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Distortion Of Sikh History Continues In Indian Books

Jul 10, 2006
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Distortion of Sikh History continues in Indian Books
Sunday 11th of June 2006
Panthic Weekly News Bureau

"The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history, Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long the nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was. The world around it will forget even faster……The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.”
-Milan Kundera


Amritsar Sahib, Punjab (KP) - Sikh organizations worldwide stand united and resolute in protest against the blatant and systematic distortion of Sikh history in elementary and high school history textbooks by the RSS and other Hindu extremist groups. Sikhs along with other minority communities including Christians, Muslims and Jains have become victims of a massive government organized campaign to spread false and distorted information about these minority communities in an attempt to homogenize them into the construct of one religion, one language, one land of Hindus: Hindu, Hindi, Hindustan.

Despite the protests and peaceful pleas from the Sikh community and various other minority groups, the government continues to allow and in fact supports the publishing of this false information about these religious groups.

Just recently the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) published a history on ‘Medieval India’ to be used in the high school curriculum. In this, Professor Satish Chandra of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi wrote that Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji was a ‘looter and a rapist’ and that Guru Sahib became a martyr not in the name of the freedom to practice religion but because Chandra claims Guru Sahib ‘was a criminal.’ When the Sikh minority expressed their grievances with this gross historical fallacy, Chandra defended his work by saying that he used a ‘credible Persian source’ albeit that this source was written over a century after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Shaheedi. When questioned about the erroneous points that he presented in the text he said that he wanted to provide a ‘constructive interpretation of tradition.’

Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi expressed support for Chandra’s work despite protests from the Sikh minority. The book is full of numerous other historical fallacies about the Sikh Guru Sahibans with false information saying that Guru Nanak Sahib ‘renounced the world’, that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a ‘worshipper of Hindu Goddess Chandi’ and that Sikhi is ‘a part of the Hindu movement.’

Another history textbook titled ‘History of Punjab Part II’ which is full of historical fallacies and objectionable material about the Sikh Guru Sahibans is now in wide distribution and being implemented in Punjab school curricula. The book makes multiple flagrant distortions of Sikh history calling Baba Budha Ji ‘a thief,’ and portraying Guru Hargobind Sahib as a person of immoral character. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is termed as an ‘oppressor’ while Guru Gobind Singh Ji is presented as a weak hearted person and a worshipper of the Hindu Goddess Durga. Numerous other perversions of history are presented in this book which is being used in the syllabi throughout Punjab and in several other states.

The Sarbat Khalsa Mission issued a referendum calling for a committee to be established to ensure that such historical distortions are not permitted in the future. They also stated that only accurate and approved books with proper scholastic research should be implented into the curricula. They also called for action against Lahore Book Shop, Lajput Rai Market, Ludhiana, the book publishers and made a call to all Sikhs worldwide to boycott their company and to take strict actions against the owners of the publishing firm.


A glimpse of material contained in the books:


In Original Gurmukhi Format :
View Page AView Page B


English Translations:

Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji And Bhai Bidhi Chand

A Sikh of the Guru was bringing a Turkish horse to Amritsar as a gift for the guru. The officials of the king in Lahore intercepted the Sikh and took the horse into their possession. The officials then presented the horse to the king. Upon seeing the beauty of the horse, the king ordered that the horse be sent to his stables and a fair price be given to the owner of the horse. When the guru came to hear of this incident, he became extremely angered, as he was not able to do anything else. Due to some unknown circumstances, this horse became crippled. The king then proceeded to gift this horse to the kazi of Lahore. The kazi sought treatment of the horse, after which the horse became well once again. Guru decided that he would attempt to purchase this horse from the kazi for 10 thousand rupees. He took possession of the horse from the kazi in Lahore to Amritsar without paying the price. In the meantime, a Sikh of the guru captured a falcon of the king. Also, a woman by the name of Kaulan who was staying in the haveli of the kazi fled with the same Sikh who had captured the falcon of the King. The woman Kaulan was in love with the guru therefore the Sikh helped her flee from the kazi.

Another Quarrel Between The Guru And The King
While living in the jungles, Guru Hargobind Ji brought many people into the Sikh fold. Of the individuals who had become Sikhs there was one who was a famous thief known as Buddha. This thief later on became known as Baba Buddha. The title of Baba was bestowed upon Buddha by the Sikhs of that time. This person by the name of Buddha stole two of the kings most prized horses from the king’s stables and presented them to the guru. This incident led the king to become even more angered as he was already quite angered by the deeds of the guru. The king sent a large force of soldiers from Lahore under the command of Kamar Begh and Lal Begh to Amritsar. The army while advancing rapidly crossed the Satluj River.


The Gurus Return To Punjab
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji returned to Anandpur from Patna. Upon returning, he purchased some land for 500 rupees from Devi Madho the king of Kehloor. On this land, he founded the city of Makhowal, which even to this day exists near the bank of the river Satluj near Kartarpur. The city of Kartarpur was one resting place of Guru Hargobind Ji, which the Sikhs consider as a holy place. After living as an Udhasi in Bengal and then returning to Punjab, it seems as if the Guru (Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji) began a criminal life of killing and looting. He had once again resumed his criminal activities, which he had suspended whilst living as an Udhasi in Bengal. The land between the Satluj River and Jhansi had been completely plundered by Guru Tegh Bahadur.


The Gurus Rebellious Activities
The guru had also joined with Adam Haffaz and when this Muslim began looting and killing fellow Muslims the Guru also followed his lead and began killing his fellow Hindus. Places of worship had become the prime target of the Guru and Haffaz. From the villages they had recruited many armed followers who were paid handsome salaries for their assistance in the lootings and killings. Those that were rebelling against the Mughal Empire were also inducted into the criminal gang of the guru.


The Order Of The Guru
The Sikhs who Guru Gobind Singh had, given the name Khalsa, were ordered to arm themselves, keep their weapons with them at all times, keep knotted and long hairs*, wear blue clothing, never wear red clothes, and never used tobacco. All the restrictions, which had been placed on eating and drinking, were abolished.

*The guru was the follower of the goddess Durga who was the goddess of power. The devi had permitted the guru to open his hair and unsheathe his sword. The guru had vowed to keep his hair uncut in the remembrance of the goddess Durga, he then also gave this command to his Sikhs.

Teachings For His Son Gobind
Guru Tegh Bahadur said to his son Gobind “now I am going to become a martyr, son make sure my body is not left to be eaten by crows and dogs.” Afterwards he instructed his son to take revenge for his soon to come death and appointed him as his successor. He picked his son up in his arms, kissed him on the forehead, and proceeded to leave for Delhi. These were times when the King had jailed hundreds of Brahmins and had hoped that if Guru Tegh Bahadur would become Muslim, then the rest of the Hindus in jails and otherwise would follow his lead.


The King Asks For A Miracle To Be Performed
The king had a religious debate with Guru Tegh Bahadur numerous times and said that if you are the real Guru then show some miracle otherwise adopt the Islamic faith. When the Guru said no to both options given by the king he was sent to prison. The guru has asked numerous times to become a Muslim but he declined their request every time. For this disobedience, they began to torture the guru. Not being able to take this torture any longer, the Guru declared that he will show a miracle and will provide proof that his path is true.


A Unique Scheme
He was presented before the King, on this occasion all the Kings employees were present to witness the miracle. Addressing the gathering the Guru Ji said that a man’s religion is to remember God but since the King has ordered him to show some miracle he shall obey these orders. Then Guru Ji proceeded to write some words on a piece of paper thaveeth which he then tied around his neck. He then exclaimed that no sword could cut his neck due to what he had written on that paper. Now the executioner was called so that this miracle may be tested. When the executioner swung his sword and hit the Gurus neck, the guru’s head separated from his body and landed on the ground. Seeing this onlookers were surprised. Then the papers was taken from the guru neck and read, the paper had the following written on it, “ਸਿਰ ਦੀਆ ਸਰ ਨ ਦੀਆ” ** meaning that he had given his head but not revealed his secret. The guru did not longer physically exist but his holy deed stayed forever. All were surprised to see this incident take place; the king himself became saddened and in anger ordered all to leave. Even though, this is the tale that the lovers of miracles have narrated; it is most likely that the guru was declared a rebel and executed.

(** Eds. Note: The above is a serious distortion of Gurbani, the actual verse is : ਸੀਸ ਦੀਆ ਪਰ ਸਿਰਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਆ ॥)

These blasphemous extracts provide further evidence that the RSS in collaboration with the Government of India is on a wide scale misinformation campaign to distort, misrepresent, discredit and swallow all minority communities into the Hindutva mold in order to make their motto of 'Hindu, Hindi, Hindustan Bakee Ka Nahee Rahey Nishan' a reality. It is crucial for the Sikh Nation to understand the seriousness of this issue, and the need to take appropriate actions so further denigration and alteration of Sikh history is thwarted immediately.

Panthic Weekly appreciates the efforts taken by organizations such as Sarbat Khalsa Mission, Shahbaaz Khalsa, GURSIKH, Khalsa Alliance, and others so our Nation can be kept aware of the surreptitious attacks on our faith and history by Hinduvta forces and agencies.

Reference Information :

Letters from Organizations in regards the above books :

Original Letter by Sarbat Khalsa Mission :
Click to View Page 1

English Translation :

Our children will lose faith after reading such books with distorted facts about Sikh Guru Sahibans and the roots of Sikh values will be destroyed. This is the reason that this matter needs immediate action. Should we accept that history writers and teachers are enemies of Sikh values? Before writing such false information, writers should think and collect only true matter so that it matches the historical facts written by Bhai Veer Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh and only those books should be taught in schools and colleges.

History of Punjab Part II, History of the Punjab by Mohamad Lateef, and other such books, interpreted by Gurmukh Singh ‘Gurmukh’ and published by Tajinderbir Singh, should be taken back from schools and colleges and should be banned instantaneously.

1. A committee should be established to read again all the history books published, so that publishing of such degrading books can be recognized and then banned.
2. Only, accurate and approved books should then be allowed in schools and colleges.
3. Above mentioned books are being sold at “Layalpur Depot” outside the Akal Garh Market, for the purpose of disturbing the environment and to defame Sikhs.
4. Above-mentioned book has been published by Lahore Book Shop, Lajpat Rai Market, Ludhiana. Strict actions should be taken towards the owner of this shop so that the situation can be brought to normal again.
Please cooperate,
with grief,
Sarbat Khalsa Mission (Reg:)

President: Jarnail Singh Vice President: Gurdeep Singh
General Secretary: Harmeet Singh Press Secretary: Prabhjeet Singh
Secretary: Jagjeet Singh Treasurer: Kamaldeep Singh




Gurmukhi Original of Collective Letter :
Click to View

English Translation of Collective Letter by:

Kalghidhar Youth Seva Society, Sarbat Khalsa Mission, Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee, Sarab Rog Ka Aukadh Naam, Guru Angad Dev Seva Society (Reg), Nitnem Seva Society, Gurmat Chetna Front, Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Seva Society


Khalsa Ji Wake Up...............Khalsa Ji Wake Up………….Wake Up Now!!!!
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Sadh Sangat Ji in the stores a book by the name of History of Punjab Part II has been published. In this book, a great deal of objectionable material has been written regarding Sikh Guru Sahibs. Also in this book disrespectful words have been used for Baba Budha Ji, which have pierced the hearts of every Sikh. In this book, Mard Agamra Kalghidhar Pathshah Guru Gobind Singh Ji is described as a weak hearted person. In this book, the 6th Guru Sahib, who uttered the words “ਦੋਲਤ ਗੁਜਰਾਨ, ਔਰਤ ਇਮਾਨ, ਪੁੱਤਰ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ” is portrayed as a person of bad character. In this book, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib who uttered the words “ਭੈਅ ਕਾਹੂ ਕੋ ਦੇਤ ਨਹਿ, ਨਹਿ ਭੈਅ ਮਾਨਤ ਆਨ” is termed as an oppressor. In this book, Bhram Giani Baba Budha Ji is said to be a thief.
Most shameful is the fact that this book, which pierced the heart of all Sikhs, was printed by in Punjabi by Lahore Book Shop, Ludhiana: Prof. Tejinderbir Singh and in English and Hindi by Kalyani Publisher Lyallpur Book Center Choura Bazaar Ludhiana.
The main point to take notice of is that this book has been included in the history syllabus and it presents a much distorted version of Sikh history, which will lead to the weakening of Sikh credibility throughout the world.
Sadh Sangat Ji, this has now become intolerable. What worse can we hear than this?? They have directly attacked us by presenting our Guru Sahibs in such a false and degrading manner.
Wake Up Now!!! Our self-respect is being threatened!!!!!
Wake Up Now!!! They are killing you in your own home!!!!
Wake Up Now!!!

The Guru who you bow your head to, the guru from whom you ask for your wants, over who you wave the whisk, over whom you hang a canopy, that Gurus glory and grandness is being tarnished!!!!!!!!!!

If you do not wake up now then do not be proud of the saroop that you see in the mirror, which was gifted to you by Guru Gobind Singh Ji….instead you should feel ashamed. Our Guru Sahib has taught us to protect the religion of others but we are not even protecting our own religion. If we do not give these people a strong/powerful response today then any Tom, {censored}, and Harry will get up and speak wrong of our Guru Sahibs. If we have love towards our Guru…if we truly accept Guru Granth Sahib Ji as our father, then those brothers who are fighting this battle, lets stand with them and prove that we are the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
This is not a request but this is a message as we all have the same father
Come, let us work collectively…….

Kalghidhar Youth Seva Society * Sarbat Khalsa Mission * Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee * Sarab Rog Ka Aukadh Naam * Guru Angad Dev Seva Society (Reg) * Nitnem Seva Society * Gurmat Chetna Front * Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Seva Society * the entire Sadh Sangat. Mobile: 98882-46276, 92179-40965, 98150-40945, 98762-08665, 5145249, 98154-02525, 98158-00113.
 
Dec 8, 2005
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I have already told you .
you shall be massarced , invaded and scorched earth policy heaped upon you.
For you speak the ultimate Truth which upsets a lot of establishment.

The truth is

"Nanak Nam chadi kala tere bane sarbat tha bhalla".

The survival kit in India is made up of 4 B's

Brains
Bravery
Babies
Bihari like thinking and living.


Be prepared for an other massacre by some {censored}
.
love

hps62
 
Wow, I was reading those extracts and was quite surprised at the amount of random claims that were stated without any reference to historical/textual references/evidence!

It seems that this a children's book?


About the plundering part....that may be true to some extent.....sikhs were known to plunder villages as a result of the severe persecution they faced. Whether the Guru's themselves approved of these methods is debatable/objectionable because it stands against their teachings of morality.

One line that you highlighted (in the text) about Guru Teg Buhadur is true:
"it is most likely that the guru was declared a rebel and executed."
that is the most likely case...The mughals did veiw the liberal sikh movement as rebelious.

But then again we sikhs have our own propaganda machines as well. One that does not shed light on the techniques and methods used by sikhs to gain regional power.

exiled sikhs did plunder/loot innocent civillian populations....demonstrating the traditional bedouin-sown social relationships.(Im assuming.....the majority looted because of necessity rather than choice...whether that jsutifies their actions is also debatable)

I have read alot of other nonsense propaganda...both anti-sikh and "pro-sikh".


Quite sad... how easily the truth can be manipulated by not only outside organizations but also from those who claim to represent the faith
(refering to the fancifal tales that are discussed in childrens texts...of magic and miracles performed by the Guru's....the sakhi....which portray the Guru's as "other-worldy beings")

That aside...Half of the the stuff mentioned is garbage....and should be corrected! (in the book)

Whether this is an author who is slightly anti-sikh (unknowlegeable/ignorant) or whether this is part of an ellaborate plan for the Hindu's to take over India....is also exaggerated/debatable (and propoganda in its own right).
 
Dec 8, 2005
241
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Hypotheses

Certian old religions (no name) who have lost the race to christianity are trying to catch up by terrrorism or propoganda.

It would be best for them to accept defeat in a honourable manner and grant the winner his due.

After all he is not unsurping your land , woman etc which certian religions would have done had they been the winners.

Guess that is why they never won the race.

A newly born religion like Sikhism keeping pace with them is a sore point.

The best way to show sikhs down is to massacre them , defame them etc etc.

Good luck SIkh brothers lest we dont meet.

love

hps62:cool:
 
Dec 8, 2005
241
12
Because they snatched my land and drove me out of it from the land of sargoda.

My pansy anscestor awere a lazy and coward lump who could not defened the land.

Not a single gurdwara has come up in Pakistan /Afghanistan rather what ever Sikhs were there have also been driven out.

They have a central HQ from where all their activities are directed against Non muslims.

Please read on my article and you will understand the design of Islam :-


subscribed.gif
Report card for Indian Lions : Two down three in line. (
multipage.gif
1 2)

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Indian muslim a sucess story:- lessons for Sikhs

Parodoxes in SIKH philosophy. Time to remidy it !

you will then understand the master design.

love

hps62
 

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