First Raj of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Banda Singh Bahadur - Softcover

Dhillon, Harish

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9388302478 ISBN 13: 9789388302470

Publisher: Hay House Publishers India Private Limited, 2024

Synopsis

Banda Singh Bahadur appeared in Sikh history for a relatively short period (1708-1716) but, after the Sikh gurus, influenced it more significantly than any other individual

Banda Singh Bahadur is among the most colourful and fascinating characters in Sikh history. From an ascetic he was transformed into Guru Gobind Singh's most trusted disciple. So much so that when the seriously injured guru could not lead his Sikh army against the Mughal forces, he appointed Banda Singh Bahadur as his deputy. As proof of this appointment he gave Banda his sword, a mighty bow, arrows from his own quiver, his battle standard and his war drum.

Banda rode out from Nanded (where Guru Gobind Singh passed away; now in Maharashtra) at the head of a small band of Sikhs, which, by the time it reached the Punjab, had grown into a formidable army. Over the next few years his exploits against the Mughal rulers, both in pitched battles and in skirmishes, became the stuff of legends. He became the first of many legendary Sikh generals, famous both for their personal heroic courage and their skill in warfare. His many encounters with the Mughal rulers eroded the very foundation of the Mughal empire and ensured its quick demise. As he said when questioned on what he had achieved: 'I have ensured that never again will the crown sit easily on the Mughal emperor's head.' He also prepared the coming generations of Sikhs for future conflicts, which later greatly helped Maharaja Ranjit Singh in creating a Sikh empire.

Banda was a true leader who led from the front, not only in the battlefield but also in civil administration. He established a secular government which swept aside 700 years of slavery and the myth of domination by foreign powers, proclaimed freedom of worship, allowed the people to follow professions of their choice and stopped forcible marriages even while recovering abducted women for return to their families. His land revolution abolished zamindari in parts of North India, thereby redistributing land equally amongst the tillers.

This book seeks to tell the story of this remarkable and brave man and his equally remarkable achievements. Perhaps, the finest of Banda Singh Bahadur's biographies.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Harish Dhillon was the author of sixteen books, including The Sikh Gurus, First Raj of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Banda Singh Bahadur and Love Stories from Punjab. He had also written numerous articles and short stories. Starting his career at Lucknow University, Dr Dhillon moved to Lawrence School in Sanawar (Himachal Pradesh) as its principal and then on to the two Yadavindra Public Schools at Patiala and Mohali (both in Punjab). He taught English for forty-seven years. After his retirement, he was editorial consultant to The Tribune and also acted as the advisor to the Board of Governors at the two Yadavindra Public Schools. He received an award from Punjabi University in Patiala in 2015 for his contribution to Punjabi culture and literature.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hay House Publishers India Private Limited
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9388302478
• ISBN 13: 9789388302470
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 334