Page 37 - Lohgarh

Lohgarh : The Largest Fort of the World w 37

hundred Pathan soldiers, whom the Guru had employed at the
recommendation of Budhu Shah, betrayed the Guru and joined hands
with Fateh Shah. When the Pir came to know about their treason, he,
along with his sons and 700 of his followers reached there and
participated in the battle. In this battle two of his four sons (Ashraf and
Mohammed) and his brother Bhure Shah embraced martyrdom.
No source of history confirms this story. First of all there were no
salaried soldiers in the army of the Guru, so employing 500 Pathans in
his army is not true. Secondly, this battle was held at Bhangani (about
20 km from Paonta Sahib). According to Sawroop Singh (in Guru Kian
Sakhian, episode no 44), this battle was fought just on one day and
continued only for 4-5 hours. Now, if the Pathan soldiers had deceived
the Guru, how did Budhu Shah receive the news at Sadhaura (85 km
from Bhangani) and when did he reach there to join the battle. There
were no telephones, nor helicopters to enable him to get the news of
treason to join the battle. So, this story seems to be a concocted one.
Further Guru Kian Sakhian book mentions the names of all the
prominent persons who participated in the battle; and Pir Budhu Shah’s
name figures nowhere. But, one thing is evident that Budhu Shah had a
very loving relationship with the Guru and he used to make frequent
visits to the Guru at Paonta Sahib and, later, at Anandpur.
Usman Khan the chief of Sadhaura town did not like Pir Budhu Shah’s
affinity with the Guru. One day he invited the Pir to join him for hunting
and took him to the forest where he got him burnt to death. It happened
on 21 March 1704. This news reached the Guru much later. By that
time Anandpur was under siege and the Guru could not punish Usman
Khan. When Banda Singh attacked Sadhaura on 5 December 1709, the
family of Pir Budhu Shah helped him a lot. After having occupied
Sadhaura Banda Singh arrested Usman Khan. Usman Khan was the killer
of the Pir Budhu Shah, he was also known for his hatred for the non-
Muslims. He would forcibly take away young Hindu girls and rape them.
Banda Singh publicly executed Usman Khan for his crimes.

Mukhlisgarh and Lohgarh