In 1921, a tragic incident took place at the revered Sikh Gurdwara of Nankana Sahib (Birth Place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) in present-day Pakistan. The incident, known as the Saka Nankana Sahib, resulted in the martyrdom of several Sikh individuals, including Bhai Lashman Singh Thariwal. The Saka Nankana Sahib occurred when the local Muslim authorities, led by H.H. Narayan Das also known Nrainu mahant, a Mahant who had taken over control of the gurdwara, refused to allow Sikhs to perform their religious ceremonies and rituals at the site. This led to a peaceful protest by the Sikh community, who demanded that their religious rights be respected. However, instead of listening to the peaceful demands of the Sikhs, the local Muslim authorities responded with violence alince with mahant. On February 20, 1921, they opened fire on a gathering of unarmed Sikh men, women, and children, who had assembled at the gurdwara. In the resulting chaos, several Sikh Sangat were killed (Between 140 to 260), Jathedari Under Bhai Lashman Singh(They were tied to a tree and burnt), a respected member of the community. Lashman Singh had been leading the peaceful protests at Nankana Sahib and was targeted by the authorities for his leadership role in the Sikh community.
The Saka Nankana Sahib sparked outrage among Sikhs all over India and the world. The Sikh community responded by organizing protests and rallies, calling for justice for the victims of the massacre. The incident also galvanized Sikh political consciousness, leading to a renewed demand for a separate Sikh state. One of the key figures in the aftermath of the Saka Nankana Sahib was Kartar Singh Chabbar, a prominent Sikh political leader. Singh played a pivotal role in organizing the protests and bringing attention to the issue of Sikh religious rights. He also advocated for greater political autonomy for the Sikh community, arguing that they needed a separate state to protect their interests. Kartar Singh was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and played an important role in bringing the issue of the massacre to the attention of the Indian National Congress.
The Saka Nankana Sahib remains an important event in Sikh history, commemorated every year by Sikhs all over the world. The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of religious freedom and the need for communities to come together to defend their rights in the face of oppression. The martyrdom of Bhai Lashman Singh and others who lost their lives in the massacre serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fight for justice and freedom of Sikhism.
Could you please share the name of the book where you have taken pictures #1 and #4 from? Thanks