Chamkaur Ka Yudh

'Chamkaur Ka Yudh' or 'The Battle of Chamkaur' is one among the few battles in world history where one of the opponents exhibit exemplary bravery and sacrifice without any second thought. The historic battle was fought in between the Sikhs and the Mughals, in which barely 40 Sikhs confronted an army of 10 lakh Mughals which was led by Wasim Khan. Guru Gobind Singh described the entire war in the 'Zafarnamah'. In the Zafarnamah, Guru Gobind Singh Ji describes how Aurangzeb had broken his vow sworn upon the Quran and how Guru Gobind Singh Ji won in spite of all efforts made by Aurangzeb. The Zafarnamah is a consortium of 111 verses with varied descriptions regarding the happenings. 34 verses written there praise the Almighty, 32 speak about Aurangzeb’s invitation to Guru Ji to meet him and Guru Ji's refusal to meet the Emperor, 24 verses speak in detail the events in the Battle of Chamkaur, 15 verses are regarding Aurangzeb's breaking of his promise and the remaining 6 verses praise Aurangzeb.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was accompanied by few Sikhs when he left Anandpur Sahib on Dec 5th, 1704. The Hindus and Mughals had promised safe passage for the Sikhs. The Mughals promised it in the name of Quran. However the Mughals couldn't keep their word and an army lead by Wasim Khan attacked Guru Ji and his accompanies. The attack was made during night and in cold and darkness many Sikhs lost their lives. A group of Sikhs decided to stay back and fight the Mughals and thus act a cover for Guru Ji and few Sikhs who had to cross the river Sarsa. While crossing the river Sarsa, Guru Ji and his two sons got separated from their rest of the family. Guru Ji, his two eldest sons and 40 others were able to cross the river. Many others perished in the river currents.

After that Guru Ji and his accompanies were offered shelter at the Haveli of Bhai Budhi Singh. Even after being surrounded by such a huge army leaded by Wasim Khan, Guru Ji never lost his calm and even continued with his daily prayers. When Wasim Khan warned Guru Ji that he would spare him if they surrendered, he got a befitting reply from Guru Ji through the shower of arrows. Guru Ji denied the messengers urge to negotiate.

The Sikhs got ready for the war even if they were very less in numbers. They cried their war cry of 'Sat Sree Akal' and came out for war with the self motivation that one Sikh equaled one lakh twenty five thousand others.

Guru Ji had no differences between his sons and the other Sikhs accompanying him. Baba Ajeet Singh Jee, who was Guru Ji's eldest son came out to face the Mughals with eight other. They fought such that even after having such a huge army the Mughals got afraid and soldiers had to run. Guru Ji watched the battle from top of the fort and Baba Ji was surrounded by Mughals on all sides. Baba Ji attained martyrdom at the tender age when he didn't have any trace of beard on his face. He had experienced death like a true warrior at a very youthful age. Hearing the news of his elder brothers death Baba Juljhar Singh stepped ahead took Guru Ji's blessings to fight the war. He had no fear and took blessings from his father to meet the life giving bride - death. Baba Ji confronted the Mughals and while he was surrounded on all sided he got cover fire from Guru Ji. Baba Ji fought till it was dusk and attained martyrdom. Guru Ji watched both his sons die.

Now they were only 10 Singhs left. The association of Guru Roop Panj Piarey order Guru Ji to leave the fort. Guru Ji abided to their orders, but not like a calm loser, but like a winning lion. He clapped thrice and said that the Peer of India was leaving.

The Mughals initially searched for him in and around Chamkaur but didn't find him. Later Aurangzeb himself stood for peace. Guru Ji wrote the Zafarnamah to Aurangzeb.  

The Unsung Hero

He always wanted to be a soldier. Once when asked by the teacher in lower primary regarding the aim of his life, he replied that he wanted to be a soldier and die saving the frontiers. Instead of appreciating such wonderful words from such an young boy, everyone laughed at him. They saw the fat and stout boy and not the brave-heart within.

He grew up taming the same aim. He tried hard, but he couldn't shed weight. He was rejected by the defence forces because of his weight. He was left disheartened every time. He didn't let the grief stay long and he kept trying.

It took him sometime to understand that service to the countrymen meant service to the country ans that he didn't need an uniform to serve his motherland. He started doing odd jobs which none could imagine. He filled potholes, taught kids who couldn't afford tuition's, and spend most time working with farmers in the fields. His life went along by rendering service to the people. He gave all time for community service. 

He visited a nearby town for an event. There was a huge crowd. His source of recreation was  such small town mela's where he exchanged conversations with those few people whom  he knew. Not many people knew him. Whosoever he was acquainted to, knew him as the old teacher's  kid. His duties always remained unnoticed. He neither publicised nor ever he repented. As he was strolling across the stall's he noticed a miscreant pull out the grenade pin and throw it towards the crowd. He had no time to decide. His decision was to be taken in an impulse. He gave no other thoughts and jumped above the grenade covering the grenade with his chest. The grenade burst pushing splinters across the young boys chest and tearing apart his muscles from the bones. It took no time for the soul to leave his torn body. He died minimising the impact with least casualties. The crowd enquired to the panel of old and known men from the villages about the whereabouts of the brave boy and they found out that he was the old teacher's son. Soon as the old teacher arrived weeping to see his sons corpse, the old folk pointed towards the teacher and said, "There comes the  brave-heart's father."

The father wept at the young son's death. The crowd cheered the bravery. A hero left the world saving it. They mourned his death only to forget him just after a few months, precisely after weeks.