Uch da Peer-Guru Gobind Singh ji: Historical fact

Guru Gobind Singh left Anandpur Sahib for ever at night on Wednesday, Poh 6-7, 1761 Sambat (1704 AD). The family of Guru ji and other Singh parted into three groups at the bank of river Sarsa. Mata Gujjar Kaur and both the younger Sahibjadas Fateh Singh and Zoraver Singh accompanied Guru ji’s cook Gangu Brahmin to his village Saheri. Guru ji and both elder Sahibjadas Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh alongwith 40 Singhs left for Chamkaur Sahib via Ropar, and Mata Sunder Kaur and Mata Sahib Kaur alongwith Bhai Mani Singh went towards Delhi. The decisive battle in the life of Guru ji took place in the Fortress of Chamkaur Sahib in which both the elder Sahibjadas Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh out of Five Beloveds alongwith 34 other Singh got martyrdom. Guru ji said, “I will go to the battlefield”. Having listened to these words, Singh suggested Guru ji that Panth needed his majesty to the highest degree therefore he should not go to the battlefield. Then a group of five Singh ordered him to quit the Fortress of Chamkaur. Implementing the order of Singh, Guru ji said, “You will see me in the Jungles of Machhiwara, come to the direction of Pole star.” Having clapped, Guru ji left Chamkaur Sahib.

Having left the Fortress of Chamkaur Sahib, Guru ji reached village Choohadpur via Bahilolpur and took shelter under a huge bush. Now Gurudwara Jhar Sahib is located at that place. From there Guru ji arrived Machhiwara Sahib on Poh 8, 1761 Sambat (22^nd December, 1704 AD) at night via Pawat where Gurudwara Kangha Sahib is situated. The place, where Sache Patishah paced his steps, is now known as Charan Kanwal Sahib. Gurudwara Charan Kanwal Sahib is a remarkable place situated on Shri Guru Gobind Singh Road. There is a rivulet created with dampness of river Sutlej in front of the main gate of this Gurudwara which is called ‘Charan Ganga’. It rises from a region located nearby village Sahjo Majra and flows by the Cottage of Naths and merges into Budha stream. There was Jungle of Lakhi at that time and River Sutlej used to flow by the garden of two Masand brothers Gulaba and Panjaba. In Hindu Philosophy, Charan Ganga is considered as sacred as river Ganga and it is said to be related to Pandavs. Now Charan Ganga is fully polluted but it used to be pollution-free a few years ago. Taking bath in it was considered a pious act a few years ago when it was not polluted. Some people say that Guru ji washed the injured feet in the Charan Ganga and then took water from the well in the garden of Gulaba and Panjaba to quench his thirst. This well still exists and its holy water is available for the pilgrims. Moreover, the nearby pond is filled with the water of this well. Having picked up an earthen bowl meant for drawing water from the well, Guru ji took rest under a nearby Jand tree. This tree is still present in the yard of Gurudwara Charan Kanwal Sahib. Here Guru ji recited the following ‘Shabad’ in remembrance of God: -

Khiyal Patshahi 10

Mitter Piyare noon haal mureeda da kehna.

Tudh bin rog rajaya da odan,

Nag niwasa de rehna.

Sul surahi khanjar piyala

Bing kasaya da sehna.

Yarde da sanu sather changa

Bhath kheria da rehna.

(Shabad Hajare Shri Dasam Granth Sahib)

Out of Five Beloveds Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh and one Bhai Maan Singh traced Guru ji at this place. Mahi, the servant of Masand brothers Gulaba and Panjaba, saw Sache Patishah and informed Gulaba and Panjaba of it. They reached the garden immediately; they saw Guru ji and requested him to move to their home. At their request, Guru ji alongwith other Singh went to their home where there is Gurudwara Chubara Sahib now. Gulaba and Panjaba provided Guru ji and others with meal. Mata Hardei, who used to present new cloths to Guru ji every year at Anandpur Sahib, came to know of the arrival of Guru ji. She could not pay a visit to Anandpur Sahib on account of old age and illness. Mataji saw Guruji, and her present was accepted. At Chamkaur when Mogul Army became aware of the escape of Guru ji, mogul Commander Dilawar Khan along with a troop of soldiers went in search of Guru ji and reached Machhiwara. Gulaba and Panjaba became nervous when they got the news and they requested Guru ji to leave from there.

Guruji’s devotee two Pathan brothers Gani Khan and Nabi Khan were also resident of Machhiwara. Gani Khan and Nabi Khan were those brave and reliable brothers who helped Guru ji in the crisis as a testimony of friendship, sympathy and compassion. They were steed-merchants and they used to supply horses to Guru ji at Anandpur Sahib. When they came to know of the arrival of Guru ji, They went to Guru ji and urged to bless their home by visiting there. On coming here, Gani Khan and Nabi Khan noticed that a number of spies were in action. Then it was ordered to call in a dyer to dye new clothes. The dyer urged that clothes are dyed in a ready Pitcher. It does so after three days of mixing colour. Satiguru told that Pitcher was ready. Dyer was surprised to know that the Pitcher was really ready. Dyer was convinced that he was a saintly character let me ask for something. He presented himself before Guru ji with dyed clothes. He stood with folded hands. Guru ji wanted to pay him but he refused to accept money. Guru ji asked what he wanted then. He prayed, “O lord, I am childless, bless me”. Then a commitment was made. He next begged, “It is hard to make two ends meet, debts due to colour are difficult to redeem, kindly secure me.” Then Guru ji blessed “mix no colour hereafter to the Pitcher in which you dyed my clothes. When you dip a clothe in it with an imagination of requisite colour, the same colour will materialise. Keep the Pitcher covered and never disclose this secret”. That Pitcher exists in Gurudwara Chubara Sahib at the moment in a ruptured state. The consecrated Dyer went away; Gani Khan and Nabi Khan prayed that they were also childless. Guru ji said to them, “You are blessed”. The boons were recorded in Hukamnama. The Photostat copy of the Hukamnama which was written in their home exists in the Gurudwara Gani Khan and Nabi Khan and the original one is in the possession of their heir. Guru ji spent two nights here.

The army of Dilawar Khan surrounded the Jungles of Machhiwara. At the time of leaving from Delhi, he prayed to God, O Allah tala, let my army not to face the forces of Guru Gobind Singh, I will offer 500 golden coins to Uch da Peer for this purpose. It was planned to escape from the reach of Royal army in guise of Uch da Peer. All of them put on azure cloths and carried Guru ji in a bed. They just covered nearly one and half a mile, when Royal forces checked them for identification. Dilawar Khan asked who he was and where he was left for. Nabi Khan replied that he was their Uch da Peer on pilgrimage to pious places. It was morning. Dilawar Khan was not convinced and asked, “Your Uch da Peer cannot advance without identification, and he should take breakfast with us.” Gani Khan and Nabi Khan said, “Peer is on roza (a Muslim practice of 30 days fast), all of us accept the invitation.” Guru ji shook a Mini Sword (Dagger) in the meal and assumed it as Prasad. Everyone was served Muslim food. The practice of shaking Kirpan (Dagger) in the Deg (pudding) and edibles came into force from that place. Gurudwara Kirpan Bhet Sahib is located at that place. That Gurudwara is known as the camp of Nihangs.

With an intention of identification, Kazi Sayad Noor Mohammad was called in from Nurpur (Near Anandpur Sahib). Guru ji was taught Persian by the Kazi in his childhood and Kazi had a great respect for the Guru ji. Kazi said to Dilawar Khan, “Be thankful to God that the Peer did not curse you for disturbing his journey on bedstead, he is Peer of Peers.” Dilawar Khan bowed and begged his pardon and allowed them to proceed with honour. Guru ji said, “Dilawar Khan, you made a commitment to offer 500 golden coins to Uch da Peer, now honour your obligation.” Dilawar Khan became fully convinced; he instantly got 500 golden coins and a precious shawl and tendered the same to Guru ji asking for forgiveness. Guru ji handed over those offerings to Gani Khan and Nabi Khan. The successor of Gani Khan and Nabi Khan took that bed and other historical things to Bazaar Hakima, Lahore, Pakistan at the time of partition of the country. The tombs of Pathan Brothers are located at Gurudwara Gani Khan and Nabi Khan which initially used to be their residence.

In Machhiwara, a Shock Sabha is arranged at Gurudawara Charan Kanwal Sahib for three days on 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th of December every year in remembrance of that unfortunate time. From here, Guru ji left for Alamgir in guise of Uch da Peer via Katana Sahib. There Bhai Nighaya offered his horse to Guru ji. Mounting the horse, Guru ji reached Mukatsar, the land of Malwa from Almgir via Riakot. In Mukatsar, Guru ji gained a victory in his last battle against Moguls.