Reapan Tikoo
While growing-up in Kashmir in the eighties of the last century; my family would travel to the far away Delhi; to visit Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib. My grandfather explaining the significance of this pilgrimage. Sadly many of the countrymen don’t know about this sacred place, today.
In the last quarter of 17th Century, our country saw their right and liberties being snatched by the foreign rulers; an attempt was being made to chage who we are.
In May’1675, Pandit Kripa Ram Dutt and others travelled from Martand, Kashmiri to Anantpur Sahib; and brought this to the notice of Revered Guru Teg Bahadur.
Revered Guru raised the voice for the countrymen and soon was imprisoned and tortured at Delhi; finally beheaded at Sis Ganj at Chandani Chowk, on November 11, 1675. A century laters when Sikh’s conquered Delhi; in 1783 they built the Gurdwara Sis Gunj.
The sacrifice of the Revered Guru brought the countrymen out of passivity; and galvanised the Nation against the barbaric, chauvinistic and toxic foreign rulers. We as a Country continue with our ancient way of life, thanks to the Revered Guru. The indebted Nation gave the title of “Hind-di-Chadar” i.e. the Shield of Bharat, to the revered Guru. Since 1979, on Republic Day, the Sikh Regiment salutes twice; the President of India and the Gurdwara Sis Ganj.
Pandit Kirpa Ram Dutt returned to Anantpur and taught Guru’s son Gobind; the founder of the Khalsa Panth. In 1699, Dutt received Amrit and joined Khalsa and was known as Kripa Singh. Pandit Kirpa Singh Khalsa fell a martyr in the battle of Chamkaur on December 7, 1705.
The Guru’s Kashmir link; and its impact on the whole country is little known; it should be made part of the School curriculum.
