Saturday, June 25, 2022
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Manhattan in 1851 and today
Manhattan is the most densely populated of New York City’s 5 boroughs. It's mostly made up of Manhattan Island, bounded by the Hudson, East and Harlem rivers. Among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers, it’s the heart of “the Big Apple.” Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the EmpireState Building, neon-lit Times Square and the theaters of Broadway.
Manhattan in 1851 and today 2022
Manhattan in 1873.
Brookline Bridge under construction in 1870 in till 1883
Manhattan in 1900
When USA bought Alaska
The US $7.2 million check used to pay for Alaska, 1868, (roughly $135 million in 2022).
In 1866 the Russian government offered to sell the territory of Alaska to the United States. Secretary of State William H. Seward, enthusiastic about the prospects of American Expansion, negotiated the deal for the Americans. Edouard de Stoeckl, Russian minister to the United States, negotiated for the Russians. On March 30, 1867, the two parties agreed that the United States would pay Russia $7.2 million for the territory of Alaska. The check for $7.2 million was made payable to the Russian Minister to the United States Edouard de Stoeckl, who negotiated the deal for the Russians.
Gobind Accepted for Double Major
Gobind has been accepted by University of California at Davis as double major in Mathematics and Computer Science. Congrats Gobind and all at Sherwood.
A year old Gobind on his first Birthday.
Brother and sister celebrating by cooking a dinner for themselves.
A year old Gobind on his first Birthday.
Brother and sister celebrating by cooking a dinner for themselves.
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Tokyo Trials
*Does anyone in India know this piece of history?* *Answer must be a firm "No" from most of us! Now please read on.*
Remembered in Japan, forgotten in India........
The day was 12 November, 1948. Tokyo Trials are going on in a huge garden house on the outskirts of Tokyo, the trial of fifty-five Japanese war criminals including Japan's then Prime Minister Tojo, after losing WWII.
Of these, twenty-eight people have been identified as Class-A (crimes against peace) war criminals. If proved, the only punishment is the "death penalty".
Eleven international judges from all over the world are announcing......"Guilty".... "Guilty"...... "Guilty"......... Suddenly one thundered, "Not Guilty!"
A silence came down in the hallway. Who was this lone dissenter?
His name was Radha Binod Pal a Judge from India.
Dr Radhabinod Pal
Born in 1886 in the Kumbh of East Bengal, his mother made a living by taking care of a household and their cow. For feeding the cow, Radha used to take the cow to the land near a local primary school.
When the teacher taught in school, Radha used to listen from outside. One day the school inspector came to visit the school from the city. He asked some questions of the students after entering the class. Everyone was silent. Radha said from outside the classroom window.... "I know the answer to all your questions." And he answered all the questions one by one. Inspector said... "Wonderful!.. Which class do you read?"
The answer came, "... I do not read...I graze a cow."
Everyone was shocked to hear that. Calling the head teacher, the school inspector instructed the boy to take admission in school as well as provide some stipend.
This is how education of Radha Binod Pal started. Then after passing the school final with the highest number in the district, he was admitted to Presidency College. After taking M Sc. from the University of Calcutta, he studied law again and got the Doctorate title. In the context of choosing the opposite of two things he once said, "law and mathematics are not so different after all.”
Coming back again to the International Court of Tokyo.
In his convincing argument to the rest of the jurists he signified that the Allies, (winners of WWII), also violated the principles of restraint and neutrality of international law. In addition to ignoring Japan's surrender hints, they killed two hundred thousand innocent people using nuclear bombardment.
The judges were forced to drop many of the accused from Class-A to B, after seeing the logic written on twelve hundred thirty-two pages by Radha Binod Pal. These Class-B war criminals were saved by him from a sure death penalty. His verdict in the international court gave him and India a world-famous reputation.
Japan respects this great man. In 1966 Emperor Hirohito awarded him the highest civilian honor of the country, 'Kokko Kunsao'. Two busy roads in Tokyo and Kyotto have been named after him. The law has been included in the syllabus of his sentence. In front of the Supreme Court of Tokyo, his statue has been placed. In 2007, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his desire to meet his family members in Delhi and met his son.
Dr. Radha Binod Pal (27 January 1886 - 10 January 1967) name is remembered in the history of Japan. In Tokyo, Japan, he has a museum and a statue in Yasukuni shrine.
Japan University has a research center in his name. Because of his judgment on Japanese war criminals, Chinese people hate him.
He is the author of many books related to law. In India, almost nobody knows him and perhaps not even his neighbors know him! A hindi movie was made on him, Tokyo Trials, starring Irfan Khan but that movie never made headlines.
Pal was the father of nine daughters (Shanti Rani, Asha Rani, Leela Rani, Bela Rani, Nilima, Roma Rani, Renu Kana, Lakshmi Rani and Smriti Kana) and five sons (Prasanta Kumar, Pradyot Kumar, Pronab Kumar, Pratip Bijoy and Pratul Kumar). One son, Pronab Kumar Pal, also became a lawyer (a barrister), as did his two sons-in-law, Balai Lal Pal (with whom he co-authored a book and Debi Prasad Pal (who also served as a judge of the Calcutta High Court and Indian Minister of State for Finance)
He was awarded with a Padma Vibhushan.
....just one of the many many underrated & unknown Indians.
I sincerely request you to read it atleast and if you felt it's worth so, you can share it also.
First Darbar of SGGS in Australia
#BacktoHistory
First Darbar of the Guru Granth Sahib in Australia captured on camera!
-16th Dec 1920
This stunning image taken in Benalla, Victoria on 16 December 1920 is potentially the first Darbar (Royal Court) of the Guru Granth Sahib in Australia captured on camera.
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Bertrand Russel - a Nobel Laureate on Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Did you know Bertrand Russel was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950 and said this on Guru Granth Sahib Ji & Sikhism
“If some lucky men survive the onslaught of the third world war of atomic and hydrogen bombs, the SIKH religion will be the ONLY means of guiding them.
It has the capability, but Sikhs have not brought-out, in broad day light, the splendid doctrines of their religion, which has come into existence for the benefit of entire mankind.”
Russell was asked that he was talking about the third world war, but isn't this religion capable of guiding mankind before the third world war?
In reply, Russell said, “Yes, it has this capability, but the Sikhs have not brought out in the broad daylight, the splendid doctrines of this religion which has come into existence for the benefit of the entire mankind. This is their greatest sin and the Sikhs cannot be freed of it."
What Bertrand was most impressed with was that Sikhism does not have a doctrine of evangelism, that it does not go out to try to subvert and convert. In some ways he thought that Sikhs should go out and propagate their great faith
Friday, June 17, 2022
Richness as per Guru Nanak!
*What is Richness*?
True answer given by GURU NANAK DEV JI.
Richness is not 'Earning more', 'Spending more', & 'Saving more'
Richness is when you need 'NO MORE'.. and U SHARE more.
Feel happy by sharing.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bareily Ka Jhumka
Newly weds Sep 9, 1972
Here is my story in response to my friend Mr SK Gupta’s WhatsApp message to me::
I travelled by booking a railway coupe on Sep 17, 1972 from Delhi to Kathgodam for onward journey to Nainital on my honeymoon.
We were supposed to change the train in the mid of night around 2.00 am from Bareilly rail station.
As we reached new coupe on a different platform, and settled down spreading a sheet, my wife found that one of the ear ring was missing. We tried our best to locate the lost ear ring but could not.
We sang the song ‘Jhumka Gira re Bareily ke Bazar me’ and tried to wave off the pressure of this huge loss. For those days it was bought for a princely amount.
I promised that I will get the same from a known family Jewelers who had actually made. And further promised that no body else will ever know about the loss particularly my mother.
As promised we got that ear ring made again to our delight no body could ever know the loss till I write this.
So Barelly ka Jhumka remained in our minds, but the honeymoon carried on as if nothing had happened.
Promising to drive me through thick and thin, which she really has!
I hope you will enjoy this true story too in response to my friend Mr S K Gupta who sent me the following:
‘मेरा साया’* यह फिल्म १९६६ में आई थी . *'झुमका गिरा रे बरेली के बाजार में...!’* इस फिल्म का एक लोकप्रिय गीत है . इस गीत में *बरेली के बाजार में नायिका का झुमका खो गया हुआ है . मगर अब ५४ वर्ष बाद वो मिल गया है .* उस झुमके को देखने आप को बरेली जाना होगा .
*बरेली यह उत्तर प्रदेश का एक शहर है.* ५४ वर्ष पूर्व केवल इस गीत की वजह से संपूर्ण भारत में प्रसिद्ध हो गया था.
अब *बरेली विकास प्राधिकरण ने शहर के एन एच २४ पर झीरो पॉइंट पर एक झुमका लगवाया है . झुमके की ऊंचाई १४ फूट है व वजन है २०० किलोग्रॅम. पितल तथा तांबे से यह झुमका बनाया गया है , गुडगाव के एक कारागिर ने. इसकी किंमत है १८ लाख रुपये.*
इस जगह का नाम है *“झुमका तिराहा.”* ५४ वर्ष बाद, सन २०२० में झुमके का यह स्मारक तैयार हुआ और अब एक पर्यटक आकर्षण का स्थान बन गया है .
इस गाने के गीतकार थे *राजा मेहंदी अली खान.* गायिका *आशा*, संगीतकार – *मदन मोहन.* परदे पर गीत सादर किया था बहारदार नृत्य के संग *दिवंगत साधना जी ने.*
‘मेरा साया’ (१९६६) यह सिनेमा मराठी फिल्म ‘पाठलाग’ (१९६४) का रीमेक था . मूल सिनेमा की कथा से बरेली शहर का कोई भी संबंध नही है .
*मगर फिर भी बरेली गाव में झुमका गिरा यह कहानी एकदम सच्ची है .* और इस कहानी का संबंध सीधा *अभिताभ बच्चन परिवार से जुड़ता है.*
अभिताभ के पिताश्री हरिवंशराय बच्चन और मातोश्री तेजी ( उस समय-तेजी सूरी) इन की पहली भेंट बरेली में किसी रिश्तेदार की शादी में हुई थी . उस शादी के दौरान एक कार्यक्रम में हरिवंशराय जी को कोई एक कविता सुनाने का आग्रह किया गया . उन्होंने कविता का पठन अतिशय सुंदर रीति से किया . कविता सुन कर तेजी की आंखे भर आई, अश्रु बहने लगे . हरिवंशराय की आंखे भी तेजी की अवस्था देख भर आई . इस प्रथम *कविताभेट * का रूपांतर फिर एक *प्रेमकथा* में हो गया.
मगर काफी समय तक दोनो की शादी की कोई खबर नहीं आई तो दोस्त लोग पूछने लग गए . गीतकार राजा मेहंदी दोनो के अच्छे मित्र थे . उन्होंने भी एक बार तेजी को इस के बारे में पूछा . तब तेजी ने उनका ध्यान भटकाने के इरादे से बोला “मेरा झुमका तो बरेली के बाजार में गिर गया है..!”
तेजी ने किया यह विधान राजा मेहंदी के दिमाग में फिट हो गया .
फिर जब " मेरा साया" फिल्म के गीत लिखने का समय आया तो राजा मेंहदी को तेजी के उस वाक्य की याद आई. इस ही वाक्य पर उन्होंने संपूर्ण गीत लिख डाला . और इस गीत ने बरेली शहर की प्रसिद्धी दिला दी . इस लोकप्रिय गाने की याद में बरेली में ५४ वर्ष (२०२०) बाद जो झुमका गिरा था वह फिर से स्थापित हो गया .
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Mastuana Sahib and how it evolved.
Mastuana Sahib
A pic of my Dad from left S Vasdev Singh, grandmother Mata Karam Devi, Baby Shivpreet in the lap of Sardarni Harvinder Kaur, my Aunt Mata Nanaki Bai, and her son S Partap Singh- a foto taken by me in May 1976 when on a visit Mastuana Sahib for personally carrying crop donations.
Mastuana Sahib is situated 5 Km east of my village Badbar. It is customary to donate first crop every year at this scared place.
How Banaras Hindu University Foundation was laid
Baba Atar Singh ji of Mastuana
Baba Atar Singh (1866-1927), of Mastûâṇâ, the most charismatic figure in latter-day Sikh piety, was born on 13 March 1866 in the village of Chîmâ, in Saṅgrûr district of the Punjab
‘Badrukhan’ a village 5 miles from Badbar
The residents of five small villages, Vada Agwarh, Vichla Agwarh, Dalamwal, Dhaliwas and Thagan wali Patti, under the leadership of Pandit Badru, approached Great Jat ruler Maharaja Gajpat Singh, the Maharaja of Jind, for security from dacoits. Maharaja Gajpat Singh amalgamated these villages and named it Badrukhan. In 1763, when Gajpat Singh captured the town of Jind, Badrukhan was made the capital of Jind State. He also built a fort here.[1]
Badrukhan is believed to be the birthplace of mother of Maharaja Ranjit Singh(Raj kaur )and Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha.
Here is a story about Raj Kaur…
This story is of "Badrukhan" village. A "daughter" is born long ago in this village house. Due to the old thoughts, everyone except the mother and the uncle who studied the city were against the birth of the girl. Even the girl's father wasn't adopting her. One day his uncle came a little late. Taking advantage of this, the girl's grandparents snatched her from her mother's lap and went to kill her. In those times, girls were killed by pressing in pitchers. Grandmother put that little soul in a pitcher and held a piece of jaggery in her hand and said, "Eat the jaggery, cut it, you did not come yourself, hurt my brother", then she closed the pitcher and in the courtyard of fear of defamation Just buried it. Inna's uncle reached the girl's house. He guessed her crying sister-in-law and asked where the girl was. The girl's father pointed out that she is buried there, go and save her if you can. The girl's uncle started digging the soil and took out the pitcher. He saw the girl sucking her thumb and her breath was breathing. He picked up the girl and hugged her and took all the responsibility. The name of that girl was named Raj Kaur and she was raised and married. After marriage, a boy was born from the womb of that girl and his name was named Ranjit. The same Ranjit was known as Maharaja Ranjit Singh. If Raj Kaur was not there then Maharaja Ranjit Singh would not have been there and if Ranjit Singh was not there then Punjab would not have been independent and we would not have been free today. At the end I will say only one thing "daughter in womb,, water in pitcher,, , if you don't take care of it then it's over ....
Courtesy Davinder Antal ✍🏻
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Shilpy and Geet travel to India
Shilpy and Geet are going to India to get a taste of hot weather. They intend to break!that hot period for a few days by taking a trip to Shimla.
Saturday, June 11, 2022
How I developed Cricket Craze!
I was about 10 years old when my father took me to Jalandhar where my Chacha Ji ( Sdr Inderjit Singh) was working in the Financial Commissioner’s office of Punjab. We went there to celebrate ‘Namkaran’ ceremony of my cousin Jagmohan Singh.
Sdr Inderjit Singh Chacha ji in his youth
My Chacha Ji gifted me a brand new cricket kit containing a midsize bat, matching wickets and a ball from one of the many famous sports shops for which the city was world famous. This was how I was introduced to this beautiful game of Cricket.
I was so much crazy to play cricket, that me and my friends will play with our Moms ‘Washing Sotta’ and a small inexpensive wooden ball. We went on playing for fun first during SD High School Panipat and then at Arya College Panipat
Preet Mohan Singh warming up near his hostel room.The cricket kit worked for me and my neighbor hood kids like Mehnga, Inder, Sampuran, Nathu, Meshi, Chann, Banna, Bala, Tulsi and a few more friends from distant streets also came to play this new sport in the back of our house. This was a no man’s land and soon it acquired the name of ‘Peetu da ground’. At other times this ground was used for marbles, Gulli Danda, Stappu, Pithoo Garam, Chhupa Chhupai, and hitting hard others with a rubber ball etc. During the week days, the students from my neighboring Govt Primary School Ward 10 Panipat, will be brought by their teachers to memorize tables by shouting vigorously. My mom will curse them for the noice and the dust spread by sitting mats. This is the school where all kids were used to get education from. Subsequently my Dad acquired a part of this ground.
My Dad Sdr Vasdev Singh in the same ground later turned into kitchen garden
The so called ‘Peetu da Ground’ we played was later converted into small kitchen garden and subsequently purchased by my Dad. Gobind Ram a neighboring Riksha pullar was asked to maintain the same.
My friends often jokingly compared me to A G Milkha Singh. I was no where near to that top order batter who played for the country. However I played up to college level and club level cricket where a Ranji Trophy player Devi Chand Worrel was our coach. I am to proud to say that I captained my college team also.
Amritsar Govindsingh Milkha Singh was an Indian Test cricketer. Milkha Singh was a left-handed batsman and an occasional right arm medium pace bowler. He came from a famous cricketing family which also produced A. G. Ram Singh and his more successful brother A. G. Kripal Singh. The family was settled and played for Madras.
A G Milkha Singh
In our days, Sikhs always played Cricket with their turban on. It’s only after Bishan S Bedi from Amritsar came on the scene to play cricket, that he started using a small size of turban known as ‘Patka’.
In our days, Sikhs always played Cricket with their turban on. It’s only after Bishan S Bedi from Amritsar came on the scene to play cricket, that he started using a small size of turban known as ‘Patka’.
Best Qawwal in 1962
The memorable picture when I lead a team of my class mates to sing a Qawwaly in my college Annual Function in Chandigarh. My Chacha Ji S Inderjit singh along with his son Pappu(Jagmohan) also attended the function. Director Punjab Technical Education presided over the function. Chacha Ji was so excited to see me perform that he went and introduced me to the Director.
I was also declared best Qawwal of the year.
‘Indian Mutiny of 1857 and The Sikhs’ By Dr Ganda Singh
I have highest regards for Dr Ganda Singh who did a marvelous job on Sikh history. I got connected to him when I came across his book on ‘Bhai Nand Lal Granthavsli’. Being a resident of Patiala, he met many of my family who settled there after partition to collect materials for the book. Incidentally he recorded my name in the family tree of Bhai Nand Lal ji Goya. He also mentioned brief details of my Dad S Vasdev Singh, my uncle S Inderjit Singh, grandfather L Bhagwan Dass and his older brother L Sham Dass.
Here are the details of Gadar and Sikhs by Sardar Sajjan Singh Ji:
"Thank God that we didn't hit you with shoes"
-Dr. Ganda Singh
In 1957, on the 100th anniversary of the False Ghadar Movement, the Nehru Government convened a conference on the subject of "Why the Ghadar of 1857 Failed?".
Which was presided over by eminent Sikh Historian Dr. Ganda Singh.
The conference was attended by eminent scholars from different parts of the country.
The accents of the so-called scholars were the same as all the myths that the Sikhs should be targeted and humiliated and the false heroes of the 1857 mutiny should be made heroes by covering up the sins of their false heroes. Making them Gadar heroes by polishing with patriotism. All in all, the ropes were to be made into snakes and the sacrifices of the Sikhs were to be mourned.
But the humiliation and blasphemy from the presiding Gursikh was not tolerated by Dr Ganda Singh . He understood that an attempt has been made to poison with the sweetness of the presidency they want to deliver.
Dr. Ganda Singh was the heir to the throne of those who stumbled upon the thrones with a clear conscience and dedicated to the Guru. What a presidency of a convention to him !! Dr Ganda Singh Sahib refused to swallow the poison, that it, while resigning from the presidency while sitting on the stage, he immediately slammed the opposition and demanded time to speak from the stage.
At that time the earth moved out from under everyone's feet but there was still an earthquake to come. When Dr Ganda Singh roared like a wounded lion on stage, the so-called scholars began to tremble like Gandhi's goat. Calling Guru Fateh, he began to say:
"Never before in history have I read so many unforgettable people sitting in front of me forgetting this favor, there are the chains of slavery of the Mughals that have been around your neck for 700 years, We were sacrificed when the first voice of freedom was raised by Dhan Guru Nanak Sahib calling Babar a tyrant (After this Guru Sahib's sacrifices, with which Sikhs saved India from foreign aggression).
How did the Sikh warriors bring back your thirty thousand daughters and daughters-in-law from the markets of Ghazni ? You unfaithful have forgotten Baba Gurbaksh Singh ? Forgotten Baba Deep Singh, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Baghel Singh, Hari Singh Nalwa, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Who hoisted the flag of victory in Afghanistan where you were defeated by the Pathans and for fear of jihadi attacks? We Dara-e-Khaibar in the history so far, Who called? We, Who crushed the English? We One and a half percent of our numbers and Our sacrifices in the war of Independence 87% More than half the Panth ended up saving this country and you patriots and we are traitors?
Let's talk about the Ghadar of 1857 which you call the first war fought for the Independence of the country. It has nothing to do with Independence. Not only that, it was a spark ignited in the name of religion from Meerut cantonment. The Hindus were angry that the gun bullets has cow fat on it and Muslims were angry that it trampling is like eating pork. How can a riot in the name of religion become a war of Independence?
The Queen of Jhansi whom you crowned as the Queen of Freedom struggle, what freedom fight did she fought ? Her husband was a drunkard and cruel king. After his death, Lakshmi Bai began to rule in Jhansi. The oppressed people of Jhansi went to the British and the British took over Jhansi. She then wrote three letters to the British.
In the first letter, she wrote that she should be given a pension of two lakh rupees a month. The British refused saying that if she had children, she could get a pension. Since, she have no children, so they can't give her pension. She adopted a child on the advice of her loyalists and wrote another letter saying that now that I have adopted a child, an annual pension of ten lakh rupees should be granted. The British replied that if the king had been adopted child when he was alive, the pension could have been sanctioned but not now. Then the Queen of Jhansi wrote a third letter to the British saying give me two lakh rupees including Jhansi I am yours and my soldiers will help you fight against the rebels (She was willing to send her soldiers to kill the Indians with the British for two lakh rupees.) The three letters are in London.
The rest of the heroes you talk about Tantia Tope and Nana Sahib are all these villains - these were tyrants whose people were many times happier under the British rule than under their rule.
They use to collect taxes from the poor people like street thugs. What freedom struggle did they fight? (It is worth mentioning that the winning General Sardar Sher Singh son of the great hero General Sardar Sham Singh Attari. Who had torn apart the British in the battle grounds of Ram Nagar and Chelianwali. As a result, Governor Viscount Gough had to resign. That General Shri. Sher Singh Attari was taken prisoner and kept in the fort of Allahabad and Allahabad was occupied by Nana Sahib). What freedom were they fighting for?
On the other hand the soldiers who revolted have their king Declare to Bahadur Shah Zafar the Mughal government with which we have been wielding swords for centuries for which we have witnessed millions of martyrs.
What was this freedom that helped to establish the roots of that Moghal government?
We were free, we were happy, we had our own great empire. Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh closed his eyes, the British and you became friends . In 1849, you joined with the British to enslave us. We fought like warriors with arms outstretched like lions without arms, we fought with our heads like lions, we fought against the British, we won the war and we lost the war because of the betrayal by your elders.
Who were the Lal, the Gulab , the Dhyaan ?
Who were traitor in Khalsa Raj? You looted our property at the instigation of the British, burned houses, committed heinous crimes, we have witnessed to it.
Muslim historians and the British themselves are recorded history, how you insulted your daughters and sisters. We saved a few daughters and sisters. Did you give us this reward ?
How many years from 1849 to 1857? At that time there were more than ten thousand Khalsa Army in jails. Thousands of missing Sikh generals were imprisoned. The Singhs had restrictions on riding horses. We had a rift and you were just stinging like a thorn in our eyes at that time and above you were looking for our support in this headless foot fight?
"Thank God, we didn't hit you with shoes". It is important to answer this lie of yours so that the world may know what is the truth of the false mutiny of 1857. I will write a book tonight. Speaking of which, Dr Ganda Singh Ji took permission.
Many so-called intellectuals slipped away from venue, what was yet to be spoken, some withdrew their names, and many became busy rewriting their speeches.
Indeed, Dr. Ganda Singh wrote a book that night
"THE INDIAN MUTINY OF 1857 AND THE SIKHS" .
This is a Historical Fact in the infiltration of 1857, valuables of the Sikh treasures were looted from the fort of Fatehgarh by the so-called revolutionaries.
This looting was reported by VD Savarkar named the first war of independence in 1907 in a very clever way through an article. And then what else is there? There was nothing. Polishing lies and blasphemy- The princes were portrayed as patriotic heroes like in the movie story.
To suppress the psyche of the Sikhs, they have been and are being portrayed as villains.
Many Sikh heroes have also accepted this lie as true because education is taught to us as they want. We never want to read our history on our behalf.
Probably this is the reason why we know Lakshmi Bai from our childhood who knows about Mai Bhag Kaur when the world tells us that your mother Bhag Kaur is one of the three brave women in the world.
The story of this lie overshadowed the martyrdom of Ghadar Babas, Udham, Sarabhis, Babbar Akalis. Perhaps that is why this story was projected.
Patriotism is that which has no personal interest behind it and that which has lust behind it is not patriotism. There will be millions of murders behind the noise of Independence.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
(Courtesy - Sardar Sajjan Singh Ji)
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Bhai Nand Lal Goya as Kapoor Khatri
I have been trying to do research various books and historic records to find out deep rooted lineage of our ancestors.
Bhai Nand Lal Goya, 1633-1713, (Born in Ghazni Afghanistan, Died in Mohalla Aghapura Multan)
It has come to light that Bhai Nand Lal son of Diwan Chhaju Mall of Ghzni were from ‘Duradh Khatri’ caste. Originally Diwan Chhaju mall a Khatri who would follow Vaishnav sect of Hindu religion and performed every ritual that Vaishnavs did during their ‘Kirt and Karam’ in their day to day life.
There is a historic evidence when Nand Lal a child was at the growing age of 9, their spiritual Vaishnav Guru was invited to perform a religious ceremony to bring the child into formal Vaishnav dharma. Nand Lal was given a Kanthmala (necklace) to put around his neck by reciting given vaidic Mantras. To which Nand Lal refused to put around his neck and adopt him his spiritual Guru by giving philosophical reasons by which the Guru was stunned. This occurrence is similar to Guru Nanak Dev Ji refusing to wear ‘Janeyu’ to adopt Hinduism.
Two Ariana Afghan Airlines Staff Pose For A Picture, Kabul, Afghanistan, 1970 (c). The Pilot Kuldeep Singh Kapoor (Right) Belonged To The Now Almost Non-existent Community Of Afghan Sikhs.
As per records and oral history Bhai Nand Lal ji Goya was a ‘Duradh Khatri’
The pilot Mr Kuldeep is very closely related and is married to sister of my brother-in-law. I had also the opportunity to meet his Dad Sardar Kanwar Singh Kapoor. Whose ancestry are produced below:
Diwan Santo
F/o Diwan Dallo Singh Kapoor
F/o S Totah Singh Kapoor
F/o S Kanwar Singh Kapoor 1913 - 2000
F/o Dr Kulraj S Kapoor & Kuldeep S Kapoor
Photo: courtesy Kuldeep Kapoor
S Kanwar S Kapoor in light turban and tie is seen above taking the Indian delegation around Shor Bazar Kabul.
S Kanwar Singh Kapoor after graduating from top Habiba High School Kabul was able to get a banking job in Afghan Mili (National) Bank through his cousin Hukam Chand Kapoor who was a highest ranking officer as President of the bank.
S Kanwar S Kapoor remained as General Manager of Afghan Bank in Bombay from 1959-1970 before going back to Kabul and retired in 1980.
Sardar Kanwar Singh Kapoor was very religious and supported Sikhi Saroop till he breathed his last in 2000. Being the President of Bhai Mansa Singh Gurdwara Kabul, he personally helped to perform about 50 Anand Karaj in the Gurdwara.
The Bala Hisar Fort, also known as Ghaznain Fort, dating back 2,000 years, is located in three kilometers of distance from the Kabul-Ghazni Highway where many explosions have happened over the years which has damaged the historical site.
Balasaar community
Photo: Photo courtesy Kuldeep Kapoor
Photo: Photo courtesy Kuldeep Kapoor
Historic Manji Sahib Gurdwara Bhai Nand Lal ji, Balasaar old Ghazani City.
Kuldeep Kapoor told me that entire Kapoor family lived in a Cul De Sac called ‘Koochai Dewan Ghazni’ in a place called Bala Hessar (hilltop Fort) in a town about 7000ft elevation level called Ghazani. He further told me that he had seen the house of Diwan Nand Lal where his childhood friends pointed towards a famous house of Diwan Nand Lal. In fact Nand Lal was a very common name and one of his uncle(Masar ji) was also named Nand Lal.
Koochai Dewan Ghazni
Photo courtesy Kuldeep Kapoor
Kuldeep Kapoor, being a trained professional pilot, worked along side USA forces as he was aware of the difficult terrain and could easily communicate with local people. Dare devil as Kuldeep Kapoor is, he served the US Army and saved many people to bring them to safe place by flying innumerable sorties in war pron Afghan area.
When Diwan Nand Lal, after the death of his Dad Dewan Chhaju Mall, left Ghazani and settled down in a place outside Delhi Darvaza, Multan. That neighborhood even today happens to be known as Mohalla Aghapura in Multan now in Pakistan. The family of Bhai Nand Lal got scattered after country’s partition in 1947 and migrated to cities like Amritsar, Patiala, Delhi and a few other places on the basis of opportunities they could get. It’s at this point they adopted their last names as Kapoor/Khanna from the same blood though.
The family also was allotted 800 Acres of agricultural lands in village Badbar District Barnala (erstwhile District Sangrur). Many of the family members who are professionally educated and have now migrated to USA, Canada and Australia.and are very well settled.
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