Maghi is the Punjabi name of the festival of Makar Sankranti celebrated by people of Punjab. The day marks the entry of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). It also signals the end of winters and the onset of spring with longer daylight which is why was generally celebrated with high esteem by people of Punjab.
Mukatsar Battle
For Sikhs, Maghi is even more significant as it to commemorates the martyrdom of the 40 Muktay in the battle of Mukatsar. After the Chamkaur War, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj after writing the Zafarnama Sahib at Dina was informed that the Sirhind Governer has instructed several thousand Mughal soldiers to capture/eliminate him. To not put the Shamir brothers of Dina in danger, Guru Ji started travelling further south and was at Ramiana village when a group of Sikhs from the Majha arrived. Who are these Sikhs?
When Anandpur Sahib 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 Majha Sikhs made up their mind to go home by signing a disclaimer (bedhava) saying that they were no longer the Sikhs of the Guru. Later in the town of Patti in Majha, at a funeral gathering, some Sikhs narrated all what had happened at Anandpur Sahib on the war and Guru Mahraj losing all their family while their own Majha people has ran and came back here. From this, about 200 Sikhs of Majha decided to go after the Guru and finally met Guru Ji in Ramiana village.
To begin with Bhag Singh (a village counsel) and other Sikhs who had just arrived, presented their condolences and then said, “We, all the people of Majha, can get together and arrange an accord between you and the Mughal emperor so that you can lead the rest of your life peacefully and we remain at your service.” Guru Jee, then, responded, “Who are you to get the reconciliation? Why couldn’t you get a reconciliation during the time of the Fifth and Ninth Guru Ji shaheedi. Have you come now to teach me or to listen to my Hukam ? Aren’t you feeling ashamed ?” After listening to all this reprimand of Guru Jee, Bhag Singh Jhabaliya pleaded, “Ghareeb Niwaz, if you are feeling like that then we cannot adhere to your Sikhi. We will rather go back.” Guru Jee again said, “Bhag Singh ! we had not invited you. If you have come, you can give me in writing that the country of Majha is not retaining Sikhi.” It is to be noted that there were two Bedavas written by Majha Sikhs, one in Anandpur Sahib and one here in Ramiana village (more details at the end of post).
They were still signing the Bedava when a Singh from treetop shouted “Maharaj, Turk army is getting very close now. You must depart from here.” Guru ji then grabbed the Bedava and left towards a more strategic place for war. After Guru Ji left, there were some Sikhs who were hurt with the actions taken by their counsel leaders. One of them was Mai Bhago Ji who charged them with cowardice and lack of faith. She was determined to wipe out this stain of infamy on Majha Singhs therefore with other 40 Singhs exclaimed with the invocation of Sat Sri Akal, mounted their horses and immediately got ready and marched forward. The rest of nearly 150 Majha Sikhs went away to other directions.
The strategic place that Guru Ji chose was the lake of Khidrana, the only water source of the place but at the time it has dried of. The next place to obtain water was 10 miles behind and 30 miles forward. The lake area was also surrounded by trees and a hilltop nearby which Guru Ji went on to so that they can shoot arrows from a higher position. The strategy of the 40 Muktay was to engage the enemy in between at the lake area and took an oath that they would rather give their life before allowing any of the army reach Mahraj on the hill. Another strategy they had was to spread their Kecharay and blankets on the trees near the lake to show that Sikhs had their cantonment stationed there. They also started reciting Gurbani loudly and fire some gunshots at enemy direction to show their presence.
When the Mughal forces advanced further, they could not inflict much loss among Sikhs as they were under trees. When the supply of gunshots and the arrows dwindled, the Singhs shot out shouting ovations of Sat Siri Akal, Sikhs dashed into the enemy ranks and started hand to hand fight with such astonishing sword wielding while Guru Ji shot arrows from the hilltop. From both the sides the steel struck steel savagely. With the Sikhs’ fighting so briskly, the Mughal soldiers were seriously injured and cried for water. Because of this, Suba Sirhind ordered his troops to retreat.
After the battle was over, Guru Mahraj came down from the hillock. Satguru said, “My Sikh is equivalent to a lakh and a quarter (125,000)” looking at the 40 Muktay. Three of them was still breathing including Mahan Singh still clinging to life. Guru Ji at once took him in his embrace, and sat down with him. Mahan Singh tearful and exhausted, requested the great Master to destroy the Bedawa the letter disclaiming them being Sikh of the Guru. Before Mahan Singh left, the ever merciful Guru took the document and tore it up. Showing infinite mercy towards his followers he named the 40 deserters who had fought until there last breath, for their beloved Guru, the Chali Mukte (40 liberated ones). Mai Bhago, who was lying wounded, greeted Maharaj. Guru Sahib 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 Muktsar.
The martyred Sikhs were given the last rites and their bodies were placed on the heaps of the splinters of wood. Guru Jee himself recited the Paath of Sohila (the eve-prayer) and Guru Ji, himself, ignited the wood. Guru Jee, then, addressed, “Bhai Sikho, these forty have laid down their lives for the sake of righteousness. They have been assigned a place in the Sachkand.
Some takeback points:
- Guru Mahraj loved these 40 Muktay so much that they did all their last rites themselves which they didn’t even get to do for their own Sahibzaday. It shows the amount of love of Mahraj has for the Khalsa.
- Just like how the village counsels tried to teach Guru Maharaj, we too sometimes instead of obeying Hukam try to change Sikhi principles to suit our own preference.
- We need to reflect on how many Bedavay we write to our Guru when we oppose their teachings in our lives.
- We are extremely grateful for having such a merciful Guru who continues forgiving us despite of our mistakes. We should not take that for granted.
Note:
Regarding the two Bedavay, the first bedava was written in Anandpur Sahib by a lot of the Singhs from various regions (not just Majha) at Anandpur Sahib when Kalgidhar Patshah Ji didn’t want to leave Anandpur Sahib. Second bedava as mentioned in this blogpost was written by the village counsel leaders led by Bhag Singh Jhabaliya at Ramiana village just before the Mukatsar battle. One of the reason the Majha Sanggat was seeking forgiveness for was for the mistake of Dunni Chand, a Majha Sikh for running away from facing the drunken elephant attack that Guru Ji wanted him to face. The elephant was later faced by Bhai Bachittar Singh Ji. When they requested Mahraj to tear the bedava it was for the mistake of their region (Majha) people. The 40 Mukte basically joined back the Majha Sikhs to the Guru. For reference on the two bedavay, one can refer to Suraj Parkash Granth at Ras 6 Adhyai 30 and Ayan 1 Adhyai 9.
References
Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, Ayan 1, Adhaiyi 9, 10, 11
Safarnama and Zafarnama by Giani Ishar Singh Nara
Guru Ki Sakhiyan by Bhai Swarup Das Koshish
Shaheedi 40 Mukte Saka Mukatsar Katha by Bhai Pinderpal Singh (https://youtu.be/eMj9bKNBC-A)
Related Reading:
1. Interesting Facts of Mai Bhago Ji
2. Historical Gurdwaras of Mukatsar Sahib