Dakshini Sikhs: Glorious Past; Deplorable Social Status

On September 2, 2008, The Hindustan Times published a report on deplorable social status of the Dakshini Sikhs. The report has been borrowed from Indo-Asian News Service. 

Explaining the term Dakshini Sikh, the report tells that it means Southern Sikhs which include Sikligar, Vanjara and Lubana castes who live as gypsies in various states across India. 

Recently, the National Commission for Minorities has deputed several teams to collect the data on the socio-economic status of the Dakshini Sikhs. 

While giving the details of the news, the news items has given a snippet on the history of Dakshini Sikhs which is as follows. 

The Dakshini Sikhs were associated with Sikh Guru Hargobind ji in 1595. They made swords, spears and shields for the Sikh army. 

They fought against Mughals during the life time of Guru Gobind Singh ji. 

In 1832, Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent a force of 2000 Sikhs soldiers which mostly consisted of the above mentioned tribes to Hyderabad. The force was requested by Nizam of Hyderabad to save his territories from the attacks of his neighbours. 

The Nizam of Hyderabad had given jobs to Maharaja Ranjit Sigh soldiers in his kingdom and latter it was such Sikhs who became known as Dakshini Sikhs. 

British had left but left behind the babus

It has reference to an earlier report here and here.

As reported, the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, in response to an RTI application, located the files of the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 at Amritsar. He, under the hangover of colonial mindset which somehow continues to percolate down on the mind of Indians, decreed in highly indiscreet manner that they people who had lost their life while participating in the peaceful meeting against the Rowlatt Act had been already compensated by the existing government.

It is reported in the Hindustan Times, September 5, 2008, Front page, that the same Deputy Commissioner has sought the freedom fighter status for those who were killed on that fateful date. It is highly ironical and disgraceful that the administration had played all those acts which it usually perform in a matte which is of sanctity of history of the country before coming to the most logical decision.

British had left but left behind the babus.

Unfimiliarity and Ideological Bias lead to News on History.

The following two posts as published in Hindustan Times in the month of September 2008 and August 2008 may explain the meaning of the title.

REMEMBER THIS MARTYR TO REMEMBER OUR HISTORY

WHO's TO BLAME FOR BHAGAT STATUE

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The Hindustan Times
August 27, 2008
and
September 1, 2008

wikipedia for Photographs.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Heritage Hill in Rupnagar (Ropar)

The Punjab Department of Cultural Affairs, Archives, Archaeology and Museum had declared Maharaja Ranjit Singh National Memorial Heritage Hill Park as a heritage hill under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1964.


It is reported by Bahadurjeet Singh in Hindustan Times Chandigarh dated August 30, 2008 wherein he substantiated by pointing out Maharaja Ranjit Singh had set up a surveillance post on heritage hill during his historic meeting with British Governor General of India, Lord William Bentinck in 1831 for settlement of boundary issues.


Later, the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh had hoisted the Sarkar - e - Khalsa banner on the hill.

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Source: Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, page 2, HT Punjab, Date: August 30, 2008.

Evoke History to Seek Heritage Status

In a report appearing in The Hindustan Times, dated August 27, 2008, Chandigarh Edition, page 4, it is conveyed that Punjab Government will claim heritage status for Sultanpur Lodhi because it has historic association with Guru Nanak. The Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal stated “that the original architecture and grandeur of the town of great religious and cultural importance would be preserved while implementing various development projects.

It is added here that Sultanpur Lodhi and Ludhiana came into existence during the period of Sikandar Lodhi in order to counter the attack of Khokhars. Such historic facts should also be given due place while getting motivation for preserving heritage which is the only surety of preserving ones existence.

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If Hindustan Times people happens to this post, then it is requested that they should not insist the users of their internet users to register first in order to access the links. There is no such bar in case of The Tribune and The Hindu. As a result, one may find numerous references to those newsprints on this blogs as well its associated blog like sumir-history.blogspot.com


Hindustan Times, Urban

History Connection of Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra won Gold Medal in the 10 m rifle shooting in Beijing Olympics. For Republic of India, it is one of most memorable incidence in her history as it is a first individual Gold Medal won by a nation which has 1.1 billion population.

It is reported in Hindustan Times, Chandigarh edition dated August 18, 2008 that Abhinav Bindra is the fifth decedent of Hari Singh Nalwa from his mother side.

Hari Singh Nalwa was the commander in Chief of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799-1839) who conquered Kabul for Lahore Kingdom. Later he became the governor of Kashmir and brought it under control which only he could have done by his iron fist policy.

Apropos, Kumkum Chadha, the reporter of Power Pitch, un which she had reproduced the interview with Babli Bindra, the mother of Abhinav Bindra, and the fifth descendent of Hari Singh Nalwa. She has also recorded a folklore that in Afghanistan, it was a tradition for a long time that Afghan mothers snubs their wailing children by warning them “Khamosh Bash, Haria raghle (Stop crying, Haria will come)

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Source: Hindustan Times, Chandigarh Edition, Dated August 18, 2008, Article Power Pitch, Section: Simply Women, author and interviewer Kumkum Chadha
Photograph source: Wikipedia
Family photograph:China Daily
Personal Blog of Abhinav Bindra as reported on Wikipedia: Abhinav Bindra's Road to Beijing