Description of Singhanneea !! kaurs

I came across this fantastic read on another Sikh Forum..Tapoban.Org
Thought it would be worthwhile for our own Kaurs...

Adorning weapons, chakars [quoits] and knifes they wore many [in their dumallas – high conical turbans]. Forty kilos of weapons and armour they adorned. Dressed alike were young and old women. They were strong, powerful and of great charity. Some wore dress of women. Five dressed like men [i.e. in full warrior dress]. Getting Singh and Singhnias ready thus. Sending one Sirdar with them, the Singhnia set off towards the royal palace. The powerful Singhs stood outside. All the royal women came out to see them. They [Singhs] had great moustache and beards. Their eyes were full of rage and eyebrows greater. Wearing many weapons. Seeing their great form and beauty, they were as if incarnations of the warrior spirit. The Begams were astonished. Begams sent them [Singhs] gifts. Saluting the Singhs, they sent them away. Then they looked at the Singhnia. They took them into their palace. They [Singhnia] said, “Sat Siri Akal”. They replied “Salaam” and sat them down. Seeing their form and strong bodies. Dressed in armour and weapons. Listening to their conversation of plundering and war. And how to kill a hunt. And how to aim with bows and muskets. Hearing them, they were astonished. Under their ‘Salwars’ [trouser like garments], were ‘Kashehras’ [breeches]. Seeing their great clothes. Listening to their manly words. The Begams were astounded. The four Singhnia had a special female dress. They wore silver ornaments twenty pounds in weight. Seeing this they were awe struck. Their Salwars were twenty yard long. They wore heavy lower garments. Their top knots stood span and half high. Their Shmeezes were of special design. Their physiques were large and heavy. Seeing them the Begams were astounded because they stood unarmed and weak of body. Fearing the Singhnia they cowered to half their size. Then began discussion on religion. Singhnia dismissed all other religions. The traditions of Muslims [Turks] they called false. The way of Mohammed they said was full of faults. The Singhnia described all the atrocities of the Turks. Hearing them the Begams shuddered. Shocked they covered their mouths with their hands. Hearing of the chastity, sincerity and morals of the Singhs. The Begams spoke nodding their heads. “Singhnia you are of great fate. You move about with you husbands. We are pathetic and suffer greatly. Our life is like life imprisonment. One king has sixty wives. By marrying we are as if trapped in a trap”.’
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/26704-description-of-singhanneea-kaurs.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26704


(‘Naveen Panth Prakash’, Giani Gian Singh Nirmala, 1877, Bhasha Vibhag Publication, Pa.1151-1153)

 
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We hear with our ears but we listen with our minds.
Hearing the sound of a mantra is one thing - listening to it is another !

Gyani ji,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26704

let alone emulate the Singhnias, the Sikh girls are not only dropping the Kaur surname but also giving up the unisex Sikh names for feminine names.

harbans ji..how correct.
But the Kaurs are not alone in this rot..the Singhs...too love their Zaat paat..gills and dhillons dhaliwals etc etc POOCHH more than SINGH.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26704
I absolutley LOVE the White Sikhs..their names are so wonderfully GURMATT friendly !!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26704
Sat Kartar Singh, Gurmustak Singh, Satnam kaur..etc etc...Sikhi is changing for the better..in the WEST..

Absolutely right Gyani ji. However, for some of us it is unfortunate that the surname has to be used for legal reasons – inherited from legal documentation at the time of making passports, naturalization for citizenship purposes etc. It will be too complicated and impractical (legally) to go for name changes.

I think the problem lies in the attitude and not the Surname. Things are changing gradually in the UK and the younger generation does not give too much attention or credence to the family name. What is really objectionable is where individuals try to accentuate their family names just to draw attention to their superior caste. Any surname used with humility should cause no problems.

However, there is no excuse in selecting a suitable first name which reflects Gurmat and affinity to one’s faith. I have been shocked to learn in a few cases (within my family circle) where children have been given names such as Kamran and Aaron – nothing against the faiths from which the names are derived – but it does reflect ignorance on the parts of parents and grand parents – people do so, so as to look trendy and modern. What is wrong with good old names such as Bhagat Singh, Jai Singh, Udham Singh, Dharam Singh.

Worst still is where children are given good names at the time of naam karan only for these to be corrupted into Bittu, Mintoo, Chintoo. Kakoo, Nikoo, Titoo etc - not always the fault of the parents as nicknames are common in schools and sport grounds, and later get so attached that they are hard to shed. I remember when I was in the fourth class in Kenya one of our teachers threw a challenge as to who could sing most songs. Having a musical background, I easily won the competition and immediately the teacher gave me the nickname (I will have to call it a nickname at the time) of ‘Ragi’. Many of my school mates from the fifties and my best friends still refer to me by that name – not out of esteem or respect but out of affinity – it is straight ‘Ragi’ no suffix ‘ji’, and I prefer it that way as they have earned the right – no formalities amongst true friends. I did not like this ‘nickname’ at the time for three reasons:

1. It sounded old-fashioned and out of character as I was no Ragi then and just sang anything I fancied – not necessarily always in swar.

2. My father was popularly referred to as Ragi Ji, because his only spare time activity was kirtan based on Classical Ragaas.

3. It caused confusion with two men referred to as Ragi in the same family – not to mention the amusing anecdotes which occurred as a result.

You mentioned some good names used by our western brothers and sisters. What about Narayanjot Kaur – superb – direct link to the Lord immediately.

Rajinder Singh ‘Arshi’

Gyani ji

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26704
I have always loved this story. And the conversation about it is also very inspiring and thoughtful.

Quote:

You mentioned some good names used by our western brothers and sisters. What about Narayanjot Kaur – superb – direct link to the Lord immediately.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26704

Rajinder Singh ‘Arshi’
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Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26704

Arshi ji....

Narayanjot Kaur Ji deserves a special post all by herself !!
But to be truthful..it slipped my mind...and thank you for reminding me.
Glad we all appreciate what a gem we have at SPN.....May Guru Ji Bless us all.

Enough now!