Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara Sikhi Class

1. In 1704, Anandpur was under attack by the Mughals. The Mughals had an army of over a million, which surrounded Anandpur Sahib. The Singh’s living in Anandpur, with Guru Ji, had to eat leaves and tree bark. 
    

2. For 7 months, the army surrounded Anandpur Sahib. The Mughals said to the Sikhs in Anandpur Sahib "Anyone who announces that they are not a Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh will be allowed to leave". 
    

3. Over a hundred Sikhs got together and decided that they would leave Anandpur Sahib. Their leader, Mahan Singh, went to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and told him that they are no longer his Sikhs. 
    

4. Guru Ji accepted and told the Sikhs to write “We are no longer your Sikhs and you are no longer our Guru ” on a letter and sign it.
    

5. Only 40 Singhs signed the letter and left Anandpur Sahib to go to Majha where they lived. Guru Ji placed the letter in their Kamarkasa (waist-belt which holds weapons).
    

6. When Mata Bhag kaur ji (Mai Bhago), who lived in Majha, heard that the 40 Singhs had left Guru Gobind Singh Ji, she immediately told their wives not to talk to them.
    

7. When the Singhs came home, all their wives were dressed as widows and they said their husbands are now dead.
    

8. The wives told their husbands that they will pick up the sword to fight the Mughals. Mata Bhag Kaur ji called the Singhs cowards for leaving Guru Ji. 
    

9. After much time, in 1705, Mata Bhag Kaur Ji brought all the 40 Singhs back into Sikhi and they felt bad for leaving Guru Ji at Anandpur Sahib. Mata Bhag Kaur ji and the 40 Singhs decided they would go and help Guru Ji fight the Mughals. 
    

10. However, Guru Ji had already left Anandpur Sahib and the Mughal forces sent by Emperor Aurangzeb were trying to find Guru Ji. 
     

11. At Khidrana, the Mughal army of 10,000 men had found Guru Ji. Mata Bhag Kaur ji and the 40 Singhs were also at Khidrana and saw the Mughal army marching towards Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Ji was on top of a hill. 
     

12. All of the 40 Singhs, with Mata Bhag Kaur Ji, charged towards the 10,000 Mughal soldiers. Guru Ji supported them by firing arrows at the Mughals.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
     

13. The Mughal army lost thousands of men and retreated from the battlefield. 
     

14. All of the 40 Singhs were Shaheed (Martyrs) except for Mahan Singh, who was very badly injured. Mata Bhag Kaur Ji was also injured during the battle but later recovered. 
     

15. After the battle, Guru Ji went towards the battlefield to pick up the Singhs’ bodies so they could cremate them. Whilst collecting the bodies, Bhai Mahan Singh lifted his head. 
     

16. Guru Ji ran towards Bhai Mahan Singh and put Bhai Sahib’s head in his lap. Guru Ji said to Bhai Mahan Singh “I am very proud of you Mahan Singh. You and the other Singhs were very brave and you proved to me that you are a true Sikh warrior. Is there anything you want right now Mahan Singh?”.
     

17. Bhai Mahan Singh cried, “Guru Ji, all I want is for you to rip up that letter that me and the other Singhs signed at Anandpur Sahib”.
     

18. Guru Ji took the letter out of his kamarkasa and said “You 40 Singhs were always my Sikhs” and tore it in front of Bhai Mahan Singh Ji. Bhai Mahan Singh Ji smiled and passed away a few minutes after. 
     

19. Guru Ji named the place Muktsar as the “40 deserters” were now the “40 Mukte” (Chaali Mukte = 40 liberated ones).

Note: The battle fought by Mata Bhag Kaur Ji and the 40 Mukte is known as The Battle of Muktsar.
 

Morals of Story: 

• Never turn your back on Guru Ji.

• Men and women are both equal – both should learn how to fight.

• Guru Ji is forgiving.

• Guru Ji loves all the Singhs and Kaurs as his sons and daughters even when they make mistakes.