with the Guru, but how long are we to endure this annoyance ? ' The minister repHed, ' O Raja, I see no solution of the difficulty except reconciliation with the Guru/ All the other principal state officers who were consulted gave similar replies. Bhim Chand then decided that he would send an envoy to ascertain if the Guru had any intention of making an abiding peace with him.
' The envoy, who was selected from the most polished officials of the state, duly delivered his master's message praying for peace and forgetfulness of the past. The Guru replied, * I have not fallen out with Raja Bhim Chand, but he hath fallen out with me. See what deceit he exercised in his efforts to obtain my elephant. When his marriage proces- sion went to Srinagar, he endeavoured to kill my minister and his troops. It was only by God's special favour they escaped. Even then thy Raja left nothing undone against us, for he incited Fatah Shah who had been my friend to make war on us. Here again God protected us and we obtained the victory. O envoy, our army hath taken possession of no fort or village of yours. My troopers are grievously in want of grass for their horses, and goats' flesh for themselves. These can only be obtained from your villages. If we do not obtain them on payment we must starve, but we do not desire to accept anything else from you.'
The envoy smiled and said, ' Consider Raja Bhim Chand' s country as thine own. He is very anxious to meet thee, and if thou permit me I will conduct him here.' The Guru replied, ' In Guru Nanak's house men meet their deserts. If any one with lowly mind enter therein, he shall be happy ; but if any one, lifting his head too high, enter it, his life shall pay the forfeit. Then plainly tell thy Raja that if he entertain friendly intent, he may come to me, and he shall be received with due consideration.' The Raja was very pleased on receiving this message,
LIFE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 51
and at once made elaborate preparations for his visit to the Guru.
When Bhim Chand was introduced into the Guru's presence he said, ' O true Guru, thy name is cherisher of those who seek thy protection. I pray thee to pardon and forget any fooUsh words I might have uttered or any foolish acts I might have done.' The Guru repHed, ' O Raja, I have not been thine aggres- sor. The aggression hath been all on thy side. If thou act fairly towards the Guru, he will act fairly towards thee.' Bhim Chand promised to act for the future according to the Guru's wishes. Upon this the Guru gave him a magnificent robe of honour, and dismissed him highly dehghted with the inter- view.
The Guru's wife Sundari now presented him with a son named Ajit Singh on the fourth day of the bright half of Magh, Sambat 1743 (a. d. 1687).
Chapter VII
During the absence of the Emperor Aurangzeb in the south of India, whither he had gone to make war on Tana Shah, King of Golkanda,^ there arose great administrative irregularities. At that time Mian Khan was viceroy of Jammu. He sent his commander-in-chief, Alif Khan, to levy tribute on Kripal, Raja of Kangra, Kesari Chand, Raja of Jaswal, Prithi Chand, Raja of Dadhwal, Sukh Dev, Raja of Jasrot, and others. AHf Khan first addressed himself to Raja Kripal, ' Either pay me suitable tribute or contend with me in arms.' Kripal made him certain presents, and then told him that Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur was the greatest of all the aUied hill chiefs. Were he first to pay tribute, all the rest would follow his example, and then there would
^ Golkanda was then the capital of the state of Haidarabad in the Dakhan.
E 2
be no necessity for warfare. If, however, Bhim Chand were to refuse and elect the alternative of war, Kripal would still support Ahf Khan. Raja Dayal, the chief of Bijharwal, probably persuaded by Raja Kripal, also promised to meet Ahf Khan's demands.
Alif Khan adopted Raja Kripal' s suggestion and__ proceeded towards Bilaspur, Raja Bhim Chand' S\ capital. Halting at Nadaun he sent an envoy to Bhim Chand with the same demand as he had previously made Kripal. Bhim Chand rephed that he would rather defend himself than pay tribute. Having dispatched this message he cahed his prin- cipal officials to a council of war. His prime minister thus advised him—' If thou desire victory, it shall be assured on condition that thou obtain the Guru's assistance.' This advice pleased Bhim Chand, and he accordingly sent the prime minister to the Guru to request his active support.
\ The Guru pondered on the proposal and accepted it for the following reasons :— The friendship between himself and Raja Bhim Chand was duly ratified, and it would be a shame to him if, by his refusal to render assistance, his friend were defeated. Secondly, Bhim Chand' s prime minister had put himself under the Guru's protection as a suppliant, and the Guru felt that he could not refuse his prayer. He accordingly sent Raja Bhim Chand the following message, ' I shall be with thee early on the morrow. Pay no tribute to the Turks. If thou pay it to-day, there will be another demand on thee to-morrow. But if thou fight and cause the Turks to retreat, then shall no one molest thee.'
Raja Bhim Chand on receiving this promise made certain of his victory. Raja Kesari Chand, Raja Prithi Chand, and Raja Sukh Dev took their forces to join his, and all proceeded to Nadaun to give battle to Ahf Khan, Raja Kripal, and Raja Dayal' s troops. These were encamped on an eminence, and
LIFE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 53
had therefore superiority of position. Bhim Chand ineffectually essayed to take them by surprise, but the arrows and bullets which his troops discharged only struck rocks and trees, and inflicted no loss on the enemy. Bhim Chand, much disheartened, in- voked with all fervour, Hanuman, the monkey-god who had assisted Ram Chandar in his expedition against Ceylon, and called on his allies to join him in another charge. This was met by Raja Kripal and Raja Dayal's forces, who slew all the men that succeeded in scaling the eminence. Bhim Chand had now almost lost all hope when the minister reminded him that the Guru's troops had not yet entered the field. The Guru receiving Bhim Chand' s summons, mounted his steed, and at once proceeded to his assistance.
Bhim Chand, after greeting the Guru, requested him, who was senior as well by virtue of his spiritual rank as by the bravery of his troops, to storm the enemies' position. The Guru and his troops dis- charged fatal arrows, rushed the stockades, and created dismay in the ranks of the enemy. Alif Khan, Raja Kripal, and Raja Dayal now thought it time to leave their fastnesses and come forth to confront Bhim Chand and the Guru. Their main attack was directed against Bhim Chand whom they caused to retreat. Prithi Chand endeavoured to restrain Bhim Chand' s retreating forces, and single- handed, with drawn sword, set himself to oppose Alif Khan and Dayal' s onset. So completely did he succeed that Alif Khan and his allies' troops turned to flee. Raja Dayal was enraged at seeing his troops retreating, and began to ply his arrows with such fatal effect on his opponents that Bhim Chand's troops again wavered. Upon this Bhim "Chand again addressed himself to the Guru, * O Guru, seest thou not that this brave man is destroying our army ? If I am defeated, thou shaft have the odium thereof.' The Guru at once turned his steed
round and challenged Raja Dayal, ' If thou mean to strike, then deal the first blow. Say not hereafter that the Guru hath struck thee unawares.' This enraged Dayal, who at once made a desperate effort to kill the Guru. The Guru, seeing this, took steady aim with his musket and lodged a bullet in Dayal' s breast. Dayal fell like a tree blown down by the wind.
When Raja Kripal saw his brave ally fallen, he knew that his cause was lost. He, however, put him- self in the van and made a desperate effort to retrieve the disaster. The Guru, now in full martial temper, incessantly discharged arrows which took deadly effect on the enemy. The survivors again fled to their fastnesses. Upon this Alif Khan and Kripal held a council of war. They both accepted the fact that they had been defeated owing to the assistance given Bhim Chand by the Guru, and they resolved to escape at night. In this they succeeded. When the allied army next morning found the ground un- occupied, they were profuse in their praises and acknowledgements to the Guru. The Guru in order to take rest and enjoy retirement and contemplation remained for eight days after the battle on the pleasant and picturesque banks of the river Bias.
Raja Kripal proposed a reconciHation with Raja Bhim Chand, which, after some negotiations, was duly effected. The Guru on hearing this was greatly pleased. He decided on a speedy return to Anand- pur, and caused his drum to be beaten as the signal for his departure. His party arrived at Alsun on their way. The inhabitants, having heard of Raja Bhim Chand's secret ill-will to the Guru, refused to sell his troops supplies. On this the Guru, owing to the necessity of travel, was compelled to order that supplies be forcibly taken after payment at current rates. When the Guru approached Anandpur he caused his drum to be beaten. The inhabitants on
LIFE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 55
hearing the once familiar sound joyously came forth to receive him.
The Guru's wife, Jito, presented him with a son on the seventh day of the month of Chet, Sambat 1747. The boy was called Zorawar Singh, or the powerful lion, to commemorate the battle of Nadaun.^
When it became known that the Sikhs had taken supplies forcibly at Alsun, some of the hill chiefs feared that the Guru would some day seize their territories also. Others were of a contrary opinion, and remained steadfast in their friendship for him. Some of the inhabitants of Anandpur who wavered in their loyalty, left the city lest they might suffer in any attack made on it by the Guru's enemies. In this movement, however, they were far from successful. Branded with infamy they could obtain no place of rest elsewhere, and were glad to return and sue for the Guru's pardon.
One Dilawar Khan, who had attained power in the Panjab during the insurrections which arose while Aurangzeb was employed in the Dakhan, became jealous of the Guru's fame and success, and sent his son with a force of one thousand men to exact tribute from him. If he refused, then Anandpur was to be sacked. When this was accomplished, Dilawar' s son was to take tribute in a similar manner from all the hill rajas. The son hastened to obey the paternal command. When he reached the bank of the Satluj one of the Guru's scouts hastened to give information of the approach of a hostile force. The Guru was roused from his sleep at night to receive this intelligence and make hasty preparations for defence.
The Guru immediately ordered the drum to be beaten as the signal for his troops to take arms. His men fell into line almost immediately and marched to the Satluj . On their arrival they startled
^ We here follow the Suraj Parkdsh and the Gur Bt'lds. Others say it was Jujhar Singh who was born in the Sambat year 1747.
the enemy by peals of artillery, and thus gave an exaggerated idea of their numbers. Dilawar Khan's son, seeing that his men were suffering from the cold and unable to hold their weapons, yielded to the representations of his officers to beat a retreat. On their return march they plundered the town of Barwa. After that they marched to Bhalan, where they halted for two days and lived on the plunder of the village. They thence returned to Dilawar Khan. The son through shame durst not reply to his father when he censured him for his cowardice and the failure of his expedition.
Dilawar Khan had a slave called Husain, who boasted that if his master gave him an army he would plunder the Guru's city, Anandpur, exact tribute from Raja Bhim Chand, and return home either with tribute or the heads of the recusant hill chiefs. To effect these various objects, Dilawar Khan gave him command of two thousand men, with whom he promptly marched to Anandpur.
The Guru kept his troops in readiness to oppose the Muhammadans. Meanwhile the latter were plundering the towns and villages through which they marched. They also attacked and were victori- ous over the Raja of Dadhwal. Seeing this and also the strength of Husain' s army, the faithless Raja Bhim Chand broke his treaty with the Guru, and threw in his lot with his enemies. Bhim Chand, following the example of Raja Kripal of Kangra, paid tribute to Husain, and in company with other traitorous chiefs proceeded with him to sack and destroy Anandpur. On hearing this the Guru's mother, Diwan Nand Chand, the Guru's three sur- viving cousins, and the masands, all waited on the Guru. His mother said, ' The brave Husain with a large army will soon be upon us, and thou hast not yet prepared for battle. My son, depute some masand to go and make peace with him.' The Guru replied, ' Mother dear, be not in haste. I am only
LIFE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 57
doing the work which the immortal God assigned me. The same immortal God will not allow him whom thou counsel lest me to fear to approach me. He shall perish before he reacheth Anandpur.'
When Husain was on his way to Anandpur, Raja Gopal of Guler sent an envoy to say that he desired to meet him. Husain replied that he would be glad to see Gopal if he gave him a subsidy as Raja Bhim Chand and Kripal had done. Raja Gopal went with Raja Ram Singh to meet him. Gopal took some money with him, and went and sat in council with Bhim Chand and the other hill chiefs who were in Husain' s camp. Husain was not pleased with Gopal's contribution, and told him to go home and bring as much again. Gopal set out for the purpose. On his homeward way he changed his mind, and decided that it would be more profitable to fight with Husain than give him more money. He accord- ingly sent a messenger to inform him of his deter- mination. When Husain received this message, he changed his objective from Anandpur to Guler to do battle with Gopal. He vowed that he would first destroy Gopal's city and then march on Anandpur.
In pursuance of his vow Husain proceeded to Guler and invested it. The citizens were soon reduced to great straits, and the army asked permission to force their way out and contend with the Muhammadans in the open field. Raj a Gopal replied, ' Have patience ; I will at once send an envoy to make peace with Husain.' Husain's terms were the payment of ten thousand rupees, otherwise he would put Gopal and his troops to death and destroy their fortress. Gopal, unable to accept the terms, sent an envoy to the Guru to pray him to negotiate the desired peace with Husain. The Guru accordingly sent his agent San- gatia with an escort of seven troopers and orders to conclude such a peace between the combatants as would be advantageous to Gopal.
Sangatia first took counsel with Bhim Chand and
Kripal. Bhim Chand said, ' O Sikh, we have been waiting for thee. We advise thee to send for Raja Gopal at once, and effect a reconcihation between him and Husain.' In pursuance of this object, Sangatia, who knew that Bhim Chand and Kripal were on Husain's side, took an oath from them that if he could succeed in bringing Gopal to them for the purpose of arranging peace, they would not molest him. Sangatia then went to Gopal and stated all the circumstances. He promised Gopal that the Guru would conduct him to Bhim Chand and Kripal who were with Husain, and again take him back in safety to his fort. Sangatia added that if Husain did not agree to peace, but accepted the fate of battle, Gopal should by the Guru's favour be victorious.
When Gopal reached the allied chiefs, Bhim Chand told him that if he paid the tribute demanded all would be well. Gopal still refused to pay the money, and said Husain might do as he pleased. Upon this, Kripal plotted with Bhim Chand to arrest him and make him over to Husain. Gopal, who heard their intention, contrived to elude them, and having retired to the protection of his army sent a message of defiance to his enemies.
On one side were ranged Husain, Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur, and Raja Kripal of Kangra. On the other were Raja Gopal of Guler and Raja Ram Singh, a powerful chief who was in alliance with him. The fight began with indescribable vehemence. The Guru's envoy Sangatia and his seven Sikhs were slain. Husain having fought with great bravery perished on the battle-field. Raja Kripal of Kangra was slain. Himmat and Kimmat, two of Husain's officers, were also slain. On seeing this, Bhim Chand fled with his army. Gopal then went with large offerings to the Guru and thanked him for his support and his prayers for the victory.
Some masands escaped to the neighbouring hills
LIFE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH 59
and proclaimed themselves gurus. In this they had a twofold object. The Emperor Aurangzeb sent his son Muazzim, afterwards known as Bahadur Shah, into the Panjab to collect tribute, and the masands feared that they should have to part with their wealth both to the Emperor and the Guru. It does not appear that the Emperor's son remained long in the Panjab or committed any depredations there. He was succeeded by General Mirza Beg, who. peremptorily demanded tribute from the hill chiefs. They represented that the masands who had settled in their territories, were in possession of great wealth of which they had plundered the Guru and his Sikhs, and which they might be called upon to dis- gorge. Mirza Beg proceeded against them, stripped them of all they possessed, and subjected them to ex- quisite tortures. Any that escaped from him were afterwards punished by four other equally relent- less officers who succeeded him.
A third son, Jujhar Singh, was now born to the Guru on Sunday, the first day of the second half of the month of Magh, Sambat 1753, A. d. 1697. This was his wife Jito's second son.
Among those who went to the Guru to congratu- late him on the birth of his son were many bards, Sanyasis, Udasis, and Bairagis, who had often lis- tened to the Guru's conversation. At that time too came a bard called Kuwar, son of a famous poet called Kesho Das of Bundhelkhand. Aurangzeb had tried to convert Kuwar forcibly to Islam, upon which he fled for protection to the Guru. He pre- sented a very humble metrical petition, which the Guru was pleased to accept. The Guru took him into his service on a liberal salary, and in a similar way welcomed all bards who came to him for employment.
The practice of arms was never lost sight of at the Guru's court. Even his eldest son, A jit Singh, though now only ten years of age, was duly instructed in the
6o THE SIKH RELIGION
use of offensive and defensive weapons. The Guru used to take Zorawar Singh in his lap while he watched Ajit Singh fencing. Jujhar Singh too used to be brought by his nurse to witness the performance and imbibe from infancy a love for martial exer- cises. The Guru used often to inform his children of what the country had suffered from the Turks, so it behoved them to learn how to protect them- selves and their Sikhs.
Jito in due time gave birth to a third son, Fatah Singh, who was born on Wednesday, the eleventh day of Phagan, Sambat 1755, a. d. 1699. This was the Guru's fourth son in all.
Chapter VIII
One day the Sikhs asked a pandit who used to read epic poems to the Guru, ' Are the deeds attri- buted to Bhim, Arj an, and others, real or exaggerated? ' The pandit, thus addressed, actuated by greed, de- cided to mislead his questioners, and replied, ' Bhim, Arj an, and the rest were really as powerful as they are described to have been. This was the result of their sacrifices and burnt offerings in honour of Durga which made her visible to them.' The Sikhs then prayed the pandit to show them how they could behold the goddess, and vanquish their enemies. The pandit, on hearing this, inwardly rejoiced that the Sikhs had at last fallen into his power, and, what he deemed more important, that he had found an opportunity of making a compe- tence for himself. He replied, ' Although no god or goddess becometh visible in this Kal age, yet such a manifestation may be possible by a due expendi- ture of money and by the performance of certain^ acts of devotion. Were the goddess Durga to appear, she would fulfil all your desires. But a great feast must first be celebrated, and a trial made as to who