Salute to Punjab

When Mughal ruled India and converted Hindus to Islam, one and only one Punjab stood against them and Guru Teg Bahadur Ji ( 9th Guru & father of Guru Gobind Singh Ji ) laid down his life at Chandni Chowk in Delhi.

Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed all his four sons of the age of 7,9,14 & 17 years against the conversion to Islam. His two elder sons (Sahibzade) sacrificed their lives in the war against Mughals at Chamkaur Sahib(Pb) & younger two sons (Sahibzade) were bricked alive at Sirhind (Pb) by the Mughal ruler of that State.

Even when Sikander conquered all, only King Porus of Punjab dared to stop him.

We salute to the river land – Punjab.

Today is Death Anniversary of one of the greatest emperors in Indian history, Sher-E-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Blinded in one eye, injured in one arm, yet he built up the great Sikh empire.

United the disparate Sikhs into a kingdom and built an empire that covered Punjab, Kashmir, Ladakh, and the entire North West.

Served by able men like Hari Singh Nalwa, Dewan Mokam Chand, Veer Singh Dhillon, Zorawar Singh.

Also built a modern army, even recruited European officers to bring in the latest techniques of warfare. That’s why British Rulers couldn’t annex Punjab until he was alive. Because of him, Punjab was the last State which came under British rule in 1849.

But alas no one teaches about his legacy in India.

Because of him, Punjab was the most literate state at that time. Even though he recruited European officers he ensured they followed a strict code of conduct, no beef, no smoking, and no alcohol.

As a matter of fact, Ranjit Singh banned cow slaughter in his empire.

A devout Sikh, who never differentiated on religion. Both his court and army had an equal number of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims – a true secular king.

His finance minister was a Hindu Brahmin, his Prime Minister was a Dogra, his foreign minister a Muslim.
He also renovated the Golden Temple, gave it the gold plates, and gave an equal amount of gold to then Hindus and Muslims too, for the renovation of their shrines and temples.

Built Gurudwaras at Patna and Nanded, in honor of Guru Gobind Singh, both of which are considered among the Panch Takth.

A great warrior, an equally able and wise ruler, a truly great human being too.

Ranjit Singh is the only king in the history of the world to have conquered Afghans, which even modern militaries of USA and Russia couldn’t achieve, and eventually blocked entry of Mughals.

A humble tribute to this great emperor on his Death Anniversary. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

This beautiful story curated from the web.