Mai Bhago

Last updated

Mai Bhago
Modern painting of Mai Bhago imitating traditional Indic art style.webp
Equestrian painting of Mai Bhago
Born1670
Jhabal, Punjab
Died1720
Nanded, Maharastra
SpouseBhai Nidhan Singh of Patti
FatherBhai Malo Shah
Religion Sikhism

Mai Bhago also known as Mata Bhag Kaur, was a Sikh woman who led Sikh soldiers against the Mughals in 1705. She was an exceptionally skilled warrior on the battlefield and is revered as a warrior saint in Sikhism. She was known for rallying the 40 Sikhs (Chali Mukte) who abandoned Guru Gobind Singh at the siege of Anandpur Sahib and bringing them back to fight.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Gurdwara Mai Bhago Gurdwara Mata Bhag Kaur.jpg
Gurdwara Mai Bhago

Mai Bhago was born into Dhillon Jat Family, [1] [2] her family's ancestral village of Chabal Kalan, in a sikh family at Jhabal Kalan, in the present-day Tarn Taran district of the Punjab . [3] Mai Bhago was a staunch Sikh by birth and had her upbringing in a devout Sikh family. Mai Bhago's father, Malo Shah, was enrolled in Guru Hargobind's army [4] and like her father Mai Bhago learned Shaster vidya (training in arms). Mai Bhago was the granddaughter of Bhai Pero Shah who was younger brother of the famous Bhai Langah the chief of 84 villages who had converted to Sikhism during the time of Guru Arjan Dev (1563–1606), the fifth Sikh Guru. [5] [6] She had two brothers Dilbagh Singh and Bhag Singh. [7] When she was young her parents took her to Anandpur Sahib to do darshan (glimpse) of Guru Gobind Singh. She married Bhai Nidhan Singh of Patti. [8]

Mughal confrontation

In attempt to capture the Guru the large Mughal army led by Wazir Khan (of Sirhind) under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb proceeded to Anandpur Sahib alongside the Mughal Armies of Lahore and Kashmir. [9]

Disbandment of the Chali Mukte (40 "liberated" Sikhs)

On around 1704 [10] the Mughal hill chiefs had surrounded Anandpur Sahib and were demanding it be evacuated stopping provisions for food and the siege lasting a few months. [11] They announced that any Sikh who would say that "he/she is not anymore a Sikh of Guru Gobind" would be left untouched while others would be "done to death". A group of 40 Sikhs (Chali Mukte), [12] led by Mahan Singh Rataul, told Guru Gobind Singh that they were not his Sikhs anymore. The Guru told them that they would have to write a document that said "We are not your Sikhs anymore" and sign it. All forty Sikhs (except one: 'Bedava') wrote their names on this document, and left Guru Gobind Singh.

Mai Bhago's retaliation

Mai Bhago was distressed to hear that some of the Sikhs of her neighbourhood, who had gone to Anandpur to fight for Guru Gobind Singh, had deserted him under adverse conditions. She criticised them openly; hearing her taunts, these Sikhs were ashamed of their betrayal. [13] Mai Bhago rallied the deserters, and persuaded them to meet with the Guru and apologize to him. She set off with them (and some other Sikhs) to seek out the Guru, who were traveling across the Malwa.

Unfolding events at Anandpur Sahib

The Guru leaving Anandpur fort

A messenger arrived with an oath signed by Aurangzeb on a copy of the Quran, assuring the Guru that if he came out of the fort, permanent peace would be negotiated on honourable terms. The oath of the Emperor was further supported by an oath signed by all the Generals of the Mughal army and the Hill Chiefs. [14] Guru Gobind Singh did not trust these assurances, [15] but to show the real face of the Mughals, the Guru nevertheless decided to leave the fort.

Separation of the Guru's family

Meanwhile, Guru Gobind Singh evacuated the fort of Anandpur. His children had already been separated in the retreat by the betraying Mughal army and the Hill Chiefs. The two youngest ones, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, had gone along with their grandmother Mata Gujari Kaur (mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) while the elder two, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jhujhar Singh, had gone with their father. At the battle of Chamkaur, the Guru's elder sons were killed and attained martyrdom. The Guru left Chamkaur on the order of the Panj Pyare. [16] Guru Gobind Singh's forces travelled day and night through the jungles of the Malva region with the imperial Mughal forces of Aurangzeb in constant pursuit. [17]

Battle of Muktsar at Khidrana

Detail from a painting showing Mai Bhago in the Battle of Muktsar, Sikh school, Punjab Plains, late 19th century Detail from a painting showing Mai Bhago in the Battle of Muktsar, Sikh school, Punjab Plains, late 19th century.jpg
Detail from a painting showing Mai Bhago in the Battle of Muktsar, Sikh school, Punjab Plains, late 19th century

The Guru had reached the village of Khidrana, when Mai Bhago and the men reached khidrana. She led stopped near the dhab, or pool, of Khidrana, the only source of water in the area [18] which was overtaken by the Mughal imperial army pursuing the Guru.

Mai Bhago and her men attacked the pursuing Mughals' army of 10,000 soldiers. Mai Bhago & the 40 liberated ones eventually forced the imperial Mughal army to retreat. while the Guru's forces showered arrows onto the Mughals from nearby high ground. When Guru Gobind Singh visited the battlefield, he found all dead except Mai Bhago and the previous leader of the deserters, Mahan Singh. Mahan Singh, who had been seriously wounded, died as the Guru took him into his lap. [19] All forty of the Sikhs who came to redeem themselves died as well as Mai Bhago's brothers and husband [20] and attained martyrdom in this pitched battle. Some sources say Mai Bhago's children were martyred there too. [21]

Guru Gobind Singh blessed those forty dead as the Chali Mukte, Forty Liberated Ones. He took into his care Mai Bhago, who had suffered serious injury [22] in the battle.

Mai Bhago Kaur residing with the Guru

Mai Bhago stayed with Guru Gobind Singh at Talwandi Sabo. [23] She may have adopted the garb of a Nihang. [24] When the Guru went to Hazur Sahib she became one of ten other bodyguards of the Guru arming herself with a large lance (weighing about 102 pounds) [25] and musket [26] and did so in male attire. [27]

Mai Bhag Kaur at Janwada

After the death of Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Nanded in 1708, Mai Bhag Kaur retired further south. She settled down at Janwada, 11 km from Bidar in Karnataka, setting up her dera where she immersed in meditation and taught Gurmat (The Guru's way) living a long life. [28] Her hut in Janwada has now been converted into a place of worship and learning, Gurdwara Tap Asthan Mai Bhago. At Nanded, too, a hall within the compound of Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib marking the site of her former residence is known as Bunga Mai Bhago.

Legacy

20th century painting of Mai Bhago Mai Bhago -SikhHeritageMuseum.jpg
20th century painting of Mai Bhago

Mohan Singh, Jathedar of Hazur Sahib, in 1788 built a Bunga (fortified tower) in the memory of Mai Bhag Kaur. [29] The weapons of Mai Bhago are kept in the Hazur Sahib Gurudwara complex at Abchalnagar Nanded, India.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Gobind Singh</span> Tenth Sikh guru from 1675 to 1708

Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last human Sikh Guru. He was a warrior, poet, and philosopher. In 1675, at the age of nine he was formally installed as the leader of the Sikhs after his father Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Emperor Aurangzeb. His father was the ninth Sikh Guru. His four biological sons died during his lifetime – two in battle and two executed by the Mughal governor Wazir Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anandpur Sahib</span> City in Punjab, India

Anandpur Sahib, also referred simply as Anandpur, is a city in Rupnagar district (Ropar), on the edge of Shivalik Hills, in the Indian state of Punjab. Located near the Sutlej River, the city is one of the most sacred religious places in Sikhism, being the place where the last two Sikh Gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, lived. It is also the place where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699. The city is home to Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, the third of the five Takhts in Sikhism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Takht Sri Damdama Sahib</span> Sikh religious site in Amritsar, Punjab, India

The Takht Sri Darbar Sahib Damdama Sahib, is one of the five takhts or Seat of Temporal Authority of Sikhism, located in Talwandi Sabo, near the city of Bathinda in Bathinda district of Punjab, India. At this place Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, prepared the full version of the Sikh scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 1705. The other four Takhts are the Akal Takht, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Sri Patna Sahib and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarbloh Granth</span> Tertiary scripture of Sikhism

The Sarbloh Granth or Sarabloh Granth, also called Manglacharan Puran or Sri Manglacharan Ji, is a voluminous scripture, composed of more than 6,500 poetic stanzas. It is traditionally attributed as being the work of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. Scholars, on the other hand, attribute the work to after the Guru's death, being authored by an unknown poet. The work is mostly revered by the Nihang sect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhai Mani Singh</span> 18th-century Sikh religious leader and martyr

Bhai Mani Singh was an 18th-century Sikh scholar and martyr. He was a childhood companion of Guru Gobind Singh and took the vows of Sikhism when the Guru inaugurated the Khalsa in March 1699. Soon after that, the Guru sent him to Amritsar to take charge of Harmandir Sahib, which had been without a custodian since 1696. He took control and steered the course of Sikh destiny at a critical stage in Sikh history. He was also a teacher of the Gianian Bunga, later becoming known as the "Amritsari Taksal", currently located in Sato Ki Gali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fateh Singh (Sikhism)</span> Fourth son of Guru Gobind Singh

Fateh Singh, commonly referred to with honorifics as Baba Fateh Singh or Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh, was the fourth and youngest son of Guru Gobind Singh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ajit Singh (Sikhism)</span> Son of Guru Gobind Singh

Ajit Singh, also referred to with honorifics as Sahibzada Ajit Singh or Baba Ajit Singh, was the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh and the son of Mata Sundari. His younger brothers were Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, but they had been born to Mata Jito. He was killed in the Second Battle of Chamkaur along with his brother Jujhar Singh. His other two brothers, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, nine and seven years old, respectively, were bricked alive at Fatehgarh Sahib on order of Wazir Khan, governor of Sirhind-Fategarh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saka Sirhind</span> Martyrdom of Sikh Sahibzade

The Saka Sirhindor the Chhotte Sahibzada Saka refers to the killing and martyrdom (Shaheedi) of the two sons of Guru Gobind Singh, named Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. The two Sikh children are remembered as the Chhotte Sahibzade. They are believed to have attained martyrdom on 26 December 1704 at the ages of 5(or 6) and 9 respectively. In remembrance of this occasion, the Shaheedi Jor Mela is organised annually at Fatehgarh Sahib Punjab, India, to commemorate the supreme sacrifice at the place of their martyrdom on the 24th to 26 December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Muktsar</span> 1705 conflict in the Mughal-Sikh Wars

The Battle of Sri Muktsar Sahib(Muktsar) or Battle of Khidrāne Dee Dhāb took place on 29 December 1705, (29 Poh) following the siege of Anandpur Sahib. In 1704, Anandpur Sahib was under an extended siege by the allied forces of the Mughals and the Hill States of Shivalik.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meat consumption among Sikhs</span>

Eating meat among Nihang Sikhs employs technique of Jhatka is practiced by sects within Sikhism when consuming meat that is either hunted or farmed. This historical method of meat consumption is popular among Nihangs and Hazuri Sikhs who eat goats on the festivals throughout the year and distribute it as Mahaprashad among the rest of the Sikhs as part of Langar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazur Sahib</span> One of the 5 Takhts in Sikhism

Hazur Sahib, also known as Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, is one of the five takhts in Sikhism. The gurdwara was built between 1832 and 1837 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839). It is located on the banks of the Godavari River at the city of Nanded in the state of Maharashtra, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chabhal Kalan</span> Town in Punjab, India

Chabhal Kalan is a town in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab, India and is located 13 miles (21 km) away from Amritsar city.

Sikhism was founded in Punjab in 1469 by Guru Nanak on the foundations that everyone is equal, regardless of caste, age, or gender. Both men and women are supposed to follow the Five Ks: Kesh, Kangha (comb), Kara, Kachera and Kirpan, and there was never a distinction between what a woman should be allowed to do versus a man at theological level. Men and women are treated equally in the temple (gurdwara), and everyone eats and prays side-by-side. Both men and women are meant to carry the Kirpan with them as they are responsible for their own physical protection, and should not depend on others. Sikhs are strictly against the caste system and many chose to use Kaur or Singh as a last name to push against the problematic caste system in India. There is only one god (Waheguru) in Sikhism and they are without form or gender, and everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Many Sikh women believe that this absence of assignment of code of conduct for a woman versus a man proves that their religion is historically committed to gender equality. Presently, the culture does not always follow these traditions and equality is often more true in ideals rather than daily practice. According to Kiman Kaur: "It is essential to take into account the diverse Kaur narratives in order to critically understand the violence Sikh women experience due to religious, ethnic, and gender minoritization through enabling more intersectional conversations."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dastar bunga</span>

Dastar bunga, or "towering fortress", is a style of turban used by a specific sect within the Sikhs, the Akali Nihangs. As an essential part of their faith the warriors used the turban as a store for their expansive range of weapons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binod Singh</span>

Binod Singh, a Trehan Khatri and a descendant of Guru Angad, was an army man and disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and was among few Sikhs who accompanied him to Nanded in 1706. In Budha Dal Chronicles, Guru Gobind Singh made Baba Binod Singh the head of the Khalsa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baba Darbara Singh</span>

Baba Darbara Singh, also known as Diwan Darbara Singh, was second Jathedar of Budha Dal and third leader of the Akal Takht. He should not be confused with other Darbara Singh of Sirhind who fought in the Battle of Anandpur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Sarsa</span> 18th-century battle in North India

The Battle of Sarsa was fought in 21 December 1704 between the Khalsa and the Mughal Empire.

References

  1. ↑ Thornton, S. A. (2008). "BHAGO, MAI". In Smith, Bonnie G. (ed.). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. p. 226. ISBN   978-0-19-514890-9. BHAGO, MAI (fl. 1699–1708), ... Hers was a family of the Dhillon clan of the jat ...
  2. ↑ Gayer, Laurent (2012). "Des « Princesses » chez les « Lions ». Parcours de vie de recrues féminines dans la Guérilla Sikhe (1984-1995)". In Jaffrelot, Christophe; Mohammad-Arif, Aminah (eds.). Politique et religions en Asie du Sud: le sécularisme dans tous ses états? (in French). Éditions de l’École des hautes études en sciences sociales. p. 287. doi:10.4000/books.editionsehess.22356. ISBN   978-2-7132-2323-5. Mai Bhago, une Jat du clan Dhillon, s'illustra au début du XVIIIe siècle en combattant les armées mogholes pour le compte de Gourou Gobind Singh.[Mai Bhago, a Jat of the Dhillon clan, distinguished herself at the beginning of the 18th century by fighting the Mughal armies on behalf of Guru Gobind Singh.]
  3. ↑ "Search Gurbani : Gurbani Research Website". www.searchgurbani.com. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Smith, Bonnie (2008). The Oxford encyclopedia of Women in World History, Volume 4. Oxford University Press. p.  226. ISBN   9780195148909.
  5. ↑ Dalbir Singh Dhillon (1988). Sikhism Origin and Development. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 152. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  6. ↑ Sagoo, Harbans (2001). Banda Singh Bahadur and Sikh Sovereignty. Deep & Deep Publications. ISBN   9788176293006.
  7. ↑ Nihang, Nidar; Singh, Parmjit (2008). In the Master's Presence: the Sikh's of Hazoor Sahib. London: Kashi House. p. 54. ISBN   9780956016829.
  8. ↑ Arneja, Simran (2009). Ik Onkar One God. Simran Kaur Arneja. p. 102. ISBN   9788184650938.
  9. ↑ Shaw, Jeffrey; Demy, Timothy (2017). War and Religion: an Encyclopedia of Faith and Conflict. ABC-CLIO. p. 576. ISBN   9781610695176.
  10. ↑ Fenech, Louis (2013). The Sikh Zafar-namah of Guru Gobind Singh: A Discursive Blade in the Heart of The Mughal Empire. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 18. ISBN   9780199931453.
  11. ↑ Singh, Teja; Jaggi, Rattan (1988). Essays in Sikhism. Languages Department Punjab. p. 57.
  12. ↑ Singh, Harbans (2005). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (Second ed.). New Delhi: Hemkunt Press. p. 42. ISBN   9788170103011.
  13. ↑ Kohli, M. S. (2003). Miracles of Ardaas: Incredible Adventures and Survivals. Indus Publishing. p. 168. ISBN   9788173871528.
  14. ↑ Singh, Harjinder. Brave Shaheeds of Chamkaur Sahib. Akaal Publishers. p. 1.
  15. ↑ Anand, T K (2005). Essence of Sikhism – 7. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. p. 37. ISBN   9788125919483.
  16. ↑ Singh, Pushpendra (2015). The Hawk Hunters. Mumbai: Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd. ISBN   9789352013395.
  17. ↑ Randhir, G. S. (2016). Sikh Shrines in India. New Delhi: Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN   9788123022604.
  18. ↑ Grover, Parminder Singh; Singh, Davinderjit. Discover Punjab: Attractions of Punjab. Ludhiana: Golden Point.
  19. ↑ Kohli, M. S. (2003). Miracles of Ardaas: Incredible Adventures and Survivals. Indus Publishing. p. 169. ISBN   9788173871528.
  20. ↑ Nihang, Nidar; Singh, Parmjit (2008). In the Master's Presence: the Sikh's of Hazoor Sahib. London: Kashi House. p. 54. ISBN   9780956016829.
  21. ↑ Singh, Bikram (1950). Prasang Mai Bhago (First ed.). Jodhpur: Hall Malazhem. p. 47.
  22. ↑ Fenech, Louis E.; McLeod, W. H. (2014). Historical Dictionary of Sikhism (Third ed.). Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 65. ISBN   9781442236011.
  23. ↑ Journal of Sikh Studies, Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University. 28 (1): 75. 2004.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ↑ Nihang, Nidar; Singh, Parmjit (2008). In the Master's Presence: the Sikh's of Hazoor Sahib. London: Kashi House. p. 54. ISBN   9780956016829.
  25. ↑ "The Calcutta Review". University of Calcutta. 72–73: 75. 1881.
  26. ↑ Journal of Sikh Studies, Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University. 28 (1): 75. 2004.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ↑ Kennick, Victoria; Sharma, Arvind (2012). Spiritual Masters of the World's Religions. SUNY Press. p. 150. ISBN   9781438444994.
  28. ↑ Pall, S.J.S. (August 1999). Masters & the Word Divine (Questions and Answers) (First ed.). Amritsar: B. Chattar Singh Jiwan Singh. p. 219. ISBN   9788176013123.
  29. ↑ Nihang, Nidar; Singh, Parmjit (2008). In the Master's Presence: the Sikh's of Hazoor Sahib. London: Kashi House. p. 54. ISBN   9780956016829.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.