Sardarji, Barah baj gaye!
I was standing at Jalandhar station when my attention was drawn towards a Sikh youth standing near me wearing a black turban, sporting a long beard, and wearing a kirpan (knife) over his shirt.
After a while, one local train arrived, totally packed. The Sikh youth tried to board the train but failed to do so. Just then a voice was heard from the back coach, 'Sardarji Baran Baj gaye' (Sir, it's 12 o'clock!).
The Sikh youth looked over at the speaker (who was a young person) and instead of showing any anger, smiled at him.
The smile was so enigmatic that it seemed as if there was some hidden truth behind it. Not able to hide my curiosity, I walked towards him and asked why he smiled at the person who teased him. The Sikh youth replied, 'He was not teasing me but was asking for my help.' I was surprised by these words, and he told me that there was history behind those words. I was eager to know what he was talking about, and the Sikh youth narrated the following:
During the 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their property and forced all Hindus to accept Islam or face death. During this period, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji, came forward in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against these cruel activities. So, our Guruji went to the Mughal emperor and told him that if he succeeded in converting him to Islam, he would ensure that all the Hindus would accept the same. But, if he failed, he should stop all these atrocities. The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that, but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members, he failed to convert him to Islam, and Guruji, along with his other four fellows, was tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk.
Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam, they were assassinated. Thus, our ninth Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of the Hindu religion. In history, can you show me any instances of anybody laying down his life for the protection of another religion?
This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar," the shield of India. The people for whose sake he had sacrificed his life did not have the guts to come forward to lift his body, fearing that they too would also be assassinated. Seeing this incident, our 10th Guruji, Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of Khalsa (the Pure) made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and could be easily identified.
In the beginning, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying a lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh, who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women, and they were safely sent to their homes.
It didn't happen only once, but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army (although fewer in numbers) attacked them at midnight, 12 o'clock, and rescued all the women.
After that time, when there was a need, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help, and the Sikhs used to attack the raiders at midnight, 12 o'clock.
Nowadays, these "smart people" have spread these words that at 12 o'clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses.
This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over that person as little did he realize that he was asking for my help saying 'Sardarji Baran Baj Gaye' and it meant that his Mother, Sister, Wife, or Daughter was in trouble!
"It's easy to joke about a Sardar, but it's tough to be a Sardar"...
From India, Kochi
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2I was standing at Jalandhar station when my attention was drawn towards a Sikh youth standing near me wearing a black turban, sporting a long beard, and wearing a kirpan (knife) over his shirt.
After a while, one local train arrived, totally packed. The Sikh youth tried to board the train but failed to do so. Just then a voice was heard from the back coach, 'Sardarji Baran Baj gaye' (Sir, it's 12 o'clock!).
The Sikh youth looked over at the speaker (who was a young person) and instead of showing any anger, smiled at him.
The smile was so enigmatic that it seemed as if there was some hidden truth behind it. Not able to hide my curiosity, I walked towards him and asked why he smiled at the person who teased him. The Sikh youth replied, 'He was not teasing me but was asking for my help.' I was surprised by these words, and he told me that there was history behind those words. I was eager to know what he was talking about, and the Sikh youth narrated the following:
During the 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their property and forced all Hindus to accept Islam or face death. During this period, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji, came forward in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against these cruel activities. So, our Guruji went to the Mughal emperor and told him that if he succeeded in converting him to Islam, he would ensure that all the Hindus would accept the same. But, if he failed, he should stop all these atrocities. The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that, but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members, he failed to convert him to Islam, and Guruji, along with his other four fellows, was tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk.
Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam, they were assassinated. Thus, our ninth Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of the Hindu religion. In history, can you show me any instances of anybody laying down his life for the protection of another religion?
This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar," the shield of India. The people for whose sake he had sacrificed his life did not have the guts to come forward to lift his body, fearing that they too would also be assassinated. Seeing this incident, our 10th Guruji, Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of Khalsa (the Pure) made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and could be easily identified.
In the beginning, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying a lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh, who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women, and they were safely sent to their homes.
It didn't happen only once, but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army (although fewer in numbers) attacked them at midnight, 12 o'clock, and rescued all the women.
After that time, when there was a need, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help, and the Sikhs used to attack the raiders at midnight, 12 o'clock.
Nowadays, these "smart people" have spread these words that at 12 o'clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses.
This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over that person as little did he realize that he was asking for my help saying 'Sardarji Baran Baj Gaye' and it meant that his Mother, Sister, Wife, or Daughter was in trouble!
"It's easy to joke about a Sardar, but it's tough to be a Sardar"...
From India, Kochi
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Dear Sindhu,
Thank you for providing a different perspective than the one I was familiar with. This illustrates why Sardarjis are perceived as tough individuals. Without individuals like them, we might not have a secular India.
Have a lovely day.
Simhan
From United Kingdom
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Thank you for providing a different perspective than the one I was familiar with. This illustrates why Sardarjis are perceived as tough individuals. Without individuals like them, we might not have a secular India.
Have a lovely day.
Simhan
From United Kingdom
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Sindhu ji,
Really nice real story, I never knew all this. It's really bad that a few extra-smart people make fun of this, but I personally have experienced that Sikh people are the most helpful people in the world. They have no ego, no attitude, and are ready to help anyone anytime. Gurudwara Banglasaheb is a true example. I have seen people coming in Mercedes and expensive cars, and sweeping and mopping the floors of the Gurudwara. They have a very strong Seva-Bhawna. This is for all the Sardars.
You are great guys! God bless you all.
From India, Delhi
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Really nice real story, I never knew all this. It's really bad that a few extra-smart people make fun of this, but I personally have experienced that Sikh people are the most helpful people in the world. They have no ego, no attitude, and are ready to help anyone anytime. Gurudwara Banglasaheb is a true example. I have seen people coming in Mercedes and expensive cars, and sweeping and mopping the floors of the Gurudwara. They have a very strong Seva-Bhawna. This is for all the Sardars.
You are great guys! God bless you all.
From India, Delhi
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Dear Sindhu,
It's really nice that you have posted this on citehr so that the real facts of history can be known to all. People today have forgotten history and are moving towards mechanism.
Another thing I would like to add is: THERE ARE A LOT OF BEGGARS IN THIS WORLD FROM ALL CASTES AND RELIGIONS, BUT SURPRISINGLY, CAN ANYONE FIND ONE SARDAR BEGGAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER CAN ONE BE FOUND. THIS SHOWS THE INTEGRITY OF SARDARS TOWARDS OTHERS IN SOME ASPECTS. There is a saying that if you take a rupee and want to give it to a beggar, you will find many, but you will never find a Sardar beggar.
Let us all share knowledge not only about Sardars but also about other facts of our richest Indian history, which reflects our way of life. God bless all.
From India, Secunderabad
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It's really nice that you have posted this on citehr so that the real facts of history can be known to all. People today have forgotten history and are moving towards mechanism.
Another thing I would like to add is: THERE ARE A LOT OF BEGGARS IN THIS WORLD FROM ALL CASTES AND RELIGIONS, BUT SURPRISINGLY, CAN ANYONE FIND ONE SARDAR BEGGAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER CAN ONE BE FOUND. THIS SHOWS THE INTEGRITY OF SARDARS TOWARDS OTHERS IN SOME ASPECTS. There is a saying that if you take a rupee and want to give it to a beggar, you will find many, but you will never find a Sardar beggar.
Let us all share knowledge not only about Sardars but also about other facts of our richest Indian history, which reflects our way of life. God bless all.
From India, Secunderabad
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Sindhuji....I am impressed the way you teach us about all this so simply.
I agreed with all the facts & points you mentioned. I am a hindu punjabi...and I am very much impressed with the “Kurbani” the SIKH GURUJI has given for all communities.
Thanks & Regards
NM.
From India, New Delhi
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I agreed with all the facts & points you mentioned. I am a hindu punjabi...and I am very much impressed with the “Kurbani” the SIKH GURUJI has given for all communities.
Thanks & Regards
NM.
From India, New Delhi
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Really appreciate the sentiments behind the story. Thanks a lot for enlightening us with this fact, as even such things are not mentioned in our history. Keep posting such interesting and knowledgeable facts and stories.
Regards,
Pankaj
From India, Mumbai
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Regards,
Pankaj
From India, Mumbai
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Hello Sindhu,
It's nice of you to bring this true story to life at this point.
I am not sure if this is just a coincidence or a reminder from Providence through you to all of us that despite what the verdict in the Babri case is on 30th Oct, 2010, let's retain our senses and always keep in mind the "concern for the other person".
There's another thing that many [if not most] non-Sikhs don't realize/recognize in a Sikh: their incredible sense of humor. Even though the 'barah baj gaye' anecdote has a true basis, there are umpteen numbers of stories about the 'Sardarji' that definitely don't have a real background, and quite a few of such stories border on the ridicule.
I don't think anyone from any other religion [WITHOUT EXCEPTION] can joke about themselves & their religion with such ease & nonchalance and then have a good laugh along with their audience.
I remember a quote here: people the world over will die for religion, kill for religion, hurt for religion, suffer for religion; everything & anything for religion--EXCEPT live for religion. Guess the one who quoted this didn't come across a Sardarji--else he would have made an exception.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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It's nice of you to bring this true story to life at this point.
I am not sure if this is just a coincidence or a reminder from Providence through you to all of us that despite what the verdict in the Babri case is on 30th Oct, 2010, let's retain our senses and always keep in mind the "concern for the other person".
There's another thing that many [if not most] non-Sikhs don't realize/recognize in a Sikh: their incredible sense of humor. Even though the 'barah baj gaye' anecdote has a true basis, there are umpteen numbers of stories about the 'Sardarji' that definitely don't have a real background, and quite a few of such stories border on the ridicule.
I don't think anyone from any other religion [WITHOUT EXCEPTION] can joke about themselves & their religion with such ease & nonchalance and then have a good laugh along with their audience.
I remember a quote here: people the world over will die for religion, kill for religion, hurt for religion, suffer for religion; everything & anything for religion--EXCEPT live for religion. Guess the one who quoted this didn't come across a Sardarji--else he would have made an exception.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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Hi Sidhuji, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing out our Rich heritage so beautifully.I feel proud to be a Sikh. Regards, HARPREET KAUR
From India, Lucknow
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From India, Lucknow
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Good Post sindhu jee...........................but cruels have no religion......... anyways a good post to make ppl known that its not fair to make a fun of sardars....
From Pakistan, Karachi
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From Pakistan, Karachi
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Hi Sindhu N R,
Thank you for posting this on Cite HR. I don't belong to a Sardar's family, but I always respect this religion as it is mine. Sikh people have made many sacrifices to save humanity.
Regards,
Meenakshi
From India, Chandigarh
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Thank you for posting this on Cite HR. I don't belong to a Sardar's family, but I always respect this religion as it is mine. Sikh people have made many sacrifices to save humanity.
Regards,
Meenakshi
From India, Chandigarh
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Thank you for bringing out such enlightening facts. I believe that we must remember that various religions, at their core, talk about the oneness of humanity and the advocacy of human rights. We can firmly visualize that none of the Avatars, Prophets, Gurus, or Masters (if they were physically present in today's times) would advocate making fun of any other religion.
God Bless All,
M S
From India, Lucknow
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God Bless All,
M S
From India, Lucknow
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