Iqbal Singh
Minarets of the Ramgarhia Bunga as seen from Sri Harmandir Sahib in olden times
Two minarets are clearly visible to all visitors to Sri Harmandir Sahib, the holiest Gurdwara of the Sikhs, located in Amritsar. The entire complex, including the two minarets, is called “Bunga Ramgarhia.” The Bunga is witness to some very interesting aspects of Sikh history.
Ahmad Shah Abdali also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani, undertook several invasions of India starting in 1748. The country was then ruled by the Mughals, whose power had greatly dwindled. During these raids, he and his army sacked and plundered the cities of Lahore, Sirhind, Delhi, Mathura and Vrindavan in North India. They indulged in gruesome activities in Punjab including the desecration and demolition of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
A detailed account of Ahmad Shah Abdali’s invasions and the terrible acts committed by his forces in Punjab is well-documented and preserved since he had to pass through Punjab to carry out his nefarious exploits. The historical accounts offer a vivid portrayal of the tumultuous period and the steadfast resistance offered by the Sikh community under extreme adversity, showcasing their strategic acumen in warfare and an unyielding spirit in defending their land and honour against formidable foes.
The Sikhs challenged the Afghans as the latter passed through Punjab on their way back with untold booty of material and slaves, mostly females. Descriptions from the battle scenes, including the strategic retreats followed by surprise attacks, underline the adaptability and resilience of the Sikh forces in the face of a superior adversary.
The Afghan reaction was gruesome. It is recorded that Abdali’s soldiers received five Rupees, a significant amount at the time, for each Sikh head that they presented. The Afghan soldiers loaded their horses with the looted goods. The severed heads were bundled in rugs like sheaves of grain and placed on the heads of captive females’ and men who were taken as slaves. On reaching the dwellings of the local chiefs, these heads were mounted on lances and displayed at the gate for payment. This horrific spectacle of slaughter and plundering was a daily occurrence.
Dr. Purnima Dhavan, a professor from the University of Washington, notes that while Ahmad Shah’s forces emerged victorious in major battles, such as at Panipat, they found themselves at a disadvantage against the guerrilla tactics adopted by the Sikh forces in Punjab. According to Prof. Harbans Singh, Punjabi University, Patiala, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, one of the prominent Sikh Misl leaders, alongside other Sikh leaders, engaged in numerous significant battles against Ahmad Shah Durrani.
Since Abdali’s troops could not succeed against the Guerrilla type of resistance, they would desecrate or demolish the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) to punish Sikhs in an attempt to suppress their activities and create fear among others.
It was becoming too much for the Sikh Misl leaders and the people of Punjab to bear the savage conduct of foreign invaders, especially the desecration of their holiest shrine. After the seventh invasion, the Sikh Misl (military force) leaders held a meeting and decided that it was necessary for some of the leaders to reside or establish a base around Sri Harmandir Sahib. This was seen as the only way to protect the shrine from external invaders like Abdali and put an end to the ghastly activities in the region.
During a Sarbat Khalsa (congregation of Sikhs) held at Akal Takht, it was decided that the leaders of the Bhangi Misl, Ahluwalia Misl, and Ramgarhia Misl would be responsible for making their base around the Golden Temple due to their proximity to Amritsar. In case of an emergency, they could seek help from other Misls.
After the resolution was passed in the Akal Takth, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and other Sikh leaders like Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, and Charat Singh (Ranjit Singh’s grandfather) rallied their followers, and began a widespread campaign of raiding, fortifying, and establishing military strongholds. Thus a number of Bungas (Punjabi word for quarters), and forts came up around the holy Gurdwara and became the guardians of the shrine. By the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a total of 84 Bungas came up. Bungas of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Maharaja Sher Singh and Kunwar Naunihal Singh also came up after the death of the Maharaja in 1839.
The only Bunga that can now be seen was built by Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Its construction commenced around mid-1760. The other Bungas and forts, many of them smaller in size, disappeared with time or were demolished by the SGPC to expand the Parikarma of the Harmandir Sahib complex.
Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
The Ramgarhia Bunga is a unique building that stands out due to its ornate design, resembling a military post or base. The structure features tall minarets that were built with the purpose of spying on enemy movements from a distance, providing an early warning of potential threat. Additionally, the building has three layers of basements that were constructed to conceal own troops and materials and to conduct important meetings in secrecy.
The coronation stone of the Mughals called the Peacock Stone, was taken by Nadir Shah, a Persian invader, during his invasion of India in 1739. After it was taken away, another coronation stone was put in its place by the Mughal rulers in the Red Fort, Delhi. This new coronation stone was again used by the Mughal rulers for important meetings and issuing important orders.
In March 1783, the Sikh misls united and, with a combined army of around thirty thousand soldiers, marched against Delhi. The Red Fort was captured by Sikh Sardars, namely Baghel Singh, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. After defeating the Mughals Jassa Singh Ramgarhia removed the coronation stone of the Mughals and brought it to Amritsar. The stone was placed in the Bunga Ramgarhia. The Guru Granth Sahib was then placed on top of this Coronation Stone and a “path” was recited.
To commemorate the victory and achievements of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Baghel Singh and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia for conquering the Red Fort in 1783, their statues were installed in Delhi in a park opposite the Subhash Nagar Metro station by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in 2018 in consultation with the local and central government.
Out of a total of 84 Bungas, the Bunga Ramgarhia is the only one that survived the onslaught of the time. This was due to one person, “Sardar Sahib” Sardar Tirlochan Singh, who saved this monument. He, while living in the Bunga, opposed its acquisition and destruction by the SGPC through legal battles fought over 25 years. The government declared it a historical monument. It is not an ordinary building, but a historic landmark that holds great significance in Sikh history, reminding the Sikhs of their glory and victory over Mughal and Abdali forces. It is not only a part of Sikh history but also the history of India and the people of this land.
At the time of handing over the building, there was an understanding that this monument would be used as an extension of the Central Sikh Museum near the Golden Temple to allow its general maintenance and the general public to visit this monument. For some reason this has not been done and the building is apparently in neglect.
According to a map published by the British authorities, a significant portion of Punjab – including areas that are now in Pakistan – was under the control of Sikhs by 1783. This happened under fragmented leadership, well before Ranjit Singh’s birth in 1780. It was during this period that the region was first freed from foreign invaders and created an environment where Maharaja Ranjit Singh could establish his empire over these territories including Kashmir and parts of Tibet from 1801 to 1839. Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and his misl were notable contributors to the establishment of the Sikh Empire.
The Bungas were crucial in safeguarding the shrine because this holds a significant place in Sikh prayer and tradition. “Sikha Nu Sikhee Daan, Kesh Daan…Sri Amritsar Ji Daa Darshan Isnaan, Chaounkian, Jhande, “Bunge” Jugho Jugho At’aal, Dharam Kaa Jaikaar, Bolo Ji Waheguru” It is now up to us how we retain this monument for our future generations reminding them of their glorious past.
(Iqbal Singh is author of the book – The Quest for the Past: Retracing the History of Seventeenth Century Sikh Warrior)
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