Great Sikh Women Dastar

Bibi Deep Kaur

A contingent of Turkish soldiers is on active patrol. The area rulers have specifically assigned this contingent to keep a watch over the Sikh jatha that had gathered in Majha and would surely proceed to Anandpur Sahib for participating Dashmesh father's (Guru Gobind Singh) Dharam Yudh. Additional responsibilities assigned to this contingent included, instilling fear among people who either express sympathy with the Sikh jatha or welcome it or serve it any way. For this reason, the Turkish contingent always moved ahead of the Sikh Jatha.

Three miles from the road leading to Anandpur Sahib in Hoshiarpur District, is a village, named Talban. Bibi Deep Kaur, the subject of our story, was resident of this village. There was only one Sikh house in this village -- Bibi Deep Kaur's residence. Today her husband wasn't home. He had already left for participating in Dashmesh father's Dharam Yudh. When Bibi heard of Jatha's arrival. She was filled with emotions of self-service. She explained her emotions and desire to other women in her neighborhood. But the Turkish soldiers had successfully frightened the residence of this village. Thus no one was willing to accompany her.

"Let them not proceed, if someone doesn't want to" Deep Kaur told herself. For how could one stay behind if they have even the slightest love for the Guru in their heart. Holding onto the quest of love and a glimpse of the Sikh Jatha, Deep Kaur proceeded alone and awaited the arrival of Sant-Sipahis.
Suddenly dust arose from afar. Her face brightened with joy. Her quest for Jatha's sight grew stronger. Now she started walking on the road toward the rising dust storm. Soon she realized that this was not the Jatha of Sant- Sipahis. Rather it was the contingent of evil Turkish soldiers. Surprised, she quickly moved off the road and tried to hide herself by sitting next to a tree.
As the Turkish contingent got closer, it's commander caught sight of Deep Kaur. Seeing the youthful beauty, he lost all self-control.

He commandingly asked. "Who are you?"
"Whoever I am. How does it matter to you?" She answered fearlessly.
Commander's attraction grew stronger with her challenge.
He remarked softly, "By Shehansha's (ruler's) orders, I have been deputed to keep a watch on Sikhs in this area. Since the Sikh Jatha is heading this way, I need to ascertain whether you are a Sikh."
"If I were to be a Sikh, then?"
"Then we will have to arrest and sent you to Lahore." Deep Kaur heard his response.
But, being a Sikh how could she lie. Fearlessly, she announced, "I am Sikh."
The Turk Commander was astonished by her fearlessness. But as captive of her beauty, by now, he was aroused beyond any self-control. He spoke softly and said, "Beautiful, I am responsible for capturing Sikhs. You are a Sikh. I should arrest you, but I cannot do that. I cannot fulfil my responsibilities. For I have a heart that worships beauty and it is your's now. I am your captive."
Deep Kaur's face reddened with anger. She lashed out saying, "You should be ashamed of yourself talking to me like this."

"What is there to be ashamed of where hearts have met? I am your. Accept me and I shall keep you as my Begum (wife)." He said.
"I am a Sikh and married. If you ever uttered anything like this again I will snatch your tongue." Deep Kaur responded. By now she was shaking with anger.
"What kind of a beauty it would be that doesn't exhibit enticing or alluring behavior. I am impressed by your behavior. Now don't delay anymore and let's go. What are you going to get from these wild Sikhs." Saying this the commander dismounted from his horse and moved towards Deep Kaur while his contingent waited on the opposite side of the road.
As he dismounted, Deep Kaur stood up. Seeing him approach her, she challengingly said "Beware, if you touch my body I will not spare you."

Insane under arousal, the commander ignored her warning and instead proceeded to hug her. Deep Kaur pulled back with lightening speed. By now she had the small kirpan in her hand. As the commander approached, struck him in his stomach with the kirpan. A blood spring burst opened. With painful cries, he simply dropped to the ground.
By now Deshmesh's daughter had jumped into the war. As the wounded Commander sat on the ground, she viciously attacked him once again, sending his evil soul to burn in hell. Before, the Turkish soldiers could advance, she moved swiftly to take control of the commander's sword and was well-prepared for self-defense. Seeing their dying commander, the soldiers advanced shaking in anger and simultaneously attacked her.

However, the Deshmesh's daughter wasn't scared being out-numbered. Like a lioness, she stood fast for the challenge. She used the sword like a man and soon two soldiers fell to the ground while several others were severely wounded. Deep Kaur too sustained deep wounds on her face and neck. Although her wounds were profusely bleeding, she kept her courage and continued fighting like a man. Today, Turkish soldiers were challenged by a woman.
Far on the road, the sound of horses could be heard once again. This time the Sant-Sipahi's Jatha was approaching. As the Turkish soldiers saw the Sikh Jatha, they got scared, immediately mounted their horses and ran for their lives. The bodies of the Commander and five of his associates were left behind, lying cold on the ground.

The sight of approaching Sikh brothers filled Deep Kaur filled with joy. She quickly tried to move towards the road but couldn't. She had lost too much blood and thus was unable to walk. She simply fell unconscious to the ground. Sikh Jatha saw unconscious Deep Kaur and 6 dead bodies of Turkish soldier, upon reaching the location. It did not take them long to comprehend the situation.
Immediately, they spread a bed for Dashmesh's daughter, dressed her wounds and awaken her with medication. Then carrying her along, the Jatha proceeded to Anandpur Sahib for participating in the Dashmesh father's Dharam Yudh.
Fully aware of the situation, our Dashmesh father Guru Gobind Singh Ji was strolling outside his court awaiting the arrival of this Jatha. Seeing them arrive, he joyfully advanced to receive them and asked "Where is my daughter?"

Jatha members were confused. They did not understand the meaning of this question, since there were many Sikh women among the Jatha. Who did Guru Sahib honor with daughter's address? They could not understand.
In the meantime, Guru Sahib quickly moved towards the palki (palanquin) carrying the wounded Deep Kaur. Raising the palki curtain, he hugged and kissed her forehead, saying "This is my daughter Deep Kaur. Because of such daughter my Panth shall remain in Chardi Kala.


Sardarni Dharam Kaur

Rulers have to engage in various deceitful activities to strengthen their power base. To avoid embarrassment, such activities are commonly referred to as politics. Politics is simply a convenient acronym for deceitful activities. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh took control of the city of Lahore, he too used such tactics to bring all neighboring rulers, big and small, under his control. He used every conceivable means to successfully accomplish his vision. The Bhangi and Ramgariha Sardars (Rulers) were his strongest opposition. Ranjit Singh wanted to badly crush them and soon. The opposition leader, Sahib Singh Bhangi, was ruling Gujarat at the time.

Sardar Dal Singh was the ruler of Akalgadh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s father, Sardar Maha Singh, had conquered Akalgadh and established Sardar Dal Singh as its ruler. However, now Sardar Dal Singh was making overtures of self-independence. He even participated in opposition against Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The validity and correctness of his stance can not be justified, but it served as a reason enough for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s decision to establish control over the region.

However, Maharaja Ranjit Singh could not pick up enough courage to attack Sardar Dal Singh. He was afraid that Sardar Dal Singh would seek assistance from the opposition leaders, thus making his task even more difficult. Therefore, he sought the diplomatic route and initiated a web of deceit and deception. Sardar Dal Singh was sent an invitation, stating, "Dear friend, please come to Lahore. I need to discuss some important issues with you." Sardar Dal Singh reached Lahore based on this invitation, but Maharaja Ranjit Singh had something else in mind for him. Sardar Dal Singh was detained in Lahore fort while Maharaja himself left with a heavy force to conquer Akalgadh.
With Sardar Dal Singh neutralized, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was now sure that no one will oppose him and that he will be able to move into the city with open doors. He was very happy with his deceitful tactic and confident of his success. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh left Lahore for Akalgadh, he thought that the citizens of Akalgadh would come out in large numbers to welcome him. Indeed, he was welcomed but not with flowers and garlands but with cannon fire. This welcome spoiled his whole scheme and caused him serious anguish.
When Sardar Dal Singh’s young spouse, Sardarni Dharam Kaur, learned of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s deceitful tactics resulting in imprisonment of her husband and his moves to capture the city, she was filled with anger. She immediately decided to protect her independence and honor at any cost. As the attacking forces edged closer to town, she closed the doors of Akalgadh fort and started pounding them with cannon fire. Maharaja sent a demanding message, saying, "empty the fort, else your husband’s life will not be spared."
Sardarni Dharam Kaur responded "You are deceitful. Why should I listen to you, my husband listened to you and you imprisoned him! I will avenge my husband’s dishonor even if this means both of us die."

Maharaja was quite shaken by this response. What could he do? He put the Akalgadh fort under seize. Several months passed by, but the fort couldn’t be captured. Sardarni Dharam Kaur was fighting bravely. From time to time, she would come out of the fort with a few brave soldiers for surprise attacks. Causing serious casualties among the royal forces they would disappear back into the fort with lightening speed. Her surprise attacks were causing havoc among the royal forces.

It was nighfall and Maharaja was reviewing the battle status with his Generals (Sardars) : Sardar Hari Singh Naluya, Sardar Nihal Singh Attariwalla and a few others. They had attacked Akalgadh expecting no resistance and instead it had turned into a long seize. Sardarni Dharam Kaur’s frequent surprise attacks were forcing him to abandon the seize. They desperately wanted to abandon the seize but now the seize did not want to abandon them. Additionally, they would lose the respect of Lahore if they returned empty handed.
Suddenly, there was there was the sound of fighting outside. Sardarni Dharam Kaur had thrown another surprise attack. She was heading towards the Maharaja’s tent and was killing many soldiers along the way. The Maharaja and the Sardars quickly drew their weapons and raced outside. Sardarni Dharam Kaur looked down at them from horseback, with a blood-red sword raised in her hand she looked straight into the Maharajas eyes - "It’s time to talk Ranjit Singh!"
"Ranjit Singh, you deceitfully arrested my husband, thinking no one else would challenge you. You made a grave mistake. I have been blessed with same ‘khanda-batta-da-amrit’ of Guru Gobind Singh Jee that you have. Each Khalsa values independence and honor. So you have no right to steal it from us. Abandon the seize and leave by tomorrow, otherwise you will find yourself in a major war."
The Sardars stepped forward and attempted to arrest her but pulling their horses around Sardarni Dharam Kaur and her soldiers easily escaped through the Maharaja’s royal forces as a knife cuts through butter. The Maharaja slowly uttered these words to his Sardars : "there is no hope of capturing this fort when it is protected by such a brave woman."

Early next morning, one of the Maharaja’s Sardars came rushing into the royal tent. He reported,’ Sardarni Dharam Kaur’s troops have begun intense fighting. We also have news that Sahib Singh Bhangi and Jodh Singh Vajiraba are heading towards us with large armies.’

Maharaja had never dreamt that a woman could do all this. Now, Sardarni Dharam Kaur’s threat of last night had some significant weight attached. Maharaja gave orders for immediate abandonment of the seize and quickly left for Lahore. He immediately released Sardar Dal Singh saying, "My dear friend, no worldly power can subjugate a man whose wife is so brave, intelligent, and diplomatic."

Sardarni Dharam Kaur’s bravery, courage, intelligence and political manoevures remain exemplary in Sikh history. It boldly announces to the world that the brave daughters of Guru Gobind Singh Jee are capable leaders.


Bibi Harnam Kaur ji

Bibi Harnam Kaur ji were a pioneer in the field of women's education, was born on 10 April 1882 in a Siddhu Jatt family of Chand Purana, a village in Firozpur district of the Punjab. Here original name was Jiuni Bhagvan Das. Her father's name was Bhagvan Das and mother's Ram Dei. Bhagvan Das was a religious minded person, had become a disciple of an Udasi sadhu, Ram Das, of Firozpur, after whose death he became the head of his dera or seminary. Here Jiuni and her mother joined him when the former was only an infant. She was a precocious child and had read Panj Granths, Dasam Granth and Hanuman Natak before she was six years of age. She then joined the local Arya Pathshala and learnt Hindi, but left off after six months because tlae Pathshala had no facilities to teach Gurmukhi. Later she was sent to the village of Daudhar, now in Faridkot district, where she studied for several years under Bhai Dula Singh. Meanwhile, Bhal Takht Singh, who had started a Gurmukhi school at Firozpur under the auspices of the local Singh Sabha, offered to open a school exclusively for girls.

The Singh Sabha welcomed the proposal but was reluctant to let it be run by a bachelor. To overcome the difficulty, Jiuni's parents promised Takht Singh the hand of their daughter- The Kanya Pathshala, lit girls' school, was opened in Firozpur on 5 November l902, and Jiuni joined it both to learn and to teach as an employee of the Singh Sabha. Her betrothal to Takht Singh took place on 11 October 1893 and they were married on 8 May 1894. She received the new name of Harnam Kaur when she was administred on 15 July 1901 pahul or the rites of the Khalsa.

The couple threw themselves and their heart and soul into their work . Harnam Kaur's monthly salary was Rs 6 and her husband's Rs 8. On 1 September 1900, tired of internal dissensions in the managemaent of the Singh Sabha, they quit service, but continued to teach privately. Early in 1903, Bibi Harnam Kaur persuaded her husband to open a boarding school for girls at Firozpur. A number of parents offered to send their daughter's to the boarding school which was named Sikh Kanya Maha Vidyala and which started functioning from March 1905. Harnam Kaur worked hard to make the Vidyala success. In addition to helping her husband at teaching, she looked after catering and lodging arrangements for their wards . She had also set up Istri Satsang, a women's religious society, which held meetings in the afternoon of every Wednesday, and a parcharak jatha or missionary group. But she did not live long to serve the cause to which she had dedicated herself, and died on 1 October 1906.

from the Punjabi book "Adarshak Singhnia"

The Sikh women always have been and will be the backbone of their community. Their selflessness lies second to none in the world.The life story of Bibi Harnam Kaur , a selfless pioneer in the field of female education, is one shining example. She was born to Bhai Bhawan Das and Bibi Ram Dei in a village in the Ferozepur district of the Punjab state. Her original name was Jiuni. Her father was a religious minded person who became the head of a seminary after the death of his religious leader, Sadhu Ram Das. She was mature in childhood and by the age of six, she had read many religious books like Punj Granthi. She studied Punjabi from a priest in a Gurdwara. Bhai Takhat Singh, a devoted selfless worker in the field of education, had started a Gurmukhi School for boys under the Singh Sabha (Sikh Society). In Ferozpur city in 1882. He offered to open a school exclusively for girls. The Singh Sabha liked the idea, but was hesitant to let it be run only by a bachelor. To overcome this difficulty, Juini’s parents were approached to allow their daughter to help Takhat Singh for running the girl School. They agreed and the school was started in 1892. Bhai Takhat Singh was the manager and the Bibi was the only teacher. Neither of them was paid more than eight rupees per month. She was engaged to Bhai Takhat Singh in 1893 and married the next year. She was baptized in 1901 and named Harnam Kaur. The couple worked whole- heartedly, but due to intolerable and undue interference of the management community which was suffering from internal dissensions, they quit service in 1900, and continued to teach privately. Now the couple wanted to start a Chief Sikh Girls school (The Sikh Kanya Mahavidyala), but financial problems surrounded them. They did not lose heart, sold their ornaments and unnecessary articles, and started the school with determination and faith in God in 1901. It was a name- sake of a school run by a couple in a thatched dripping house with only 3 students on its rolls. The following year teaching of English was also started.

Bibi Harnam Kaur persuaded her husband to open a boarding house for girls. They had to take loan to purchase land to build the boarding house which started in 1904. This facility was rarely available in those days. Parents from far and wide got their daughters admitted in the school. The school did not charge any tuition fee. It also did not receive any grant from the state as many conditions were attached with the financial help. Girls belonging to poor families and widows were given free boarding and lodging. It was run on donations collected from well to do Sikh families. The school was treated as important as the Khalsa College, Amritsar which also started up to 8th grade at the same time. Bibi Harnam Kaur worked as superintendent of the boarding house and along with her husband lived there. The boarding house was run on family lines and she treated the boarders like sisters and served them like mothers. It is said she washed the feet of girls with warm water when needed. She also gave head baths to the young girls and washed their clothes also. Boarders did not want to go to their homes even during vacation. According to Bibi Harnam Kaur, founder of the school, the aim of the school was that an educated girl should prove of the greatest use to her house, she should be religious and chaste, devoted to the service of her husband and children, a perfect mother and a virtuous wife. Simplicity is a virtue she should love. She should be a useful member of

the society. Religious education and singing of sacred hymns with the help of musical instruments was a daily feature of the school. Needle work and embroidery were also included in the school syllabus. In 1909 this school stood first in the all India exhibition of embroidery held at Lahore. Due to the devotion and sincere efforts of the couple, the school progressed by leaps and bounds. The earliest authentic report about the progress of the school was written by the following: two well-known personalities of the state. In 1915 the Lt. Governor of Punjab visited the school and remarked “I’m happy to note that the school has also a department for training the lady teachers. I congratulate the founders of this institution and the Sikh community on the wonderful and unique success of the institution.” In the same year, S. Sardul Singh Caveesher, a prominent Sikh leader, visited the school and wrote “It was indeed very unfortunate that I did not come earlier to this place. I was at my wit’s and to decide whom to admire most, the worker or the work” According to him, the strength of the school at that time was 312 and 210 of them were boarders. The school was successfully preparing the students for High and Proficiency in Punjabi classes of the Punjab University. There was a competent staff of 45 persons belonging to both the sexes. The property of the institution was worth about two hundred thousand rupees. The school started publishing a monthly magazine, Punjabi Bahen (Sister) to propagate the female education. The school had a good library which was started as early as 1901 in memory of Bhai Dita Singh. Bibi Harnam Kaur had also started, Istri Satsang, a women’s religious society, which held meetings every Wednesday.

It was really a wonderful development if we keep in view the period, about 100 years ago, when people did not like to send girls outside their homes. In those days education for girls was mostly carried out at home and it was described as domestic education. At some places priests in Gurdwaras taught only to read and write in Gurmukhi. Mostly girls were assigned the job of making dung cakes, cooking, spinning, cleaning utensils, plastering walls, taking food to the fields and picking cotton pods. Early marriage was prevalent. This was all possible due to the untiring efforts of Bibi Harnam Kaur whose only ambition in life was to serve the people to the best of her ability. Motto of the couple was:- The food should not fall short The guest should not turn back. The wealth should not amass. The business should not slack. She was an ordinary woman of middle height and very simply dressed. The only sign of superiority lay in her firm gait, and in her ambition to raise the status of women. Her main stay was her faith in God and her sole aim was to work honestly for female education, and she enjoyed this noble work. She was dedicated to the Goddess of education. She was all humility, courtesy, painstaking, preserving, and selfless. She possessed a deep insight in the character of girls. Her face was expressive of energy and determination. She was a personification of motherly love and service, and a model of simplicity. A true incident from her life as given below will prove it. Some village folk entrusted to her a baby girl. She had at that time a child of her own on the breast. On the arrival of the starved baby, the kind Bibi brought it up

on her own milk and trusted her own baby to the milk from the market. S. Sardul Singh Caveeshar met this girl who stood weeping before the photo of the Bibi. She(the girl) told him her life story. Bibi Harnam Kaur passed away in the prime of hr life in 1907. Her solid and unprecedented work of far reaching consequences was continued by her life partner and co-founder of the institution Bhai Takht Singh who remarried Bibi Agya Kaur . She was also devoted to the cause of female education. Bhai Takhat Singh on whom the community conferred the title of’Living Martyr’ also left this world in 1937, but the institution is still one of the best private schools in the state. His daughter Mrs. G. Parmpal Singh, a student of this school, headed the Punjab Education Department and retired about thirty year ago. Although Bibi Harnam Kaur did not live her full life. she left a permanent monument in the shape of’Chief Sikh Girls School, Ferozepur City, due to which she will be remembered for ever. She helped to raise the status of women and tried to emancipate them from the old shackles and prejudices. She really tried to make our homes a heaven. She and her husband deserve to be called the architect of our community. They proved how devoted persons can work wonders with meager resources and unfavorable circumstances. It is due to her efforts that the Sikhs are ranking high among the Indian communities as far as the percentage among them of the educated women is concerned.