My Era Author: Dr.K.S.Kang

 

                                                                                 My Era            Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

First of all to begin with let me make it clear that I am not an animate being but I facilitate the animate beings to unite with their friends, well wishers, and relatives by taking my owners to different places. Yes, you have guessed right I am an inanimate being, a motor car, a four wheel vehicle to be specific that came into existence at some point of time in 2004 after passing through a number of procedures and processes and after a number of mechanics who first of all made a number of holes in my moulded steel body and then fitted various dials, metres and switches so as to make life of my owner pleasant, easy and comfortable. I am Zen 2004 model car created by Maruti- Suzuki plant at a place known as Manesar, near the national capital, which is making history in contemporary times situated of medieval town which is known for giving stiff resistance to Mughals by refusing to accept their overlordship and decided to retain independence. I was destined to travel to another historical town by road in a covered trailer specially made to carry cars. After travelling for hundreds of kilometres I reached my destination and was placed in the new, shining,spotlessly clean showroom of the town. At the showroom I found myself along with a number of brightly shining new cars of different models, waiting for their buyers who will come and take them to their homes. I was fortunate to find a buyer within a few days of my arrival in the showroom. My buyer was a college teacher and his father, who was a retired school teacher brought me to my new home on the auspicious day of Dhanteras. I was accorded traditional welcome my new home by the family members, who lined up and threw rose petals on me as I entered his house and driver applied breaks to halt me before his house. I was parked inside the house with regard unlike most of the other vehicles who remained parked outside the houses. After a few rooms a special exclusive room with huge iron gates , popularly known as garage, was built for me. I was overjoyed to know that not only by young owner but even the young lady, his wife, has also learnt driving. I was equally joyful to take old couple- my owner’s parents- around the town and even to the state capital to unite them with their friends, relatives and well wishers around the town as well as to state capital where daughter of old couple resided. Since my owners had learnt driving on an old Maruti 800 vehicles, so they treated me with care and regard. Most of the time I remained parked in my cosy, comfortable garage and like other vehicles I did not had to bear the brunt of weather like scorching sunlight, and rains. I used to take my owners to a number of religious and historical places situated around the town.

As it is said that ‘ a smooth sea never makes a good sailor’, so my life was also not totally free from trepidations and turbulences. Besides a few scratches made on by body by innocent children that I ignored as love pangs, my first major injury was I brushed aside a standing auto rickshaw that damaged by left mudguard and it was slightly dented. As the insurance was still on, so I was taken to the workshop of the company where a new mudguard was replaced though it took seven days for it to come from the manufacturer but it was of matching colour and shade, so I came out of the workshop new and shining again, ready to serve my masters. As relatives of my owners lived at various places of the state, so I used to take them to various places frequently. I had second injury while coming from the town where one of the sons of my masters had gone to study. While returning a sheep suddenly came in front of me and the person driving the car had a catnap and the sheep was thrown off by the collision and it died at the spot, and again my mudguard was affected but this time it was of right wheel. I was taken to the nearest workshop of the company where after submitting various documents like insurance policy, driving license and registration. After a few day I again emerged from the workshop new and shining and ready to serve my owners.

Now my owner had gained confidence as his driving improved to quite an extent and he started driving almost regularly. My major injury took place as we were moving to the State Capital along with my owner, his elder son and his wife. Road was quite fine as it was a four lane highway with a divider in the middle. Traffic was also not much that day and we were sailing smoothly at eighty kilometres per hour. Suddenly a cow, which was grazing green plants on the divider, jumped and came before the car damaging bonut and front glass shattered but it did not break, as it was stone proof glass. Though cow was thrown a few feet away but it was not lethally injured. Instead of turning back we continued the journey and reached the destination. Again relevant documents were submitted and I was taken to the workshop of the city and after a few days re emerged new and shining ready to serve my master and his family.

As I was getting old, I was put frequently outside the house, instead of in the garage that my owner had turned into his working office. Secondly he found it difficult to take me out of the narrow gate especially in reverse gear. I had the honour of leaving and receiving the elder son of my owner to and from the railway station whenever he came from abroad. I had the sad experience of giving final adieu to my owner’s parents who passed away within the gap of five months. It was a gloomy time for me also as I had to see their funeral whom I had carried to diverse places in and around the town. After returning back from foreign he got teaching job in a private university situated near the national capital. Meanwhile my master brought a new car which was of the same make but of different model. It was Maruti Suzuki Dzire which was blue in colour. My master had nicknamed me as Fairy Queen and the new car as Blue Diamond. One day my master took me to the place where his elder son was working and handed me over to him. I served him for a couple of years taking him from his residence to the university campus and back.

I had never given trouble to my masters except one day when my battery went dead, but that too happened before a reputed battery shop, so a new battery was instantly purchased and put up. Another major trouble came when my tyre punctured twice when my master took me to a place nearly 30 kms away from his hometown. Once spare wheel was put but it again punctured as a result of which my master carried me on the three tyres as a result the fibre wires of the punctured tyre came and stopped in front of the tyre shop. As tyre was irreparable so a new tyre was purchased and installed. Another major mishap came when my tyre blasted while my owner’s family was going on a long journey, taken in emergency, to the neighbouring state. So again new tyre was purchased and replaced. Once my master could not see pothole as it was covered with water during rains as a result of which rear wheel jumped in it causing a break in silencer giving rise to weird thundering loud noise. I was taken to the workshop and repaired promptly.

Meanwhile my owner’s son had bought a new car Hyundai’s Venue and I was shifted to state capital to serve another young couple who were related to my owner’s wife. I was pleased to serve them on their rides ‘being too happy in their happiness’. But they also after using me for a couple of years bought a new Alcazar Car of Hyundai. So now I had to remain idle for most of the time. One day my master decided to dispose me off by giving me to Tata Rewire in scrap. Just a day before my last day of existence my master came, opened the front gate, sat on the driving seat and held my steering wheel fondly for some time. That was perhaps my last sweet memory. Next day I was taken by a driver to the workshop where I knew I will be reduced to the elements, ‘iron to iron, and plastic to plastic’. I am content as I have served my master, his family, friends, relatives and well wishers with total honesty, devotion, sincerity and dedication. Fare thee well my owner, fare thee well human world and humanity.

Punjab, Delhi Sojourn Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

 

Punjab, Delhi Sojourn

Author Dr. K.S. Kang

My Punjab sojourn this year was an assorted mix of visit to religious places particularly to the shrines of Sufi saints and martyrs associated with Indian Independence Movement and a few of military heroes related to pre- independent and post- independent India. After reaching Punjab after celebrating the festival of Holi the first shrine that I visited was in the village of Chauki Mann belonged to Sufi Saint Lakh Datar Pir. This is the village where my wife’s mother spent her childhood. Sufism has been defined variously as Islamic mysticism- the mystical expression of Islamic faith, the inward dimension of Islam. It had several stages of growth including appearance of early asceticism, the development of a classical mysticism of divine love and the rise and the rise and proliferation of fraternal orders of mystics. In India Sufis largely contributed to shaping muslim society. Later some of the Sufis in India were brought closer to Hindu mysticism by an overemphasis on the ideal of divine unity that almost became monism- a religio- philosophic perspective according to which there is only one fuse reality, and the distinction between God and the world- humanity tends to disappear. The syncretistic attempts of Mughal Emperor Akbar to combine diverse faiths and practice and the religious discourses of Prince Dara Shikoh were objectionable the orthodox Islam. Even the whole of Indian Punjab is dotted with religious shrines or Khankas and Mazars of these Sufi Saints, though ironically after partition the management of these shrines have come in the hands of Hindu Banias and Jat Sikhs, as most of the muslims inhabiting Punjab, except in Malerkotla, have migrated to Pakistan. So in the absence of Muslims the management of these shrines have been taken of local populace consisting of Hindus and Sikhs. This sacred occasion also became a point of trading good and commodities among the people of the villages of surrounding areas and it also had entertainment value both for the people of the village and the surrounding areas as a musical concert of folk songs was going on from dawn to dusk in the farm donated by the resident of this village. There were several eateries in the fair, that were attracting the people and children were attracted to towards the gaming zone where a tarpaulin was stretched on which children jumped. More people had gathered at the musical concert than at the Sanctum- Sanctora of the Sufi saint in whose memory this fair was being held.

After a couple of days we went to my native town Dharamkot- a tehsil of Moga district. Here also I went to pay my regards on the Dargah of a Sufi saint Abdulleh Shah, who is considered as presiding deity of our ancestors. It was a dargah of a Muslim Sufi saint, who lived here during 17-18^th century and this place is known for promoting harmony among the Hindus, Muslims and the Sikhs of the area. Interestingly just by the side of main shrine there are two graves that belonged to a muslim couple who served this saint throughout their lives and it is said that they passed away on the same day as their bodies were found dead in the room, so they were buried in the same grave together. There is annual fair here also held in the memory of this great saint in the month of June. Before coming to Dharamkot we stayed for a couple of hours at Moga to buy a few Punjabi novels and short stories and gift for our great grand son, who was three years old but could make sounds only of seven months old child. He was born in England, and as his parents were busy in doing job so the were unable to pay attention to him as a result of which his vocal chord could not develop properly and he could only make sounds of animation movies on You Tube that he watched on the mobile phone during his parent’s absence. So besides buying books of Punjabi novels of Sardar Sohan Singh Seetal we also bought a talking cat toy for this child. The first reaction of this child at seeing this toy was that he giggled a lot as cat copied his sounds and threw back those sounds at him. We also visited another shrine of Muslim Sufi saint Lakh Datar near Baghapurana to resolve the issue of this child. To pay respect on this shrine we went by a hired cab and reached there in 45 minutes despite getting stuck in traffic jam near Bahgapurana. This shrine is associated with Baba Buddhu Shah, who earned his livelihood as a farmhand. As he was blind so the job that he was given at the farm was to drive away the beasts and birds that destroyed the crops, so whenever he heard any voice of cattle or bird he used to drive it away making the sound ‘hurr’. One day Lakh Data Pir visited this place and asked Buddhu Shah the way to a village named Sardaran Wali Mansa. Buddhu Shah replied that as he is blind so he cannot tell the way. Lakh Datar Peer asked him to stand and point towards the direction of the village. A miracle happened and Buddhu Shah got vision and not only that he could even see the village Sardaran Wali Mansa. Seeing Lakh Datar Peer standing near him with his Kaki mare he fell at his feet. Peer blessed Buddhu Shad and asked him to carry on worship at this place in the village Langian nearly 3 kms away from the town of Baghapurana. After that I decided to participate in one of the age old custom of my ancestors and that was to distribute the ‘Rot’ which was a large flat bread, earlier it was roasted on the coal fire and the dung cake fire. And before that the dough of floor with jaggery and perhaps honey also was kneaded with young healthy man with their clean and washed feet. But as technology has come, so now this large bread is baked like a cake in the oven and it is cut into pieces ready to be distributed among the people. Perhaps it was for the first time that I followed this pious tradition of my ancestors.

After a few days of return from Dharamkot I decided to visit the international border with Pakistan near Husseiniwala in Ferozepur district along with my wife and my brother-in-law who kindly agreed to take us in his car. In fact we had made a circuit of nearly 200 kilometres so that we can meet our other relatives too like by father’s sister family and my mother’s brother family. In the morning after breakfast we set on this journey and reached our destination after a couple of hours drive. At Husseiniwala, which is nearly 10 kms away from the town of Ferozepur is famous for the memorials of great martyrs of Indian Freedom Movement- Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev who were cremated here after they were put on gallows at Central Prison Lahore and Prerna Sthal or Motivation Point by Indian army in honour of the soldiers who have laid down their lives while protecting their motherland in different operations. Plaques were put on pillars commemoration various battles that took place here and in the surrounding areas after independence. The first plaque was about a conflict that took place in 1956. Heavy floods in this year damaged a portion of Bela Bund Husseiniwala Headworks. Indian engineers involved in the repair work were threatened by Pakistani soldiers. At that time 4 JAK Rifles, commanded by Lt. Col Vakil Singh, was guarding the Husseiniwala Headworks Bela. Bund was guarded by B and C companies under Captain Hoshnak Singh and Capt. Ajeet Singh respectively. The Battalion intervened and provided protection to ongoing repair work. By evening that is 2100 hrs, Pakistanis launched an unprovoked attack on on the Bund with an infantry Brigade, a Squadron of Tanks, and an Artillery Battery. The foe was met with a devastating fire by the troops of 4 JAK Rifles that broke the assault. After repeated attempts and with advantage of an overwhelming force the enemy succeeded in getting a foothold in B company locality. A platoon of B Coy boldly launched a counter attack led by Naik Mukhtiar Singh and routed the enemy in fierce hand to hand combat. The determination and fierceness of the Indian troops force Pakistani soldiers to carry out a hasty withdrawal even leaving behind their fallen comrades. The enemy suffered heavy casualties with 53 killed and over 200 wounded. In this operation Naik Baldev Singh, Sepoy Surjan Singh, Sepoy Fakir Singh and Sepoy Dharam Singh were martyred. The highest peace time award Ashok Chakra was awarded to Lance Naik Sunder Singh and Sepoy Dhani Ram and Shaurya Chakra was given to Hav, Sewa Singh, and Sepoy Janak Singh and Kirti Chakra was given to Naik Mukhtiar Singh while Sena Medal was given to Lt. Col Vakil Singh, Maj. Kant Prakash, Sub. Parshottam Singh and Sepoy Pritam Singh. There is another plaque with the map of the area commemorating the sacrifice of Lance Naik (Hony. Capt.) Sunder Singh and all martyrs of 4 JAK Rif for selfless sacrifice in 1956 operation at Husseiniwala that continues to inspire generations today.

The second plaque commemorates Battle of 1965 with Pakistan. In this war soldiers of 2 Maratha LI, was given task to defend Husseiniwala enclave and prevent the capture of Samadhi of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev along with the Husseiniwala Head Works. On 6^th September 1965, Pakistani soldiers started heavy shelling along the frontier. In reply 2 Maratha LI launched an assault and captured an enemy post named Kikar, which dominated Husseiniwala Barrage. On the night of 18^th September, a patrol under 2 Lt. Feroz Doctor got input about an enemy build up in area of Ganda Singhwala, which helped in preparing own defence. On the night of 19-20^th September Pakistani army launched an attack with Infantry Battalion supported with tanks. The main assault came on the company located near the Samadhi and a joint attack on company, which was deployed on approach to Husseiniwala Barrage. The enemy could not make gains towards Samadhi due to valiant resistance of Indian soldiers and effective fire from our Recoilless guns and Medium Machine Guns. On the night of 20-21 September the enemy attacked once again with renewed vigour. However this attack was repulsed by the inspired Marathas. In this battle Pakistan lost two Shermon tanks and suffered heavy casualties with 42 killed and over 200 wounded. In this operation Lt. Col. T.T.A Nolan, Lt. P.S. Rana, Naik Vitthal Patil, Naik Vishnu Kadam, Naik Shamrao Chavan, Lance Naik Narayan More, Sepoy Daga Nikam, Sepoy Banda More, Sepoy Raghunath Chalke, Sepoy Shankar Bhonsle, Sepoy Baba Falke, Sepoy Vasu Naik, Sepoy Manas Pasis, were martyred and Sepoy Shankar Bhonsle and Sepoy Daga Nikam were awarded Senal Medals.

There is a plaque commemorating the Battle of Assal Utttar during with Pakistan in 1971. It is also popularly known as Battle of Khemkaran. This battle was the largest tank to tank battle in the history of Indian army that turned the tide of 1965 war in favour of India. The Pakistani army by first week of September 1965 had captured the Indian town of Khemkaran in Punjab. After the fall of Khemkaran on September 10, 1965, the Indian forces positioned three armoured Regiments with 45 M4 Shermon Tanks, 45 AMX 13 Tanks, and 45 Centurion Tanks outside the village of Assal Uttar, 12 kms from the town of Khemkaran. The units camouflaged their tanks effectively in sugarcane fields, and approaches were flooded and made swampy. Unaware of it, over confident Pakistanis advanced towards Assal Uttar and their tanks were bogged down in the swamp. Opening fire from their camouflaged hideouts, at ranges as short as 500 yards, the Indian tanks were able to decimate the Pakistan’s Patton Tanks. The entrapped enemy fled the field in complete disarray. The enemy lost 97 tanks, including 72 Patton Tanks in this battle. They left behind 32 tanks in running condition while Indians lost 10 tanks in this battle. This battle saw the bravery of Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid who was awarded Param Vishisht Sewa Medal as he made supreme sacrifice in this battle. Other people who were martyred in this battle were Maj. Surendra Prasad, Hav. I. B. Gurung, Naik Jagdish Singh, LD Sahib Singh, LD Tarsem Singh, LD Sahib Singh SM,LD Kartar Singh, LD Manohar Singh, LD Jit Singh, LD Harbans Singh, and Masalchi Makodu. Mahaveer Chakra was given to Brig. T.K Theoraj from 62 CAV, Lt. Col. Raghubir Singh, 18 RAJ Rif and Lt. Col. Salim Caleb 3 CAV. Veer Chakra was given to Maj. N.G. David, Maj. S.C. Vadera from 3 CAV, Maj. R.S. Sharma, Capt. Prabhu Singh, Naik Jagdish Singh and Lance Naik Bhanwar Singh from 18 RAJ Rif, and Maj. M.A. Zaki, Maj. S. Prashad from 19 Maratha LI, and Lt. Teja Singh from 9 JAK Rif, 2 Lt. C.S. Nair from Engineers and Naib Subedar B. Ambhore from 2 Mahar and Ris. Acchar Singh, Df. Tarlok Singh from 9^th Horse , Hav. I.B. Gurung from 1/9 GR, and L. Hav. K.G George form Signals. Sena medal was given to Ris. Nihal Singh, Naib Risaldar Jagdev Singh, Naib Risaldar Bakshish Singh, Naib Risaldar Nasib Singh,Swr Daya Chand, Swr. Nek Singh, Swr. Udmi Singh and LD Sahib Singh from 3 CAV. There is also First Patiala War memorial with hymns of Guru Gobind Singh ji inscribed on it which was inaugurated by Capt. Amarinder Singh, the then Chief Minister of Punjab in 2006.

There is also a plaque in honour of martyrs of 1971 war in Battle of Husseiniwala against Pakistan. During this time 15 Punjab (First Patiala) was tasked to defend Husseiniwala enclave so as to prevent the capture of Head Works here. The most vulnerable part, currently near the BSF Checkpost was given to D Coy under Maj. Kanwaljit Singh SC. The approach astride the main road, including the Samadhi tower area was with C Coy under Maj. SPS Waraich. At 1835 hrs, on 3^rd December 1971 enemy began shelling with entire Corps Artillery against two companies followed by an attack by four infantry battalions and a Squadron of tanks. Fierce battle raged throughout the night with each company repeatedly beating back despite repeated enemy assault. At dawn the hostile forces had overrun both the companies and were nearly at the doorstep of the Samadhi. At this time Medium Machine Gun section stationed on the tower of Samadhi, under Naik Surjeet Singh, realising the peril, fought valiantly and beat back several enemy attempts to capture Samadhi till their ammunition lasted. The valiant Punjabis withstood gallantly the overwhelming hostile force, but as the position became precarious, they were ordered to withdraw from the enclave. Fifteen Punjab lost two officers and 53 soldiers, while it is estimated that Pakistani army lost more than 300 soldiers. People who made supreme sacrifice in this battle are Maj. Kanwaljit Singh SC, Maj. SPS Waraich, Hav. Jagir Singh, Hav. Gurbachan Singh, Hav. Balwant Singh, Hav. Randhir Singh, Hav. Sucha Singh, Hav. Darshan Singh, Lance Hav. Kartar Singh, Naik Bir Singh, Naik Amrik Singh, Naik Balkar Singh, Naik Mela Singh, Pritam Singh, Harkirat Singh, Piara Singh, Darshan Singh, Sarwan Singh, Jarnail Singh and Sepoys Pritam Singh, Chinnda Singh, Nacchatar Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Avtar Singh, Dharam Singh, Balbir Singh, Prem Singh, Surjit Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Rajpal Singh, Nacchtar Singh, Nishan Singh, Daler Singh, Chur Singh, Naranjan Singh, Swaran Singh, Surinder Singh, Jaspal Singh, Raghubir Singh, Makhan Singh, Nirmal Singh, Raghbir Singh, Prakash Singh, Jai Ram, Sulakahan Singh, Mohendra Singh Harish pal Singh, Kashmir Singh, Harnam Singh, Ayodhya Prasad, and Pritam Singh. Names have not been repeated, as it would seem but some persons were having same names.

There is also a building here showcasing a coach of a train that ran between Firozepur and Kasur before independence. One of the coach of that train has been preserved by constructing a room around it symbolising the bridge that was blown off by Indian army during 1965 war. The chief attraction of this place is the Samadhi or cenotaph of three great martyrs of Indian Freedom Movement- Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. This place has statues of these three great martyrs who embraced martyrdom to achieve independence from British rule. There is also memorial of another freedom fighter and colleague of Bhagat Singh named Butkeshwar Dutt, who was arrested along with Bhagat Singh for throwing bomb in the assembly to protest against the foreign rule in India, but he was released on medical grounds. In his last will Dutt expressed his wish to be cremated near the place where his three revolutionary friends Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev have been cremated. These revolutionaries were sentenced to death by a Britishers court in India for firing on police officer Sanders that came to be known as Lahore Conspiracy Case. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on the evening of March 23, 1931. At that time a great crowd had collected outside Central Jail Lahore in their support. So authorities sensing rebellion quietly put these revolutionaries to death and smuggled their bodies in sacks through the back gate of the jail by breaking the inner wall of the jail and crossed the River Sutlej and cremated them at Husseiniwala near Ferozepur hurriedly without performing any proper religious rites. Shri Bhatukeshwar Dutt, Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary colleague, passed away on July 19, 1965 at Delhi and as per his last wish he was also cremated here. Just beside the Samadhi of these great freedom fighters is the samadhi of Bhagat Singh’s mother who was given the title of Punjab Mata. Here a flame is burning continuously.

After paying regards at these historical sites of modern Indian history of 20^th century, we proceeded towards another signifiant village Bargari, that had been in name in recent years as some anti-social element has defiled the purity of Shri Guru Granth Sahib by tearing some of the leaves from this holy book at a village Burj Jawahar Singh near Bargari. Here we had come to meet my relatives as family of my father’s sister reside here. Here we were overjoyed to get the news of the arrival of new member in the family in the form of grandson of my cousin. After taking lunch, tea and snacks we moved from this place towards my birth place Parao Mehna, where my mother spent her childhood. Here we came to meet my mother’s brother’s son and his family that was residing here. As it was quite darkness when we left Mehna so without making any further delay we returned back to our base at Sujapur.

After a couple of days I and my brother-in-law went to see the memorial of Saragarhi battle Hav, Issar Singh, at his village Jhorran. As this place was not very far off from the place of our stay so we went there on scooter. A film Kesari has been made about this battle in which Akshay Kumar has performed the role of Hav. Issar Singh. Hav. Issar Singh joined 36^th Sikhs of British Indian army that was created under the command of Col. J. Cook that consisted entirely of Jat Sikhs from Punjab. In August 1897 five companies of this regiment were sent to NWFP under Lt. Col John Haughton and were stationed at Samana Hills, Kuraj, Sangar, Saktop Dhai, and Saragarhi. The British had partially succeeded in controlling this volatile area, but tribal Pashtuns continued assaulting it from time to time. Thus a series of fort built by famous Sikh Emperor Maharaja were consolidated. Two of the forts were Fort Lockhart, on the Samana range of the Hindu-Kush Mountain Range and Fort Gulistan on Sulaman Range. As these two forts were not visible from each other so Saragarhi was put up midway between these two as a heliographic communication post. This Saragarhi post, situated ona rocky ridge consisted of a small block house with loopholed rampart and a signalling tower. A general uprising by the Afgans began in 1897 and between 27^th August and 11 September many vigorous assaults of Pashtus were repulsed by these soldiers. In 1897 inimical and insurgent activities had increased, and on 3^rd and 9^th September Afridi tribesmen allied with Afgans attacked Fort Gulistan. Both these attacks were repulsed and a relief column from Fort Lockhart, on its return trip reinforced the signalling detachment stationed at Saragarhi, increasing its strength to three NCO’s and Eighteen other ranks. This battle of Saragarhi was a last stand battle before the Tirah Campaign between British Indian Empire and Afgan tribesmen. On September 12, 1897 an estimated 12000-24000 Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen were seen near Gogra, at Samana Suk, and around Saragarhi, cutting off Fort Gulistan from Fort Lockhart. The Afgans swarmed the fort and surrounded it and assaulted this outpost of Saragarhi. Sepoy Gurmukh Singh signalled to Col Haughton that they were under attack from Afgan tribesmen. Col Haughton sent the reply that he was unable to send immediately to Saragarh so they can leave the fort if they like. But these 22 soldiers led by Hav. Issar Singh decided to the fight to the last to prevent the foe from reaching the fort. Sepoy Bhagwan Singh was first to be martyred in this battle. Naik Lal Singh, though seriously wounded and Sepoy Jiva Singh brought the body of Bhagwan Singh inside the fort. The Afgans broke a portion of wall of picket. Col.Haughton signalled to them that the estimated strength of the enemy was 10000-14000. The leaders of the Afgan forces reportedly made promises to the soldiers to surrender. Two vigorous attempts were made to break the gate of the fort but in vain. But the wall of the fort was breached that followed some of the fiercest hand to hand combat between Afgan tribesmen and these soldiers. Hav. Issar Singh ordered his men to retreat to the inner wall of the fort while remained in front to give them cover for retreat. After the inner layer of the post was breached all but one soldier were killed but after killing numberless Afganis. Sepoy Gurmukh Singh, who was communicating the signals of the battle to Col. Haughton was the last defending soldier. His last message to Colonel was the permission to pick up rifle. Upon getting the permission, he packed up his heliograph and shut the door of his signalling shed. With his weapon he killed a number of Pashtuns as a result of which they decided to set fire to the shed so as to kill him. And he embraced martyrdom yelling “ Bole so Nihal, Sat Sri Akal. Though everybody had died at Saragarhi and Pashtuns succeeded in capturing but the stiff resistance give by these soldiers to Afgans delayed their attempts to capture Fort Gulistan and Fort Lockhat, as originally planned. They could keep control on Saragarhi only for 48 hours, as British relief force reoccupied it with the help of artillery by routing Pashtuns soundly. The weapons given to these soldiers were of old generation compared to the small arms issued to the white troops, which was intentionally done as a precaution to prevent another mutiny after the revolt of 1857. As we were returning from this place we saw a memorial that has been put up a well-off family of the neighbouring family, known in the area by the name of Currie family, some of whose members have settled abroad in U.K. This memorial is just three pillars standing in their farm with the name and pictures of their family members and names inscribed on it. It includes three or four generations from 1960 to 2020. While we were returning from Punjab I observed that a number of statues of the army soldiers who had lost their lives in some operation just outside the village to which they belonged. One such memorial was statue of Balwant Singh Baraich who was born in 1977 and achieved martyrdom during Kargil war in 1999 at the age of 22 years. He is portrayed in the statue in army olive green uniform holding AK-47 in his hand and a backpack behind. This memorial is just outside Baraich village to which Balwant Singh belonged.

We left Punjab and came to Sonepat in Haryana, where my elder son works as a Law Professor at a private university. We stayed here a couple of days. One day he took us to Delhi in his car to see Ferozshah Kotla, Old Fort and Gurudwara Rikab Ganj. First of all we went to see Ferozshah Kotla which was built 1354 by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq. Today it is almost in ruins except some structures standing in its precincts. It is situated on the banks of River Yamuna that provided water needs of the people residing here. It is also known for a famous 3^rd B.C Ashoka Pillar put on slightly raised ground, Jami Masjid and a Baoli or a step well catering to the water needs of populace living here. About Asoka Pillar and the pyramidal structure it has been said that this lofty structure was built three stages with size diminishing in each successive storey, consisting of cells with arched entrances in 1358 by Feroze Shah Tughlaq and the Ashok Pillar was installed on the top of this structure. This pillar which is believed to be of the year 273-236 B.C was removed by the Sultan from Topra in Ambala district and a similar second pillar is stationed at present near Hindu Rao Hospital at Ridge, was brought from Merrut. It was transported to this site, wrapped in silk cotton cloth, then it was lowered into a bed prepared for it, then it was encased in reeds and raw skins. It was carried in 42 wheels carriage. A strong rope was fastened to each wheel and 200 men pulled each of these ropes. It was taken to the bank of River Yamuna where Sultan personally checked Transportation arrangements. From here it was carried to Firozabad in large boats and conveyed into Kushan. The pyramidal structure was built in stages. When a storey was finished the column was raised on it and repeated in the same manner in succession until it reached the intending terrace. After the installation of the pillar some ornamental friezes in black and white stones were placed around its capital and over this was raised a gilded copper copula or a Kalash which is now missing. Originally this pillar was enclosed with stone railings. The Ashoka edicts of this column in Brahmi script were first of all deciphered in 1837 by James Prinsep. Besides other minor records of pilgrims and travellers inscribed on it during different centuries, the one in Sanskrit engraved in 1163 A.D records conquests of Chauhan prince Vishal Dev.

The remains of the congregational mosque of the citadel- Jami Masjid- stands today belying the fact that it was quite spectacular in its own time. It is an octagonal domed structure built during the reign of Sultan Ferozeshah Tughlaq in 14^th century. It reflects typical architectural style of the Tughlaq dynasty characterised by massive proportions, sloping walls and less ornamentation. The structure is made primarily of rubble masonry. The doorway was decorated with carved stones that no longer exists. An interesting feature of this structure are the chambers at the lower level. Timur was so much impressed by it that he is said to have built a similar mosque at his capital Samarkand using craftsmen from India. The historic palace of Ferozeshah now stands in ruins. The walls of the citadel are 15 feet high and have a slight slope on the outside. The top parapets have now disappeared but the arrow slits can still be seen. The contemporary historian of this era had identified parts of that palace by different names like Palace of the Clay Court which was meant for the emperor’s court attended by nobles, officials and distinguished literary personages. Palace of the wooden galleries on overhang was for the officers of the emperor, and the Palace of the Public Court was the site where emperor held court for the common people. Apart from these the private areas of the palace were meant for the residence of the emperor and his family members. It is likely that the surfaces at one time were covered with fine lime plaster which was decorated by carving and printing in diverse colours.

The Baoli or the well was an essential source of water for the citadel. Unlike other step wells this baoli does not have steps leading down to the water level. It is a circular well open to the sky with a provision to lift water in a bucket on a pulley. Around this wall two storeys of rooms are arranged. A complex system of pipes and channels pumped the water to the roof and from there to the outside, where it might have been used for watering the garden and other uses. The roof probably was topped by Chattris- pillared kiosks- and surrounded by railing serving as a recreational space.

After seeing the Ferozshah Kotla we went to visit National Handicrafts Fair and on the way we got the passing view of Purana Qila or Old Fort. It is one of the Oldest forts, primarily built by Mughal Emperor and Sher Shah Suri between 1530 and 1540, though evidences present in it suggest human habitation in it dating back of 3^rd Century B.C. It served as a citadel for Humanyun’s city- Dinpanah, and is widely believed to be situated on the site of legendry Pandava Capital city of Inderprastha. Sher Shah Suri conquered it by defeating Humayun and renamed it as Shergarh and continued building completing many structures visible today like Qita-i- Kuhna mosque. Besides the mosque the popular structures are the Baz Darwaza, Talaqui Darwaza or forbidden gate and Humayun Darwaza, all built in red sandstone and a double storied octagonal red sandstone tower known as Sher Manda that became cause of Humayun’s death. It was initially an observatory and library and Humayun fell from its steps and died. Today, this place is a popular historical site hosting sound and light shows, boating etc. By the time we reached National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy it was time for lunch. So first of all we entered a restaurant, situated in its premises and had a good and hearty lunch. After a satisfying lunch of Cuthel Biriyani and Ragi Bada Pav and Ragi Dhokla, we went to see various pavilions related to armoury, paintings, crockery, Idol section, Wood craft section, textile section and the like. We found the wooden craft section and the houses of various rural tribes of India built outside the exhibition quite interesting. After buying a few articles and we came out of it and proceeded towards the historical Gurudawara Rakabganj Sahib.

This historical Gurudwara is associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji- the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs. At this place sacred headless body was reverentially cremated by a trader named Lakhi shah Banjara, when he was martyred by Aurangzeb on 11^th November 1675. Bhai Jaita ji took the head of the body respectfully to Sri Anandpur Sahib where it was cremated and the rest of the body was taken by Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara to his house and set fire to it cremating the body with it. The place where Gurudwara stands today was the house of Lakhi Shah Banjara. He collected the ashes in an urn and kept it underground in his burnt house. Later when Delhi was conquered by Sardar Baghel Singh in 1763, he identified historical places related to the Sikhs and established the memorial of this also. Rakabganj is a small village so that gave this name to Gurudwara. After the revolt of 1857, a wall of Sikh loyalists was constructed around the memorial in 1714. In 1914 it was demolished by Britishers so as to construct new buildings and structures for the new capital of British Raj. After ceaseless efforts from Sikh leaders, Gurudwara was renovated by S. Harnam Singh Suri of Pusa Road on 8^th January 1955. As it was dusk by the time we came out of Gurudwara after paying our regards and tribute so we returned back to our base in Harayana at Sonepat, where my elder son teaches law in a private university.

After staying for a couple of days at Sonepat, my son took us in his car to Jaipur, where we saw the iconic park of Mansarovar- The City Park. Though we had seen it earlier too but still we saw some new structures that had come in it like a chocolate brown clock tower that had come at the south entrance of the park and a new pavilion in the centre west side of the park. Our sojourn ended with a ride on Volvo A.D Bus that brought us back to our home town- Chittorgarh.

Served Right Author : Dr.K. S.Kang

 

Served Right

Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

Devnath was a devout religious man who had strong faith in non-violence and vegetarianism. He did not like any creature, beast or bird, taking away another dead bird or beast to fill its belly. One day he saw a dog carrying a pigeon in its jaws. He bounded towards the cur at once and hound seeing was taken aback at his aggressive posture, so it left the wounded pigeon and moved away. Though Devnath could not save the wounded pigeon but he denied the dog its meal. Another day a cat had grabbed a dead rat in its jaws and placing it before Devnath’s house it started gorging on the dead rat calmly. At that time Devnath was busy at his prayers so though he saw it but he could not disturb his prayers to chase away the cat and cat calmly finished the rat by eating it to the bones just in the front of the house of a Pious man named Devnath. That perhaps entire nature was conspiring to teach Devnath a lesson that denying any creature is as bad as killing another creature as it is perfect nature’s law and biological cycle that one creature becomes food of another, and it is nature’s way to maintain equilibrium.

There has also been growing trend observed recently among the people that they throw fodder for the cows and bulls before the houses of others so as to earn a place in heaven for themselves after death. But they do not know that by creating chaos and filth at the other’s doorsteps is not going to help gain any place anywhere after their deaths, as though they may be gaining the blessings of the mute beasts, if beasts can bless, but surely they are earning the abuses and curses of those people before whose homes they create chaos and filth and untidiness. In this context I came across one incident where the very cow and bull whom a person used to feed daily, threw him on horns and he is still lying unconscious in the hospital as perhaps ever the Almighty is unable to decide whether to give him place in heaven or not, as he has earned more dispraises than the praises in his so called pious life.

Education Resists Social Evils Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

 

Education Resists Social Evils

Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

As I was sitting in my office I heard loud arguments. By the voice I could recognise that Manav, who was otherwise a silent and reserved boy,was talking loudly with somebody. I sent some body to bring Manav to my office. He entered the office with an elderly gentleman. As I was his Hostel Incharge, so I asked Manav why he was talking loudly with somebody just outside the office of the Hostel Incharge. Looking at the old man now I recollected that that man had came to my office handing over Manav, who was lean, thin young boy of eleven years to me, with a request to look after him well. Manav instantly replied, ‘Sir, I don’t want to go to my home in vacations’. I was taken aback and amazed at his reply because most of the inmates of the hostel looked forward to vacations when they can go home and spend a few days with parents. So I again asked Manav the reason for not going to his home during the vacations. He replied hesitantly, ‘ Sir, I don’t want to get married and my father has decided to marry me during the vacations and they have already seen the girl whom I am supposed to marry even without asking me’. He again repeated, ‘ sir , I don’t want to get married, as I want to join security services of the country as per the aim of this institution where I am studying and I know that only unmarried males can join security services of the country.’ He was nearly breathless and panting with passion by the time he ended his long reply. Now I looked at the old man and asked him enquiringly, ‘ Is what Manav saying true ?’ The old man whose name was Mali Ram replied at once, ‘ Sir, in our society we marry our children at young age as we don’t get bride in our society at an advanced age, and secondly his grandmother wants to see her grandson’s wedding before saying farewell to this world’. With that he fell silent. I was in a fix what to do. Though I had strong belief that Mali Ram had no right to spoil the dream of Manav with the just the stupid superstitious belief of the society and ruin Manav’s career and thwart him from fulfilling the aim of the institution in which he was studying. Since I was no authority to give verdict on this matter and so I took both son-father duo to Principal and narrated the matter to him . Principal heard me patiently and looked both at Manav and Mali Ram and then spoke after clearing his throat, ‘ Mali Ram ji, you can’t destroy the dream and career and spoil the aim of our institution just due to old rotten custom and superstition of your society. As I respect you due to your old age, so I request you to leave your child in our hands and leave the school premises at once. I promise to look after your child in vacations too as we had been looking after him during the rest of the session.’ After listening to the determined voice of Principal, Mali Ram left Principal’s office with bowed head, without looking even once at Manav. Principal got up from his chair and placing his head on the head of Manav, ‘Don’t worry child, from today you are my son, during the vacations you will have all your meals with me till the end of the vacation, and that’s an order.’ Manav felt relieved at once and came back to hostel getting a snoring sound sleep that night as his problem was resolved and Education has thwarted the social superstition from spoiling the dream and career a young boy. Later on Manav joined Army and retired as Brigadier after putting in decades of service.

Home, other than Home Author : Dr. K.S. Kang

 

Home, other than Home

Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

As school drew to a close for vacations,all children were excited to go to their homes and spend a few days with their parents as this was a hundred percent residential school. One student, named Jaipal, turned sedate and morose as the vacations were announced. I observed it and called him to my office on the pretext of knowing the place that he will visit during the vacations. But he gloomily replied, ‘ I ‘ve nowhere to go as my parents have migrated to America last year, I do not have any relative to look after.’ I asked him emphatically, ‘ Are you serious, there is no relative of you to look after you in the country’. His demure reply was, ‘ No I have a distant cousin, who is in Police service but he too busy in his problems to care about me’. Now I wondered whether Jaipal was telling lies, so I asked him raising my tone a little, ‘ You’ve said that your parents migrated to America last year, then where did you spend your Summer Vacations, are you befooling me’. To my natural query he replied with downcast eyes, ‘ if it had been summers it would not have been much of the trouble, but as this is time of winters, so I am worried more about spending my vacations and that’s why I am reluctant to leave the school premises during vacations. I must tell you that I am not telling lies, my parents really migrated to America last year and I spend the subsequent Summers Vacations in the golden complex Amritsar, where I used to get two fair meals a day and for the rest of the day I cleaned the premises of the temple and utensils at the Langar.’ Looking at me I vividly remembered his father who handed Jaipal, who was ten years old at that time, over to me saying, ‘ Now you are his father, mother and everything for him,do whatever is best for him’. I felt responsible for his well being all over the year, not only during his stay in the hostel but still I took him to Principal and narrated his problem to him, who kept moving from one place to another in his office while listening attentively to my narration with Jaipal standing with bowed head in one corner of his office. Principal looked at Jaipal for some time, and he also knew that Jaipal was a great foodie at school as the accompanying officer to NCC camp reported about him that when Mess Havildar was asking from every cadet how many chappatis they will take in lunch. Jaipal calmly replied ‘sixteen’,. Mess Havildar was stunned and amazed by this reply and said in surprise, ‘Are you mad ?’. To it Jaipal replied calmly, ‘ It is up to you, if you will give at once, then it will be sixteen chappatis and if you will give in instalments then it will be thirty two chappatis, as my chapptis will get digested in the path that I will cover in coming to you to ask for more chappatis.’ Though Principal knew his reputation but still fondling his head with affection said, ‘ I cannot open school mess for one inmate, but don’t worry you will not have to go anywhere because as long as you are in school, you are my responsibility. From today he will take one meal at the residence of the staff staying in the campus till vacation ends, and today he will take meals at my residence to begin with’. Principal took Jaipal affectionately to his home that day and he issued the orders to each faculty member staying in the campus to host him at least for one meal till the vacation ends. Seeing the liberal gesture of Principal, both Jaipal and I came out of Principal’s office smilingly.

Renunciation Author: Dr. K.S. Kang

 

Renunciation

Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

Today was the last day of service for Sujata, though she had not superannuated but she had applied for voluntary retirement, three months ago and her request was accepted and today was the last day of her job. As she was moving towards the porch of the college, after parking her ev two wheeler in that portion of college cycle stand that was reserved exclusively for the faculty and Principal of the college, her whole career of two decades of teaching in different colleges moved like a movie in her mind. She clearly remembered the day when she received the appointment letter and when she came to join enthusiastically. She thought of changing the lives of the students through her teaching and ultimately change the nation and world as per ideals. But various factors combined to arouse her dislike for her profession like bureaucratic hurdles, irregularity of classes, political interference and apathy of the administrations. No doubt she loved and respected real and genuine students who came to the institution to learn something new and these students also regarded her in high esteem but their efforts were thwarted due to degraded politics among the students. This disillusioned her a lot and though she was never lax in taking classes though Principal and administration wanted to give more attention to non-academic jobs like hostel supervision, scholarships and like. Today, also she had assured Principal that though not on the payroll of the college any more from tomorrow but she will continue to take classes and finish her syllabus before leaving the town for her unknown future journey. Her decision was opposed vehemently by her parents as she was unmarried and even her friends and well wishers too wanted to continue her job till superannuation but she was fed up of the worldly life and worldly ways of affairs. She wanted to tread the pilgrims path and walk on the way leading to spirituality and divinity, though she was not sure whether it will lead her to anywhere or not. She wanted no ceremony at her farewell, she simple signed the attendance register and her relieving papers, she had declined to take any farewell girt or function form the staff and she had taken excuse form secretary staff club, but despite her protests Principal and a couple of faculty members arranged a tea party and honoured her by wrapping a shawl around her shoulders. She was simply over whelmed at the gesture of her colleagues and picking up shawl and her papers she quietly walked out of Principal’s office with tears in her eyes.

Chasing the Train by Cab Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

 

Chasing the Train by Cab

Author: Dr. K. S. Kang

This incident is related to hill toy train that runs between two stations in Himachal Pradesh and the hilly terrain of West Bengal from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri. A few servicemen had gone for Mountaineering Camp at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at Darjeeling. After the successful conclusion of the camp they came to Darjeeling station to catch this train. First of all they went to get the ticket at the ticket window. One of the soldier had to go to a place in Madhya Pradesh known by the name of Mandasaur. Clerk at the window was unable to locate Mandsaur in his railway map so he was unable to decide the fare. But this soldier was insisting and convincing the clerk to give him the ticket up to Mandsaur and he even pointed the exact location of Mandsaur in the railway map hanging behind the clerk. At last clerk was convinced and he issued the ticket saving the soldier from inconvenience of taking ticket again and again at different stations. But by the time this matter was sorted out, this toy train running between Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri gave the whistle and started moving from the platform. By the time these soldiers came on platform the train had left the platform. Soldiers went to station master to tell him about their problem. Listening intently to their problem he calmly replied, ‘ No problem if you have missed the train, hire a cab out side the station you will surely catch it at the next station as this is Himalayan narrow gauge train that moves slowly through the winding mountain path’. Soldiers turned at once and came out of the station and hired a cab asking him to take them at the next station quickly so that they can catch that train. Cab driver replied calmly, ‘Don’t worry sir, I will take you to the next station easily much before the time the train reaches there, that you will receive the same train at the next station that you wanted to catch at this station’. Putting their luggages inside the cab they were quickly on the road chasing the train and soon they were at par with train and crossed it just in time the gates were being closed to let that train pass. Cab driver, true to his word, reached the next station well in time, so soldiers on the platform received the engine of that train chugging slowly with the trail of half a dozen coaches,that they had missed at the earlier station.