kian sakhain mentions name of panj piaras sent with Banda singh as below in sakhi no 112

Bhai Bhagwant singh
Bhai Koer singh
Bhai Baaz singh
Bhai Binod singh
Bhai Kahn singh

Piara singh padam writes in Basawalinama on page 27 quoting kesar singh chhibber

Bahut sikh bande nu yarvin patshashi haisan kehnde

Banswalinama 12 charan

Then Padam writes that Banda singh was appointed as general of khalsa army. Panj Piaras were sent with him representing
Guru Khalsa

Bhai Inder Singh jeeo,

We believe that Baba Banda Singh jee was a Gursikh of topmost level and as such we are going to defend him vigorously. Therefore, don't take any of this personal.

Quote

There are two points in regards to Baba Banda singh.

1) Did he introduce "Fateh Darshan" instead of khalda saluatation? Yes he did.

I have heard about this Fateh Darshan argument many times but don't understand how this slogan could have replaced "Vaheguru jee ka Khalsa Vaheguru jee kee Fateh" because this slogan seems to be simply a short form of our regular Fateh. We see that even today there are many Gursikhs who just write "Fateh" in place of complete Fateh but this does not mean that they have started a new slogan. Same way, "Fateh Darshan" neither replaces our regular slogan nor our war cry "Bole So Nihaal. Sat Sri Akal". It's just a short form of full Fateh that was written by Baba jee in his letters. So we reject this allegation on Baba jee that he replaced the Khalsa salutation. This is the propaganda of Sanatanis who have taken to fiercely slander Baba Banda Singh jee.

Quote

2) Did he violate Guru Gobind singh's edict as mentioned in rehatnama of Bhai Nand lal ji
not to wear red? Yes he did.

Please give us the proof that he himself wore red or had his army wear it.

You yourself write that Baba Binod Singh was sent with Baba Banda Singh jee to be with him and advise in him form of Punj Pyare but then why did he flee Gurdas Nangal? This was not a Gurmat stance to flee when all other Singhs held on at Gurdas Nangal. Secondly, even Binod Singh's own son, who was one of the Punj Pyare, did not leave Baba Banda Singh jee. This proves that Binod Singh left on his own and left the council of Punj Pyare to save his life or for whatever reason. Baba jee stayed there and then gave a glorious Shaheedi while Binod Singh bribed the Mughal officials and saved his son from Shaheedi and lived comfortably. In that era, there was no press or internet, so it was very easy to spread false information. Since the wimps who left Baba jee wanted to be treated respectfully despite their cowardly retreat, they started slandering Baba jee to justify their cowardly acts.

Can a Guru-dummiya (one who acts like Guru) give the glorious Shaheedi like Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadur? Just look at his Shaheedi and then say anything about him. Just compare the lives and death of his opponents like Binod Singh, Rattan Singh Bhangu and Bhalla etc. and then see whom would you believe. Just because Bhangu was the grandson of Bhai Mehtab Singh Mirakoti does not give him the status of infallibility.

In the end, even if we assume that Baba jee made the mistakes of wearing Red, it does not make him a Bajjar Kurehitiya or anything of that sort. Just look at any human being and you will notice million shortcomings and mistakes in that person. Same is true for many Gursikhs too. We ought to ignore these minor shortcomings and still respect and adore such Gursikhs.

Kulbir Singh

Quote
Piara singh padam writes in Basawalinama on page 27 quoting kesar singh chhibber

Bahut sikh bande nu yarvin patshashi haisan kehnde

That doesn't mean Baba Banda Bhadar (Bhai GurBakash Singh Jee) was acting as a 11th Guru. This is a opinionated quote not a fact.

About 30 years ago GOI sponsored literature and news media calls the same thing towards Baba Jarnail Singh Jee that Sikhs consider him as a 11th Guru. Was that the case? No.

I have no doubt if GOI propaganda literature continue then no wonder hundred year later it will be a common story among new generation of Sikhs that Baba Jarnail Singh was propagating himself as 11th Guru.

Being a well wisher of Khalsa Panth, we should refrain our self from elongating false accusations.

Quote

Rattan singh Bhanghu was not an ordinary person.He was grandson of Bhai mehtab singh who had beheaded Massa Ranghar
inside Harmandir sahib. He had first hand knowledge of many incidents relating to Baba Banda singh bahadar.

He is not the only one who wrote about misadventures of Baba Singh.Bhai Koer singh wrote Gurbilas patshahi 10 in 1751 AD.
He does mention about Baba Banda singh bahadar breaching khalsa code of conduct.

Bhai Sukhdeep singh ji has raised a point about panj piaras sent with Baba Banda singh.

Guru kian sakhain mentions name of panj piaras sent with Banda singh as below in sakhi no 112

Bhai Bhagwant singh
Bhai Koer singh
Bhai Baaz singh
Bhai Binod singh
Bhai Kahn singh

Piara singh padam writes in Basawalinama on page 27 quoting kesar singh chhibber

Bahut sikh bande nu yarvin patshashi haisan kehnde

Banswalinama 12 charan

Then Padam writes that Banda singh was appointed as general of khalsa army. Panj Piaras were sent with him representing
Guru Khalsa

Bhai Sahib, Rattan Singhs ancestors were warriors but Rattan Singh himself was not. Simply put he was a wealthy aristorcrat who had the leisure time to write history at a time where people people had historical resources.

Bansvalinama does mention Banda Singh Bahadur broke conduct by claiming he was the 11th Guru. You yourself have quoted this claim. But we cannot take Bansvalinama to be a credit source. Bansvalinama refers to the Gurus lineage. Nowhere in this text is there any mention of Gurgadii given to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Panj Pyaarey;instead, they make the ludricous claim that Sahibzadey Ajit SIngh Ji sat on the Gurgaddi. They also make the claim Baba Ajit Singh Ji was married and he had a child. Guru Kia Sakhian mentions the same thing.

We all know through history from the time of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji people try to stray people from the true Guru . This was no different when Gurgaddi was given to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. People made false claims such as Baba Ajit Singh Ji was 11th Guru, and they also made claims that Banda Singh Bahadur Ji claimed himself to be Guru. These allegations were invented to disunite the panth and create confusion. Bansvalinama is not a credible source to understand the life of Banda Singh Bahadur Ji. Bansvalinama mentions Guru Sahib sent Banda SIngh Bahadur with 3 sikhs ( no mention of Binod Singh) not 5. This cant be true as the Gurmat tradition was 5 Gursikhs.

In regards to Red, Banda Singh Bahadur was forced to wear a red turban and kalgi by the Mughals. When he was caputred like Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur he was forced in an iron cage and mocked around the city of delhi. The Muslims also propagated this agenda of making Banda Singh Bahadur the 11th Guru thus they dressed him like a king. They wanted the Muslims to know that the 11th Guru was captured. They took off his dastar and placed red polmegrates on his head as a joke/mockery so all the crowd can have a laugh of the " Sikh Guru " being clowned on.

But think carefully, if he himself claimed to be Guru and started a new sect then why would he fight against the Muslims. This would not be in his best interest. Nor would it be in there interest of the Muslims to fight and kill him, because the greatest blow to the Sikhs was for someone to create a new sect. The fact is he was a humble Gursikh and a great leader and for this reason he was defamed by anti Sikh forces.

I forgot to respond to your claim about changing Fateh.

If you read the complete letters of Baba Jis you will notice some Bahamn has tampered with them. For example, most of the letters are pro gurmat they mention to stay away from meat and intoxicants to always jaap gurmat naam, but then there is mention of not eating onions. Onions! What do onions have to do with Gurmat?Not eating onions is a Bahaman maryada. Its obvious the Bahmans tampered with the letters to mislead Sikhs.Kesar Singh Chhiber himself was a Bahman so no wonder he propagated the belief that people referred to Banda SIngh Bahadur as the 11th Guru.

In the letters, most likely they changed the mangla charan Ik Ong Kar Sri Waaheguru Ji Ki Fateh to Darshan Fateh and some mischeiveous person made the claim that Banda Singh Bahadur changed the Fateh to Darshan Fateh. Darshan Fateh makes no sense at all.

Bhai Kulbir Singh jio

You have the right to defend him. Before passing derogatory remarks against other singhs we need to introspect the background which led
to this situation.

1) He and his followers did not only substitute Khalsa salutation by Fateh Darshan but he himself changed this salutation in writing also.
His written edict that is avilable on the net testifies to that.You take it a frivolous issue but for others it amounts to a distortion of Guru
ji's edict.

2)Historical sources have been cited here to prove that he asked khalsa to wear red. And that was one of the major reason of fall out.
For further proof one has to visit their dera and see it that they wear red. Bairagis of today also wear red.

Kulbir singh wrote


You yourself write that Baba Binod Singh was sent with Baba Banda Singh jee to be with him and advise in him form of Punj Pyare but then why did he flee Gurdas Nangal? This was not a Gurmat stance to flee when all other Singhs held on at Gurdas Nangal. Secondly, even Binod Singh's own son, who was one of the Punj Pyare, did not leave Baba Banda Singh jee. This proves that Binod Singh left on his own and left the council of Punj Pyare to save his life or for whatever reason. Baba jee stayed there and then gave a glorious Shaheedi while Binod Singh bribed the Mughal officials and saved his son from Shaheedi and lived comfortably. In that era, there was no press or internet, so it was very easy to spread false information. Since the wimps who left Baba jee wanted to be treated respectfully despite their cowardly retreat, they started slandering Baba jee to justify their cowardly acts.

My reply

Baba Binod singh ji was a singh of charhdi kala.He did not want to be caught as a sitting duck and then surrender. Surrendering to enemy is unheard of in sikh history.He had advised Banda singh to make a pincer move and goas they had done at mukhlaisgarh fort,Banda singh did not want to do it.That was a military strategy Banda singh ignored.

Can you tell us who was his son left in fort?

Suffice to say that sikh history testifies that there is no surrender against enemy. Banda singh Bahadar has been criticized by historians for surrendering.Baba Binod singh was a brave khalsa who laid down his life as a martyr later on and his memorial stands near silakot.

Kulbir singh wrtote

Can a Guru-dummiya (one who acts like Guru) give the glorious Shaheedi like Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadur? Just look at his Shaheedi and then say anything about him. Just compare the lives and death of his opponents like Binod Singh, Rattan Singh Bhangu and Bhalla etc. and then see whom would you believe. Just because Bhangu was the grandson of Bhai Mehtab Singh Mirakoti does not give him the status of infallibility.

My response

It is not bhanghu only who wrote truth.Various other historians have been provided who write samething.To prove bANDA SINGH RIGHT you have to alter most of sikh texts.

Kulbir singh wrote

In the end, even if we assume that Baba jee made the mistakes of wearing Red, it does not make him a Bajjar Kurehitiya or anything of that sort. Just look at any human being and you will notice million shortcomings and mistakes in that person. Same is true for many Gursikhs too. We ought to ignore these minor shortcomings and still respect and adore such Gursikhs.

My response

There are several issues.Wearing red is one of those.No one knew about these issues till a few years back.This introspection came when several of Banda supporters started eulogizing him at cost of tarnishing image of mainstream sikhs calling them traitors as they did not side with Banda singh against Moghals. These elements were mainly right wing Hindus who posed him as a bairagi.That is when role of main stream sikhs was looked into and was found that there were reasons behind their boycott of Banda and main reason was his religious misconduct.

JASJIT SINGH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
>
>
> That doesn't mean Baba Banda Bhadar (Bhai
> GurBakash Singh Jee) was acting as a 11th Guru.
> This is a opinionated quote not a fact.
>
> About 30 years ago GOI sponsored literature and
> news media calls the same thing towards Baba
> Jarnail Singh Jee that Sikhs consider him as a
> 11th Guru. Was that the case? No.
>
> I have no doubt if GOI propaganda literature
> continue then no wonder hundred year later it will
> be a common story among new generation of Sikhs
> that Baba Jarnail Singh was propagating himself as
> 11th Guru.
>
> Being a well wisher of Khalsa Panth, we should
> refrain our self from elongating false
> accusations.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You need to visit Baba banda singh's dera to see his guru status in action. So many historical texts support this. So it is not one quote only.

GOI agents are already name calling Sant Jarnail singh ji.Foremost among them are Kala afghana outfits calling him a bipar sadh. Sikh marg
editor Makhan singh Purewal has done it many times.Missionaries have joined them too.

See below opinion of other Indians about banda singh bahadar who claim him to be a Hindu.such propaganda of divide and rule originate from them.We should be careful not to condemn our core institutions.

[defenceforumindia.com]