The city of Muktsar is revered by the Sikhs as Sri Muktsar Sahib and is also referred to as “Khidrane dee dhab”. Situated in south-west Punjab and bordered by Haryana and Rajasthan on the south, Muktsar boasts of a rich heritage. The name “Muktsar” literally connotes “the pool of liberation” and is famous as the final battlefield of the mighty Guru Gobind Singh.
“Chali Mukte” or the troop of forty courageous Sikhs who fought a Mughal army that was chasing Guru Gobind Singh and sacrificed their lives on December 29, 1705. This incident that took place near Isharsar or the lake or “dhab” of Khidrana is remembered in the Sikh religious services and prayers. Guru Gobind Singh had witnessed this battle and, touched by the valor of the 40 martyrs, had named them the “forty immortals” or “Chali Mukte”. Thus Khidrana came to be known as “the pool of liberation” or Sri Muktsar Sahib. The brave act by the forty martyrs was considered even more special as by this they had redeemed their earlier defection of being disloyal towards their Guru and deserting him.
The Battle of Khidrāne Dee Dhāb took place in 1705, following the siege of Anandpur. In 1704, Anandpur was under an extended siege by the allied forces of the Mughals and the hill chiefs. Provisions were completely exhausted and the Khalsa lived on leaves and the bark of trees. The Jats of Majha made up their mind to go home. The Guru would not let them leave unless they signed a disclaimer saying that they were no longer the Sikhs of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Out of hundreds of Sikhs, only forty put their thumb impression on the disclaimer; they were then permitted to leave Anandpur. This was during the siege of Sri Anandpur Sahib, which lasted eight months long, involved about 10,000 Sikh Soldiers under the 10th Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and lacs of million mughals who had invaded the holy city. Each of the Hill Rajas, except about three groups were fighting along side the Mughal Imperial Army.
The forty deserters from Anandpur lived in the Majha region in the district of Amritsar. Upon reaching their village and having meet their families, all 40 Singh's were asked on how they returned without Guru Sahib, how was Guru Sahib and so on. All families were more concerned to hear the pleasant news about Guru Sahib and his well being rather than rejoicing the return of their family member. On knowing the fact that they have left the Guru Sahib for the sake of family pleasure in between the battle, families of all 40 Singh's disowned them and wished for having seen their martyred bodies ,than being called relatives of apostates.
All 40 Singh's disheartened, assembled at the village Gurdwara, in those days known as Dharmshal. It was a divine coincidence that katha being carried out at that time was as follows:
The apostate is a big sinner ਬੇਮੁਖ ਘੋਰ ਪਾਪੀ ਹਨ
Displaying Vaar 34, Pauri 16 of 21
੧੬ : ਬੇਮੁਖ ਘੋਰ ਪਾਪੀ ਹਨ
ਬਾਮ੍ਹਣ ਗਾਂਈ ਵੰਸ ਘਾਤ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਕਰਾਰੇ।
Baamhan Gaanee Vans Ghaat Aparaadh Karaaray.
बाम्हण गांई वंस घात अपराध करारे ।
(It is said that) The killing of brahmin (spiritual knowledge full men or women of any cast & cread) , cow and the man or foetus (abortion of foetus) of one's own family is a deadly sin.
1 ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੪ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੬ ਪੰ. ੧
ਮਦੁ ਪੀ ਜੂਏ ਖੇਲਦੇ ਜੋਹਨਿ ਪਰਨਾਰੇ।
Madu Pee Jooay Khayladay Johani Par Naaray.
मदु पी जूए खेलदे जोहनि पर नारे ।
The drunkards gamble and look at the wives of others.
2 ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੪ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੬ ਪੰ. ੨
ਮੁਹਨਿ ਪਰਾਈ ਲਛਮੀ ਠਗ ਚੋਰ ਚਗਾਰੇ।
Muhani Paraaee Lakhimee Tdag Chor Chagaaray.
मुहनि पराई लखिमी ठग चोर चगारे ।
The thieves and decoits loot other's wealth
3 ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੪ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੬ ਪੰ. ੩
ਵਿਸਾਸ ਧ੍ਰੋਹੀ ਅਕਿਰਤਘਣਿ ਪਾਪੀ ਹਤਿਆਰੇ।
Visaas Dhrohee Akirataghan Paapee Hatiaaray.
विसास ध्रोही अकिरतघण पापी हतिआरे ।
These all are treacherous, ungrateful, sinners and killers.
4 ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੪ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੬ ਪੰ. ੪
ਲਖ ਕਰੋੜੀ ਜੋੜੀਅਨਿ ਅਣਗਣਤ ਅਪਾਰੇ।
Lakh Karorhee Jorheeani Anaganat Apaaray.
लख करोड़ी जोड़ीअनि अणगणत अपारे ।
If such persons are gathered in infinite number;
5 ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੪ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੬ ਪੰ. ੫
ਇਕਤੁ ਲੂਇ ਨ ਪੁਜਨੀ ਬੇਮੁਖ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰੇ ॥੧੬॥
Ikatu Looi N Pujanee Baymoukh Guraduaaray ॥16॥
इकतु लूइ न पुजनी बेमुख गुरदुआरे ॥१६॥
Even they all are not equal to the single hair of the apostate who shows his back to Guru Sahib / his Prophet.
6 ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੩੪ ਪਉੜੀ ੧੬ ਪੰ. ੬
All 40 Singh's by now have realized the grave sin they have committed and all sat depressed out side the Gurdwara Sahib. In this while Mai Bhago, who lived in one of their villages, called Jhabal, a known brave woman arrived there. She heard about this happening and her blood boiled at the timidity of those who, beaten by the ravages of the prolonged siege of Anandpur, disclaimed Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji to return to their homes. Mai Bhago charged them with cowardice and lack of faith. She asked them what they now wanted to do. All 40 Singh's said they wanted to go back and seek pardon from Guru sahib. Then it came to their mind that Anandpur Fort must have been closed from all sides and surrounded. They couldn't think on the way to win back the grace of Guru sahib. At this point Mai Bhago informed them that Guru sahib left they Anandpur Sahib fort challenging the army of enemy to catch him if they could.
She explained that only way to wipe out the sin they have committed was by being a martyr fighting for the Guru Sahib. Mai Bhago planned the march, lead the 40 Singh's along with their Jathedar Bhai Maha Singh. They arrived at at Khidrana in the district of Ferozepur and came to know that Guru Sahib had crossed this area. This area was having a seasonal pond which was dry and were sure that in search of Guru Sahib Mughals & Hill Chief's army would cross this area looking for water. The plan was to engage the enemy so that Guru Sahib would get more time to reach the destination.
All 40 Singh's along with Mai Bhago took their positions, kept clothes over treas to look like tents from a distance. Mughals would take it as Guru Sahib camping their and would attack. As planned the enemy mistook the formation as tents and were surprised with then sudden attack by 40 Singh's and Mai Bhago. It was a fierce battle which Guru sahib witnessed from a hill top at a distance. In between would shoot arrows at enemy to support the Singh's. Mai Bhago fought so well in their ranks that she disposed of several Muslim soldiers. The "Chali Mukte" led by the great female general Mai Bhago had brought such damage onto the Mughal force of thausands strong, they had no option but to retreat.
Sikh Lady - Mai Bhago charging the attack over
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The battle can be found inside the British War History Wonders. At the end of the battle, when Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji arrived and was looking for survivors, Mai Bhago, who was lying wounded, greeted him. She told him how the forty deserters had valiantly laid down their lives fighting in the battlefield. Guru Saheb was greatly touched by her sense of remorse, self-sacrifice, and heroism. Mai Bhago recovered and remained in the Guru's presence after the battle of Sri Muktsar Sahib.
When Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji along with Bhai Daya Singh ji and other Sikhs was collecting the dead bodies for cremation, Guru sahib found a hand and identified it as a Sikh because of kara, then a leg which identified as a Sikh due to kachera, Heads were found and identified with kesh. This way Singh's were identified and then they found their Jathedar Bhai Maha Singh , the only one among 40 Singh's breathing his last but conscienceless. Bhai Maha Singh was still clinging to life, Guru Sahib at once took him in his embrace, and sat down with face of Bhai Maha Singh in his laps, sprinkled water on blood soaked face, cleaned his face face with his dress. Now Bhai Maha Singh realised that he was in laps of Guru Sahib. On this surprise Bhai Maha Singh made an effort to rise, and was in tears on witnessing Guru Sahib's warmth.
The Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji tearing away the disclaimer written by 40 deserters.Forty Sikhs, who had abandoned Anandpur Sahib, returned to the Guru and sacrificed their lives while fighting against a Mughal Army. They became martyrs and the Guru blessed them as muktas,thus liberated them. |
Guru Sahib expressed his happiness to the exemplary bravery of 40 Singhs and asked Bhai Maha Singh ji to seek any boon what so ever he had in mind.........may be a Kingdom or a Long Life. Bhai Mahan Singh tearful and exhausted, requested the great Master to destroy the Bedahwa - the letter disclaiming his being a Sikh of the Guru. The merciful Guru sahib at once took out the letter from his waist band ( kamar kassa) and destroyed it. Guru Sahib said that having changed may dresses, kamar kassas (waist band) but never gave away the letter and would see it often when would remember them. Guru sahib said, like a son may write you to father that you are not mine, but a father shall never write so. The letter of disclaimer was one sided signed only by 40 Singh's and Guru sahib never disclaimed them as Sikhs.
On desire of Bhai Maha Singh to leave for abode - Sachkhand while listening Gurubani, Guru Sahib instructed Bhai Daya Singh Ji to get kirtan started. While listening Gurbani Bhai Maha Singh in Guru sahib's laps breadth his last.
As narrated by mahapurakhs, after having breadth his last Bhai Maha Singh's soul left for abode, he met on his way other souls of 39 martyerd Sikhs. They reported to have faced closed doors at Dargah - Sachkhand. Reason being, the apostates even having been martyred are only welcome to Sachkhand upon acceptance of the Guru. Bhai Maha Singh narrated the happenings and informed them on not only Guru Sahib accepting them back to the fold, but also awarding them with Title of Chali Mukte (40 liberated ones).
Upon Bhai Maha Singh breathing his last Guru Sahib still wanted to bless more to his beloved 40 Muktas and gave many more boons:
- Declared the place shall be known in the world as Mukatsar. Place of 40 martyrs. Also shall have a Gurdwara Sahib in its place. And blessed the 40 Muktas to be the light bearer for all Sikhs wanting to incult Sikhi Sidak.
- The Sikhs who shall visit the place of 40 martyrs with pure love and devotion shall be liberated too.
- Who so ever listens to the katha of 40 - Chali Muktas carefully and with pure devotion shall get liberated too.
- On this day of Shaheedi of 40 martyrs who shall come to Guru Sahib / Gurdwara Sahib with a feeling of committing a wrong / sin by showing his back to Guru Sahib shall also get liberated.
SUMMARY - Battle Of Muktsar | |||||||
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Part of Mughal-Sikh Wars | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Mughals | Khalsa Forces | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Wazir Khan (Mughal Governor of Punjab) | Guru Gobind Singh, Mai Bhago and Mahan Singh Brar | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
5000 | Estimated to be in 100's | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
3000+ | 40 | ||||||
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