The Rajputra who built the Sikh Empire: Veer Vairagi Banda Bahadur

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Before reading about Banda Bairagi, just ask your self  have you ever heard this name before? After reading this Chapter think whose fault is this that you are unaware about the name of the Man whose greatness is much bigger than Napoleon of France, Hannibal first Caesar of Rome, Alfred of England and any other European conqueror. In the District Punch city, Rajauri and region was Kashyap or Kundal van (now Kashmir). A child was born on 1727 samvat (17/10/1670 A.D.) in a Dogra Rajput family. He was named as Lakshaman Dev. But, destiny has decided his name as Veer Banda Bahadur. His father's name was Ramdev. He was totally different from the boys of his age. He was determined for his aim. Till he reached the age of 16 he took an expertise on Archery, Sword Playing, Spear throwing and was acquainted with all types of military training which is needed to be known by a Rajputra. One day when he was on a Hunting trip in a jungle, an incident changed his whole life. We had already read in past, how incidents changed lives of Prince Siddhartha to Mahatma Gautama, Kali to scholar Kalidas, Rambola to Saint Tulsidas, a Robber Ratnakar to Maharishi Valmiki and Mool Shankar to Maharishi Dayananda. This was time of Laksman Dev to Veer Banda Vairagi.

  The enthusiastic Lakshaman was on his hunting expedition in the forest when he saw a Deer. He started chasing the deer.The Deer tried to flee but could not escape from Lakshaman dev.  The arrow from the bow of Lakshaman pierced through the stomach of the deer. The baby of the deer died in front of the eyes of Lakshaman dev. The scene was so painful for Lakshaman that he decided to leave hunting. The Vairagya was awakened inside him. No one saw the Lakshaman Dev after that day.

  Islamic atrocities were at the peak in those days. Mughals had forgotten the words of Babar which he taught to Humayun that "...do not interfere in the traditions of Hindus if you want to stay here in Hindustan". There is always a Hero for villains to overcome them for example the Marathas from the south, Sikhs from the North, descendents of Maharana Sanga & Maharana Pratap, Rana Raj Singh from West & Chatrashal from the east challenged the barbarians. Guru Govind Singh was the tenth Guru of Sikhs. He raised his sword against Mughals. Guru Govind Singh's father Guru Teg Bahadur was brutally murdered along with his 700 followers by Aurangzeb as he refused to accept Islam. Guru Govind Singh was an excellent policy maker and learned scholar of Veda Shastras. He understood that if he really wants to eradicate the tyrant rule of Mughals from the holy land of Aryavarta he needs a army of Kshatriyas who think that their only Dharma is to fight with these Islamic barbarians. So, he established Khalsa (means pure i.e., Arya) in 1699. He set five standards of "K" in order to make his Khalsa army undisturbed from their enemy.

 Guru Govind Singh first tried to convince the rulers of hilly areas. At that time Himanchal was a composition of 22 Hindu kings who were taxpayers of Mughals. The rulers of Himanchal refused to fight against Mughals to free the Nation  from Demons. Guru Govind Singh understood that they will not follow his kind words unless they won't be treated as Mughals supporters. The Battle of Bhagani took place between Guru Govind Singh and 22 Himanchal rulers. Guru ji tasted the victory and he forgave the Hindu kings as they were now ready to fight against the Mughals. Aurangzeb was keeping an eye on Guru ji’s activities he soon sent an army lead by his son Muazam, when his son failed to win, troops from the Lohagarh was sent. The Himanchal rulers were frightened after the Naden battle. The battle of khandrawa took place in 1706 A.D. After that Guru ji turned towards Anandpur sahib. After the Battle of Chamkaur, Guru ji lost all his family. All four of his sons were killed in which two sons Ajit Singh (16 years) & Jujhar Singh (14 years) sacrificed their life on the battlefield. Two sons Fateh Singh and Jorawar Singh (9 yr & 7 yrs) were buried alive inside the wall of sir Hind fort. Guru ji’s heart broken Mother Mata Gujri jumped from the building and died in sorrow. Guru ji two wives Sundari & Sahab Devi remained captured by the Mughals.

  Guru Govind Singh was having hard time. He shifted towards the South to take help from Marathas. On his journey he met a Sadhu Narayana Das who told him about a reknown Sadhu of Maharashtra Sadhu Madhavdas. This Sadhu was non other than Lakshaman dev. In the meantime Lakshmandas met with a Sadhu Vairagi Jankidas whom he served very well. Vairagi Jankidas was pleased with Lakshamandev and taught him Yoga vidya. Soon, Lakshamandev became a famous Yogi Madhavdas by his utmost labour. When Guru Govind Singh & Madhavdas met each other in Nader (in Maharashtra), both the souls identified each other. Guru ji saw the physique of Banda Vairagi & Vairagi was so pleased to see the Guru Govind Singh. Then, Guru Govind Singh asked him who are you, he replied “I am your servant (Banda)”. Guru ji embraced him & said we all are the servants (Banda) of eternal God. Then Guru Ji explained about the tyranny of Mughals. He explained that a Vairagi burns not only his sins but eradicates injustice & sufferings. Guru Ji explained him about the social conditions of India. Banda Vairagi accepted the kind words of Guru Govind Singh. Guru ji gave him 50 arrows and 50 Sikhs & went ahead. He died later in 1708 A.D.

   Banda Vairagi went towards the Punjab. As Vairagi was back in Kshatriya dharma he was determined to follow the Gita rule "Vinashaye cha dush kritam.”. The fort of Sir Hind was on the top of the list as it was the same fort where the young sons of Guru Govind Singh were buried alive inside the wall. Banda made a strategy in order of his strength. He followed the rules of Acharya Chanakya & started attacking on the small bases of Mughals. Then Banda achieved some strength from Rajasthan & Haryana. He first attacked on Garhi. Garhi was a base of Islamic Butchers like Ali Hasan (who deceived Guru Govind Singh) and Jallaluddin who killed Guru Teg Bahadur, also belonged to this place. Ali Hasan led the Shahi army of Mughals to fight with Banda Bahadur and his small army. But Victory follows zeal, strategy and Gallantry. Ali Hasan was cut to pieces along with his whole army. All the military requirements were taken and the evil Muslims residing in the state were punished. This expedition continued for three days. Tit for Tat, it’s the best political decision. No mercy for these evils. Hearing this Victory of Banda Vairagi, all the Hindu population got excited. Young men started joining his army. Sikhs who were hiding in jungles joined him. Without wasting time Banda captured Ambala. After that he achieved victory each day. Sifabad, Jhambaru, Dhamal, Kaithal, Kunjpura where ever he went victory welcomed him. It seemed that Parashuram was back on this earth. He heard that Cow slaughtering was very common in Basti Pathana. A village Hariya were the rangan Muslims of criminal mentality harassed the Hindu population. One day two of his sepoys captured some Muslims who were slaughtering cows. The sepoys fought and sacrificed their life. When Banda heard about the culprits he surrounded the village & burned it to the ground. Not a single cow killer got any chance to escape. Soon he targeted a similar village Sandaura whose head Asman khan was engaged in temples devastations, capturing of Hindu girls, cow killing etc he also received same fate as others. Hindus started respecting Banda as an incarnation of God, some called him next Guru. His fame spreaded all over Punjab. Hindus came from different parts of the region to request him to save their lives from Muslims. Some Brahmans came from Balod village and complained about the Head of the Village Manne Khan. Hearing about the sufferings of the Villager’s Banda’s blood boiled. He attacked the Village. The culprits were burned in fire. Those who want to come out were cut like vegetables.

  Many Hindu’s may ask the question was this justice? So, we should never forget and remember that Banda was a Saint who spend his years to discover the truth and  learn the difference between right and wrong. He knew  to cure the disease from its root. Cancer cannot be cured if even a single infected cell remains inside the body. Shri Krishna gave his huge army to kauravs though his army has nothing to do with the assult on Draupadi. Social & Political Justice is the ability of highly learned men. Banda was one of them. Live and let live is our culture. Banda boasted the morals of Hindus which was very necessary at that time. Any Muslim could kidnap a Hindu girl; he could insult Hindu gods/goddess idols. Governing post for Hindu’s was a big dream; Hindus had to pay tax (jijya) to remain Hindu. In fact, being a Hindu is a crime in Islamic India. Veer Haqiqat Rai event took place at the same time. Guru Arjun Dev Guru Teg Bahadur and his 700 supporters including Bhai Matidas who was ripped in two parts by a saw were all brutally murdered. It was Hindu’s who suffered all tortures to save their Vedic religion.

        Banda did not keep any thing for him self, he distribute all the goods amongst his army. He also gives the commands of regions to his able officers. Nawabs of Sir Hind sent his troops of 5000 men hearing that Banda was going to attack him. The conflict took place in Ropad city. The Banda did not have the heavy armoury which Sir Hind troops were possessed. But Banda was an excellent archer he aimed specially at the cannon masters and killed many officers of sir hind army. The Islamic troops of sir Hind were badly terrified by the Banda Bahadur.

They had never seen such a great warrior. They lost courage to face Banda again. But soon Banda attacked them; the army in fear of Banda left Nawab and ran from the battlefield. Banda moved towards Sir Hind fort after winning the Ropad war. Sir Hind was the place  which he was eagerly waiting from the start of his strives. In Samvat 1765(1708 A.D) he addressed his army and told them “that a race who cannot defend its belief and traditions don't have right to live”. Devastate this fort, as this fort is responsible for all the evils that took place in this vast region of Punjab he told his soldiers. Sardar Baaj Singh attacked from the North and Vinod Singh confronted from the south. Wazir Khan commanding in charge of Sir Hind was terrified of the Banda he had heard enough about the invincible gallant of the Rajput Warrior, even though he was having ten times more army then Banda. War was going on but the cannons from the fort are sweeping the Sikhs on large scale. Sardar Vinod Singh reached towards Banda Bahadur and told him about their condition of Khalsa in war. Banda opened his eyes, and marched towards the battlefield with anger. People called him a magician whose presence just turned the tables. The Khalsa started dominating as he reached the battle ground. Soon, the dominance was out of control of Wazir khan. Banda Bahadur challenged Wazir khan that he was a Rajput and you are a Pathan. Let's see who will keep the respect of our mother’s milk but Wazir khan was trembling with fear. He tried to escape but was captured. 12th May the day of Sir Hind Vijaya(Victory). The Saffron flag was hoisted on Sir Hind fort. It was the biggest victory of Khalsa army because of Banda Bahadur Military skills. The sir hind was wiped clean within seven days. The temples that were made into mosques were returned into temples. Court was established and Wazir Khan was brought there. He was asked that why he buried the sons of a Great Soul Guru Govind Singh alive. Wazir Khan was burnt alive in fire.

   After Sir Hind he marched to Doaba. Pamal, Maler Kotla. Those areas which lie in between Doaba excluding some part of Ludhiana were captured without much bloodshed. After that he undertook Panipat and Karnal were he disconnected the communication and transportation between Delhi & Lahore. It was well planned strategy to get to Lahore as Lahore was second base of Mughals after Delhi. Banda was in full mood to eradicate Mughals from the Northern part of India. He reached Phagwada & called Jaladhar Nawab to fight but Nawab was so frightened that he surrendered without war and asked to serve him. Crossing the Beas River he reached Manjha (Amritsar). This area belonged to Hindu majority so he was warmly welcomed. He marched towards Hoshiarpur where all Islamic armies gathered to fight with him. At Baijwada the armies conflicted with each other but as the dusk came Muslims started retreating. Next day again the Muslim army attacked Hindus.  Soon the commander of their army was killed by Banda Bahadur. His death gave the victory into the hands of Khalsa . All the area between Yamuna and Sutlej came under the Banda's command which he gave to Baba Vinod Singh. Sardar Baaj Singh and Fateh Singh were given command to undertake all captured and uncaptured area. Within two years from Karnal-Panipat  Hissar,Hansi,Tarawadi,Taithal,Jind,Sirsa,Firozpur,Chuniya,Kasur,Gurdaspur,Pathankot, Kangda regions were under the Saffron flag. Really it was a miracle. No one had before ever conquered such vast area during Mughals rule this way at such a rapid rate. Muslim were so terrified by him and the Name of Banda was more than enough to get victory.

For Muslim’s he was supposed to be Jinn (ghost) whom they can never won by force. He was invincible.

 Banda now concentrated towards hilly areas. Nalagarh Nahan the ruler happily accepted to serve Banda. His rule was now from Yamuna to Ravi. But some regions were still uncaptured. So, Banda wrote a letter to the ruler of Jejo kailore Ajmer Chand to unite for the nation. But, the arrogant king replied insulting him and Guru Govind Singh. Banda had utmost respect for Guru Govind Singh. He was doing all this because of his inspiration. Banda replied him that his sin is unforgiven as he insulted Guru Govind Singh so he marched toward Kailore where the armies of 22 kings were awaiting for his attack. Ajmer chand was slaughtered in the war as he died all the remaining kings accepted the Governance of Banda Bairagi. People not only respected him as a warrior but also as a saint. The king of Mandi was a great fan of Bairagi he insisted him to come to his kingdom. Banda stayed there for a year.

       In 1707 Aurangzeb died in Maharashtra in a place called Aurangabad (some people say he was killed by Marathas). Bahadur Shah was the successor but he was totally horrified with the stories of Banda Bahadur. When he went to Ajmer Sharif he put his sword in front of his supporter and asked them to pick it if they wanted to fight against Banda. No one came forward. In between Banda was not in Punjab. It was taken as the right time to attack by Mughals. Behind him Mughals started killing Sikhs again. Rumors like Bairagi had fled, died etc were raised among the people.  Delhi sent a heavy army towards Panipat & sir hind. Baba Vinod Singh get feared from this heavy army and reached the sir hind fort. At Aminabad, Sikhs & Mughals fought but Sikhs were butchered. Sikhs were beaten by tying their hairs on tree till death. Atrocities were on extreme. Soon, Sir Hind was taken by Manin Khan. The Hindu oppression was started again. Aslam khan marched towards Lahore. When Banda Bahadur heard this news in kullu he at once marched towards Hoshiarpur. As he reached there, Hindus & Sikhs got full of zeal. He started his winning campaign again. He took back sir hind again. He reconquered all the areas & taken the revenge of atrocities on Sikhs & Hindus. He distributed areas to his able commanders.

  Now, Banda marched towards Uttar Pradesh. He looked over Saharanpur where Ali Muhammad khan rules. Ali Muhammad khan was rising his army on the name of jihad. This jihad was accepted by Banda Bairagi and he called his army on crusade. For Hindu’s  Hindu Rashtra and Dharma are unseparable. Ali Muhammad khan was very frightened from inside so he gave the command to Sardar Galib Khan and he ran away. Galib Khan fought gallantly but was finally killed. Muslims faced defeat after defeat. Then Banda turned to Najimabad, the Pathan ruler Shahnawaj khan was soon sent to hell by Banda. After that a troop towards Jalalabad was sent. Pathan Jalal khan was brave so he blocked Banda's army for long time but as Banda reached there again victory favored Bhagwa. Pathans & Sheikhs were cleaned from that fort. He returned back to Lohagarh after these victories in U.P. He declared Amritsar as a free state.

     When he reached Gurdaspur and ordered to make a fort between Gurudas nangal and Sohal (Dhariwal). Jabardast Khan the Governor of Jammu who wouldn't tolerate a Hindu fort in Gurdaspur got excited. He attacked on his fort resulting that Muslims were killed on a large scale. Jabardast khan retreated leaving his men though he was killed later. Lahore Governor Hamid khan marched towards Sialkot. Large number of Sikh/Hindus and Muslims were killed in this battle. A sepoy named Kehar Singh of Banda’s army caught Hamid Khan & cut his head and presented it to Banda Bahadur. Soon, the Banda’s army got the victory. Sepoys were rewarded heavily. Kehar Singh was declared as the man behind this victory.

  Bahadur Shah was horrified with Banda’s continuous victories. Some historians write that he wrote him letter for peace. But Bahadur Shah got knowledge that he was again in the hilly areas. He sent his veteran commanders Asgar Khan, Samand Khan, Abdulla Khan & Noor Khan. The Mughals army captured Talwadi. Then, they reached towards Lohagarh. As the Mughals start retreating Rajput army came to help them and the table was turned. The only reason for our defeat is our selfish nature of some Rajput kings who compromised with Mughals. They never thought about our country and religion. Coming to the war Banda also reached the fort of Lohagarh. Both armies fought in Kot ambu kha. The Mughals were nearly 1 lakh and the Sikhs/Hindus were nearly 15-20,000 which are reducing. The army of Banda had to leave the place as the cannons are uncontrollable in the field. Banda then reached Lohagarh. Where the army was still safe. The fort was surrounded by Mughals army and was disconnected with the rest of the world. At the night Sikhs went out of the fort in search of food, many lost their lives. Banda knew things couldn't go on like this. So, Banda planned a duplicate Gulab Singh to bluff Mughals army and he escaped from the fort. When Bahadur Shah heard that Banda was captured he was rejoiced with pleasure but soon his bubble was busted when he knew that the prisoner was his Duplicate. The Mughal King was so frightened, he thought that some kind of jinn’s were helping him to get out. That Mughal king left Delhi for Lahore where he died in 1713. For two or three years the Mughal rule was unstable because of an usual fight for throne and power among the Mughals.

   Banda took advantage of the mughal throne divergence, the Sikh/Hindus started assembling in the shed of Saffron flag. This time war took place at Basigauv where the Hindu army got victory in spite of being out numbered by Mughal forces. Banda pushed forward to Kartarpur and then Sir Hind (Bhind). Ameen Khan was badly defeated there and he accepted the Saffron flag. Jaladhar ruler Faizali Khan and Saifulla Khan also accepted Banda's Governance. Banda again saffronised Haridwar.

   Farukhusear became ruler of Mughals throne after Bahadur Shah. He was a cunning man, and he knew that Banda is invincible by armed forces. He used the theory of divide and rule. He wrote a letter and conveyed it by a Hindu Ram Dayal to the wife of Guru Govind Singh Sundari Devi that he wanted peace and stating that Banda is blood thirsty of Mughals also wrote that Punjabi and Mughals will live peacefully. Sundari accepted his proposal and wrote a letter to Banda to accept this proposal. Banda knew very well that the aim of Guru Govind Singh was to establish Khalsa rule. So, when Banda read her letter he was surprised and wrote back that this is just a trick to divide us. Didn't she remember that they bluffed Guru Govind Singh & brutally murdered his sons. He couldn't forget the sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Arjun Dev. Sikhs  Hindu’s had suffered so much under the cruel hands that it’s not wise to forgive them. He is following Guru Govind Singh orders will continue following it. This reply made Sundari annoyed; she ordered all Sikhs not to support Banda as he is arrogant and insulted her and did not follow her orders. Those who will support Banda will be considered out of Sikhism.

  The jealous elements got a big chasm to cut this huge mountain. In Baisakhi of 1717 A.D, when Banda sat on the throne of the assembly, Baba Kahan Singh & Vinod Singh asked him to stand up. Whole assembly was divided into two parts dividing Khalsa. One was called "Tat Khalsa" & another was called "Bandai Khalsa". Tat Khalsa Sikhs went under Mughals flag. Now, only few Sikhs were left with Banda.

To increase his strength Banda started recruiting Vaishya and Brahmans in his army from Hindu society. Vaishya left balances and Brahmans left books both picked sword to save the Vedic Dharma. Soon, he trained his army but his army was not so strong as earlier.

 Now, the Hindu army and a few Sikhs of Banda fought with Mughals at Nanokot. It was a crusade for both the armies. Jai Dharma, Jai Bharat, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Maa Kali, Har Har Mahadev and Allaha hu Akbar Nara e tadbir slogans were raising from both sides. A heavy slaughter took place. Historians wrote that Banda Bahadur fought continually for three days sitting on the back of horse. Though, a heavy loss was beared by Hindu army but finally the victory went to Banda and his army. Again, Banda’s glory was all around. Without wasting time Banda wanted to march towards Lahore from Gurdaspur Fort. As his army reached Batala. Lahore and Delhi coalition forces was there to stop him. Mughals were badly frightened because they knew if they loose Lahore then they will have limited breath in Delhi and in India. Both the armies fought bravely but victory goes to Banda again. Banda reached Gurdaspur and ordered his army to prepare for Lahore. Banda reached Bagvanpure of Lahore city. Aslam Khan Governor of Lahore attacked on him with his 10,000 men. Banda captured the eastern zone till the end of day and waited for dawn. But, the next day dawn was full of darkness for Banda & his army and also for Punjab for the next 70-80 years. What Banda saw at the battlefield, it was not Mughals or Pathan in front of him. It was the 5000 Sikhs of tat Khalsa leaded by Meer Singh Khalsa in the harwal brigade of Mughals who were ready to fight with him on the shed of Islamic green flag. Banda was shocked. Banda picked the sword to take revenge for the children of Guru Govind Singh & to defend Khalsa panth of Guru Govind Singh. How can he raise sword on his own people. Banda took a step back.

 If that day those 5000 Sikhs didn't supported Mughals Lahore would have been under Banda’s rule. No Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah could have tortured Sikhs in future. Millions of Sikhs and Hindus lifes could have been saved. Banda wrote a letter to tat Khalsa head. He explained him that in Mahabharata though Kauravs and Pandav fought but Yuddhishtir said we are 106 when the outer forces come to our door to fight with us. Banda letter was read in there tat Khalsa community some supported him but final verdict was against him. A young Sikh said Mughals are not betraying us its Banda who is doing so.

The Sikh community kept his conditions to accept Khalsa, not to wear royal clothes, and accept all the decision of community. It was Banda who knew that to do  Khalsa work you don't need to be a Khalsa by name. Bairagi was a man of infinite potential. He never gave up his high morale. He marched towards kalanaur from Gurdaspur. The Nawab Fatedeen surrendered. Then, Sialkot was taken without any bloodshed because the Nawab ran away. Banda then took Wajirabad and Gujarat like small cities. He then captured Pothothar (now Islamabad).

        As Farukhusear heard about his victories, he send a war veteran Abdul Samand with a troop of 30,000 men towards Gurdaspur. Banda instantly marched towards Gurdaspur. Abdul Samand wrote a letter that he did not wish to fight with him soon he will leave the place. But in 1718 A.D Banda was badly surrounded by Mughals. Banda was having 10-12 thousand men but he could not fight for long without water and food. All the army inside the fort was starving and Banda himself became so thin that his bones could be seen. Finally, after four months fort gate was open to welcome the death. The Mughals started slaughtering and capturing Banda’s army. But, no one had courage to go near this Lion Banda Bahadur. Banda peaked from a window and signed Pathans to capture him.

     The man who was another name of fear over last 12 years was now taken in shackles caged and treated like a animal. He was sent towards delhi .On the way when ever his cage passed through Muslim areas rotten food and vegetables were thrown over him. Muslims distributed sweets while Hindus wept in their houses. When Banda in this cage reached Kashmiri gate of Delhi with his 740 men including his general Baaj Singh, Farukhusear came to greet Abdul Samand. Samand was awarded the Governance of Lahore. It is said that at Gurdaspur 1000 men were captured but when they reached Delhi only 740 remained alive. Banda’s face was painted with black and he was covered with sheep skin, his exhibition was kept for three days.

    Farukhusear asked Banda why he revolted against his empire. So, he replied that an empire without justice is not considered as an empire. Farukhusear asked him that why he killed Muslims, Banda replied that tit for tat is the only way to overcome from the unjust rule. Muslims supported Mughals in their injustice. Guilty must be punished so he did the same.

  Farukhusear ordered Qazi to start the Islamic court. Qazi put his condition that Banda’s life can be spared if he accepted Islam. Otherwise, his body will be cut one by one. Banda replied your Allah is biased because all the blames which are imposed on him will remain no more as he will accept Islam. A biased God is no God, I refuse to accept Islam.

 100 men were slaughtered by Butchers every day hence after Seventh day Banda was asked again will he accept Islam. Banda spit aside and said "NO". After that Qazi ordered butchers to use the extreme brutality. His young son was killed in front of him and his heart was forcibly inserted in his mouth by butchers. Red hot pliers were inserted inside the body of Banda again and again and flesh was taken away each time. Banda didn’t cry during the whole torture. He raised slogans of Jai Dharma over and over. When no flesh remained inside his body, he was tied behind the elephant and dragged. Finally, he was slaughtered into pieces.

    We just sing the lines "Purja Purja Kat mare Kabahu na chade khet" cut to pieces but never leave your belief but Banda did it. He had a pious soul otherwise he could have accepted Islam to take the revenge with the Sikhs who betrayed him. He could commit suicide inside the fort Gurdaspur but to open the eyes of tat Khalsa he accepted the insult & this painful death. Soon, the treaty was broken. Farukhusear started usual tortures on Sikhs. Imagine the last  decade of history without Banda Bahadur Punjab after Guru Govind singh death. No future of khalsa without him. After the death of Guru Govind it was he who looked for justice in Punjab. It was Banda who established first Sikhs empire. If Banda would have been supported by Sikhs he would have eradicated Islamic rule from Northern Aryavarta and expanded the Hindu rule up to Kandahar in Afghanistan. It was his firm base that helped Maharaja Ranjeet Singh to establish & expanx his rule upto Afganistan in later years. Banda lived for the Dharma. We all should feed babies with stories of gallant and bravery of Banda Bahadur so that each Hindu must learn lesson of protection of Vedic dharma. If we forget such great souls then it is shame for our race and on our patriotism.