You Might have seen 300, but have you heard of the battle of Chamkaur Sahib

Not trying to steal the wind from the Greek sails but is there not another battle that is overlooked that is as heroic, if not even more uneven in its opposing sides, when 40 Sikhs at the battle of Chamkaur, fought the entire imperial army of the Moghul ruler Aurangzeb?


In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC an alliance of Greek city states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war.

The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain to maximize an army's potential, and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. The heroic sacrifice of the Spartans and the Thespians has captured the minds of many throughout the ages and has given birth to many cultural references as a result.


A few points to note, it wasn’t at all a band of 300 Spartans surrounded by millions of Persians, the pass at Thermopylae is a small and narrow area where only a few hundred soldiers can fight at a time. The 300 were actually joined by 700 Thespians. With all due respect to the Persian and Greek armies, the Spartans cannot be given all of the credit. The Athenians burned the Persian fleet in the sea at Salamis. Also, the Athenians fought the Persians earlier at a place called Marathon (which is what the running competition is named after: the distance Pheidippides ran to spread the news of Greece beating the Persian Army.) And many tribes and local kingdoms fiercely fought the Persians on their expeditions toward Greece. Nonetheless, it was a great battle. They were indeed brave and fierce, and so were the Persians.

The date is December 1705 the combined armies of the Mughal empire and the treacherous Hill Rajas have besieged Anandpur Sahib. The Muslim generals are taking oaths of the Holy Quraan and the Pahari Hill Rajas on the oaths of Bhagwat Gita and the holy cow.

They implore Guru Gobind Singh Ji, for one time, leave Anandpur Sahib and that they will be given safe passage out. Though Guru Sahib Ji did not believe a word of it or any of their oaths or promises they decided to leave Anandpur Sahib due to the request of the Sikhs inside the fort.

The Sikhs vacated the premises as a storm brewed leaving the fort in pitch darkness, the enemy forgetting all about the oaths they had taken attacked the Sikhs. With the enemy hot on their heels the Sikhs reached the river Sarsa running near to Anandpur Sahib, which had swollen due to the storm and winter rains. The hungry and weak army of the Sikhs had a difficult crossing to make in the wake of the sea of Muslim and ungrateful Hindu army behind them. It was a tragic scene of devastation. The Guru was separated from the Sikhs as well as from his family. The whole Sikh army was scattered in the dark as small groups moved to safety in any direction they found. Facing all these unfavorable conditions, Sikhs were to make unaccountable sacrifices.

The Guru along with forty of his followers crossed the river and arrived at a small clearing, they took shelter in an unsound small fort called 'Kachhi Garhi’ at Chamkaur. The enemy soon arrived and laid siege. This Gharhi was surrounded by 10 lakh soldiers of the enemy. No band of soldiers have ever faced such unfavorable odds, not even the Spartans. This was not narrow a passage to defend, this was a small shakey havali surrounded on all sides by the enemy baying for blood.

The Guru along with forty of his followers crossed the river and arrived at a small clearing, they took shelter in an unsound small fort called 'Kachhi Garhi’ at Chamkaur. The enemy soon arrived and laid siege. This Gharhi was surrounded by 10 lakh soldiers of the enemy. No band of soldiers have ever faced such unfavorable odds, not even the Spartans. This was not narrow a passage to defend, this was a small shakey havali surrounded on all sides by the enemy baying for blood.

The two Sahibzadas - Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh - and three other archers took up positions, along with Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the upper portion of the house. Eight persons each were deputed to guard each of the four sides. Two expert swordsmen -Bhai Madan Singh and Bhai Kotha Singh - stood to guard the only entrance to the haveli.

The arrows from upper storey of the haveli kept many a soldier at bay. Those who came forward to storm the garhi, met piercing arrows. They either perished or preferred to pull back, or faced hand-to-hand fights with Singhs guarding the four sides. Faujdar Nahar Khan was one of those who fell to the arrows of Guru Gobind Singh himself. The onslaught continued relentlessly as the enemy continually attacked all sides of the gahri.

The battle lasted all day. When the ammunition and arrows in the garhi almost ran out, the Singhs came out in batches of five, with swords and spears in their hands, to face the enemy that far outnumbered them. Their determination and fighting skill helped them kill many of the enemy, but odds were so heavy against them that they all fell in the field, one by one. They were followed by the next batch of five, charged with emotions of fighting a treacherous enemy. Determined to fight with all their vigor, they too were to lay their lives the same way.

The two elder sons of Guru Ji - Baba Ajit Singh (17 years old) and Baba Jujhar Singh (15 years old) stepped forward and volunteered to go fight the hordes outside. The Great Guru was greatly impressed and prepared them himself for battle before sending them out to the field of battle to sacrifice their lives. Included in this band were three of the original Panj Piyaray (Five Beloved ones) Bhai Mohkam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh.

Each Sikh went into battle with such ferocity, like a hungry lion scattering its prey that it unnerved the enemy, but the hordes overwhelmed them and they fought to the last breath. Such heroics have seldom been seen before or since. This situation brought true the prophecy of one of Guru Sahib Ji’s compositions :

"Call me Gobind Singh, only, when each of my Sikh will fight with more than one and a quarter lakh of enemy."

By the nightfall, only six persons - Guru Gobind Singh Ji, two of the “Beloved Five" (Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Dharam Singh), Bhai Sant Singh, Bhai Man Singh and Sangat Singh remained alive in the garhi. The Singhs decided that Guru Gobind Singh must leave the haveli, so that he could rally his followers again. If he perished, loss to the community would be irreparable. Guru Ji wanted to face the enemy but the five Sikhs in the form of Panj Piyaray said that Guru Ji must do as they say, to which Guru Sahib Ji relented. It was proposed that Guru Sahib Ji should change his attire with Sangat Singh, who somewhat resembled him in stature. By his being visible, the others might get enough time to reach a somewhat safe distance. Reluctantly, the Guru agreed, to the propsal, which the Singhs presented as the matta of five, which was binding. . Bhai Sant Singh decided to stay back to guard the entrance, and thus gain some additional time, when the enemy barges in.

In the middle of the night Guru Gobind Singh and three remaining Sikhs - Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Man Singh - left the haveli, with a plan to go in different directions but meet in a garden outside Machhivara. Even at this critical moment Guru Ji was fearless and full of valor, clapping loudly three times and shouting “here goes the Guru of the Sikhs, face me now if you have the courage” and set off into the enemy hordes. Fighting their way through the enemy ranks Guru Ji made it out and headed towards Machiwara.

This whole incident is referred to in the historical document called Zafarnama, penned by Guru Gobind Singh himself. Notice that the figure of 10 Lakh enemy is refered to by Guru Sahib Ji giving more credence to this figure rather then it being a generic value.

Zafarnama –

How could forty famished persons fight in the battlefield, on whom ten lakh soldiers made a sudden attack.

Your army breaking the oath and in great haste plunged in the battlefield with arrows and guns.

For this reason, I had to intervene and had to come fully armed.

When all other methods fail, it is proper to hold the sword in hand.

The soldiers of your army, clad in black uniforms, rushed like flies on my men.26.
Whosoever from them came near the wall of the fort, with one arrow he wos drenched in his own blood.

When I saw Nahar Khan in the battlefield, he was greeted with one of my arrows.29.

All those boasters who came near the wall, they were dispatched in no time.

Khwaja Mardud hid himself behind the wall; he did not enter the field like a brave warrior.

If I had seen his face once, one of my arrows would have dispatched him to the abode of death.

Many warriors wounded with arrows and bullets died in the battle on both the sides.

The darts were showered so violently, that the field became red like popyflowers.

The heads and limbs of the dead were scattered in the field like the balls and sticks in the game of Polo.

When the arrows hissed and bows tinkled, there was a great hue and cry in the world.

There the spears and lances provided a dreadful sound and the warriors lost their senses.

How could bravery ultimately withstand in the field, when only forty were surrounded by innumerable warriors?
When the lamp of the world veiled itself, the moon shone in brightness during the night.

There was neither any harm nor injury; my Lord, the vanquisher of the enemies, brought me to safety.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Disrespect

Desecration of the Guru by Our Own Institutions

Thursday 17th of April 2008

Panthic Weekly News Bureau

Holy Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked in a filthy corner of the complex

Click to View Photograph Galllery of Desecration

Sri Rakabganj Sahib, Delhi (KP) - Thirty years ago, thirteen GurSikhs laid down their lives in the city of Amritsar Sahib when the psuedo-Nirankari heretics began desecrating and insulting Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Sikh Nation considers Guru Granth Sahib Ji the living embodiment of the ten Gurus. Utmost respect and reverence is given to the sacred Saroops that contain the Holy Bani of our Gurus and Bhagats (saints). Three decades later, our very own institutions, are now the ones who are desecrating the Holy Saroops.

"Interestingly, the Prof. Darshan Singh & Missionary lobby is totally silent about the ongoing disrespect by Sarna and Company. Instead, they are busy criticising the Bani of Dasam Patshah, and internally promoting the likes of Chaman Lal and Hari Ratan Yukta."

Panthic Weekly was given photographic and video evidence by Sewadars of Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee (India) and the Shahbaaz Khalsa organization on the reckless beadbi that is occurring at the premises of “Gur Updesh Printers”, the official printing establishment of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) under Paramjit Sarna and company.

When the DSGMC found out this evidence was being collected, they quickly confiscated the equipment of the sevadars—but fortunately, other equipment was still in their possession with which they collected this evidence of violations.

Uncovered Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked like bricks on the ground

Ironically, the DSGMC has a budget of over 1 Billion (100 crore) rupees to manage Delhi based Gurdwaras, Sikh schools, and colleges. The massive complex at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, besides the historic Gurdwara Sahib, contains the well known Lakhi Shah Vanjara Hall, DSGMC offices, and the publishing center known as Gur Updesh Printers.

Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib is the sacred site where Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji’s body was cremated by Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara in 1675.

As Guru Ji's Saroops are being desecrated, the Siyaasi-masands of the DSGMC enjoy thier luxurious air-conditioned offices in the Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib complex

Due to mis-management and carelessness, this once serene and sparkling complex is now under the virtual control of the “siyaasi-masands’ of the DSGMC.

For the last several years, the committee has been outsourcing Gurdwara seva to non-Sikhs and migrant Biharis. Their presence is known from the never ending line of discarded tobacco-bettle nut packs littering the complex.

Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib complex littered with discarded tobacco pouches

Click to video of littered tobacco pouches at Gurdwara Complex

In 2005, PW published an article “Bihari migrants desecrate premises of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib” http://www.panthic.org/news/125/ARTICLE/2097/2005-12-18.html which was an expose done by Shahbaaz Khalsa that illustrated how the Gurdwara Sahib premises was being misused and desecrated by these Bihari migrants (often referred to as 'Bhaeeyas'). These migrants continue to carry and chew tobacco on the premises of the sacred complex.

Per Sikh Maryada (Code of Conduct), alcohol, tobacco, and similar paraphernalia are not to be brought in or consumed on any Gurdwara premises. These same migrants are also in charge of the Langar Halls and other key duties throughout the complex.

Disrespect of Saroops

When visitors at the complex come to get Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, they are taken to a well kept hall with dozens and dozens of Saroops placed on Sukhasan platforms. Yet undercover footage of the same complex revealed that Bhayeeays strolled through the Sukhasan room without covering their heads. This is a major violation of Sikh Maryada.

Employees walk around with their heads uncovered in the Sukhasan Room for Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Visitors are further shocked to know that on one side, luxurious offices with marble floors, and expensive furniture are provided to Paramjit Sarna and his DSGMC staff, but behind the Sukhasan room, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Saroops are being printed in sub-standard unkempt areas littered with rubbish and scrap.

When the sewadars of the Satkar Committee visited the printing areas, they were shocked to see so many uncovered Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked like bricks. Many of these Saroops were literally touching the ground, with just a thin rumala between them.

“How can this go on in an organization whose budget is in the crores of rupees? "

Although, there was the separate Sukhasan room in the complex, it was not being utilized for these Saroops, nor was it big enough to store all of these Saroops. The Satkar Committee sewadars spent several hours relocating some of the Saroops to the Sukhasam room, so they can be given proper respect, but only so many could be moved.

Stacks of Saroops Everywhere

As the sewadars moved throughout the complex, they saw more and more stacks everywhere, many left uncovered, and others carelessly covered by a single white bed sheet. The sewadars estimated over 300 Saroops in many of these giant stacks. There were dozens of these stacks throughout the hall.

Bhai Balbir Singh of the Satkar Committee estimated that all in all there were several thousand Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji being stored in that shabby complex, all without proper maryada and respect.

One of the Satkar Committee sevadars exclaimed, “How can this go on in an organization whose budget is in the crores of rupees? If they can afford, luxurious offices for themselves, why can’t [they afford] the same for our King of Kings? Why is Guru Maharaj being kept in this condition? This is totally unexcusable!”

Hundereds of Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked like bricks, dozens of such stacks were in the comple

Angs of Guru Granth Sahib tossed in Trash

Another shocking scene the sewadars encountered was that damaged or misprinted angs of Guru Granth Sahib were thrown into rubbish bins, along with normal paper waste. These Angs contained the sacred verses of Gurbani, yet they were being treated like trash.

The sewadars also saw one saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that had been parkash on a dirty desk, there were no rumallas or chaur sahib for that open saroop. It was left unattended, with a paper inserted in it as a place holder. Again, another huge violation of Sikh Maryada.

Discarded Angs of Guru Granth Sahib Ji thrown into rubbish bins.

Another violations the sewadars noted was that complete single volume Saroops were being printer in Hindi and Urdu. Sri Akal Takht directive does not allow single volumes of Guru Granth Sahib to be printed in any langauge other than Gurmukhi - only Senchees are allowed.

Sewadars of the Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee and the Shahbaaz Khalsa recently held a press conference in which this photographic evidence was handed to the press and then submitted to Sri Akal Takht Sahib so that this beadbi (extreme disrespect) could be stopped as soon as possible. Sadly, neither the appointed Jathedar Vedanti nor the press has taken notice of these violations.

Both organizations have appealed to the Panth at large, that pressure should be put on appointed Jathedar Vedanti to take stern action against the DSGMC executives so that this beadbi in their complex can be stopped.
To the Sikh Nation there is nothing more sacred than our sacred Gurbani, it is the very form of our Guru. That is why even the paper and the ink it is written with is called blessed.

ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਕਾਗਦੁ ਕਲਮ ਧੰਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਭਾਂਡਾ ਧਨੁ ਮਸੁ ॥
Blessed is the paper, blessed is the pen, blessed is the inkwell, and blessed is the ink.
ਧਨੁ ਲੇਖਾਰੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਿਖਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ॥1॥
Blessed is the writer, O Nanak, who writes the True Name. ||1||

While there are those who will sacrifice everything for the respect and honor of this Sacred Holy Bani, there are many who will look the other way since it is much easier and fashionable in this day and age.

Historically, it was well known that Sikhs gained their power from the sacred Gurbani. It was so revered that Sikh kings such as Raja Ranjit Singh would always have Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth Sahib on thrones higher than them, generals would take both saroops on elephants into battle as commander-in-chief.

These very detractors of the Panth have attacked not only Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, but are also undermining the reverance and respect accorded to Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The 13 Shaheeds of '78 and others throughout history gave their lives to stop this very type of beadbi happening today. In the future, will there be any Sikhs left that stand up for their Guru's respect?