Page 121 - Lohgarh

Mughal Action Against the Sikhs w 121

Lohgarh zone, might have constructed proper ration stores and stores
for other goods required for the war. His imagination to originate plans
and practical sense and energy to carry them through was remarkable.
He was observant, untiringly shrewd, kindly, a watchman, generous and
conservative, while constructing the Lohgarh Fort. Guru Har Rai Sahib,
had a real knowledge of humanity, the raw materials required for the
construction of Lohgarh and most vital of all, of building the fighting
spirit among the Sikhs, the will to win. More than the physical and moral
make up, he nurtured the mental qualities among the Sikhs i.e. common
sense, knowledge of what is and what is not possible. The real sound
knowledge of the mechanism of war, i.e. topography, movement and
supplies were well known to the Sikh army and this helped the Sikhs to
face Mughals at Lohgarh.
The tanda (trade caravan) of Bhai Lakhi Rai Vanjara used to supply
food grains and other trading materials and general carriers for the
conflicting armies also. He enjoyed a sort of immunity (comparable to
the present red cross) during the wars as his tanda was never attacked
or harmed by the conflicting armies: whether Mughals, Rajputs or
Marathas. These armies used to purchase grains, tents, weapons, horses,
goats, sheep etc. and his tanda also acted as transporter for shifting of
camps. His tanda had a strong contingent of forty to fifty thousand
bullock carts and dogs to safeguard them. His tanda encamped for safety
every evening in a regular square formed with the bags of the grains.
The Vanjaras remained in the centre and the oxen were fastened outside.
But in the case of Lohgarh, the Vanjaras not only supplied the materials
and weapons to the Sikh army, but they also fought against the Mughals
in front to uproot oppressions of imperialist regime.
The Vanjaras, the moving traders lead the Sikhs through the difficult
routes in jungles. They were reported to have carried weapons along
with the grains to the Sikh hide out in the hills. The Sikh army had no
shortage of supplies of essential food grains and commodities because,
having anticipated a prolonged war, they had accumulated everything
long back at Fort Lohgarh in a well planned manner; whereas, on the
other hand, the supplies for Mughal army were badly affected as the