Page 61 - Lohgarh

Banda Singh Bahadur’s Journey from Nanded to Lohgarh w 61

Mubarkullah Iradat Khan (Tarikh-i-Iradat Khani, 1714), Mohammed Ali
Khan Ansari (Tarikh-i-Muzaffari, 1788), Ghulam Hussain (Siyar-ul-
Mutakhrin, 1836), Ali-ud-Din Mufti (Ibratnama, 1854), Ganesh Das
Vadera (Char-i-Bagh-i-Punjab, 1855), Kanhaya Lal (Tarikh-i-Punjab, 1881),
Ahmed Shah Batalia (Kitab-i-Hind, 1885), Mohammed Latif (Tarikh-i-
Punjab), Elliot and Dowson (History of India as told by its Historians),
James Brown (Indian Tracts), McGregor (History of the Sikhs), C. H. Payne
(The Sikhs) etc. too have mentioned that Banda Singh was initiated by
the tenth Guru at Nander before he was given the supreme command
of the Sikh army.
After initiating Banda Singh, Guru Gobind Singh explained to him
the situation of the Sikh homeland. The Guru also narrated the details
of his exit from Anandpur Sahib. This made Banda Singh despondent,
but the Guru exhorted him: ‘It is not a time to be sad and lose heart; it
is a time to act and bring an end to the cruel regime.’ At this Banda
Singh spoke: ‘Guruji, I am your banda... just order me as you please and
I will carry it out immediately.’ On this, the Guru asked him to take up
the command of the Sikh army and bring an end to the tyranny being
perpetrated by the cruel Mughal regime. The Guru further told him
that thousands of Sikhs will join him once he reaches the Sikh homeland.
For the next one month, Guru Gobind Singh trained Banda Singh in
various spheres like Sikh philosophy, history, the art of warfare. The
Guru periodically tested his knowledge and when he became sure that
Banda Singh was fully trained, he decided to send him to the Punjab on
planned expedition.

Banda Singh Leaves Nanded

During this period, a trade caravan of Bhai Bhagwant Singh Bangeshari
happened to pass through Nanded region. When he came to know of
the Guru’s presence in that area, he went to him to pay obeisance. The
Guru used this opportunity to send Banda Singh with his caravan. Thus,
on the fifth of October of 1708, Banda Singh left Nanded with Bhagwant
Singh Bangeshari’s caravan. Guru Gobind Singh offered Banda Singh a
blue flag (symbol of Sikh sovereignty), a nagara (battle drum), and five