Kashmir has historically and culturally been an integral part of Indian civilization for centuries. Kashmir has produced not just sages and savants of highest calibre but also warriors like Maharaja Lalitaditya whose empire straddled across parts of Central Asia, Afghanistan, and a large part of India. While mostly, Kashmiri Pandits have been an academically and spiritually inclined community, when need arose, these peace-loving people could rally around to fight persecution boldly. For five centuries, Kashmir’s Hindu community braved Islamic rulers with jihadist mindsets, hellbent on converting the original inhabitants to Islam. From Sikandar Butshikan to Jabbar Khan, the swords of these despots were bathed in the blood of Kashmiri Pandits!

Mughal Kings, from Jahangir (1569-1627) to Aurangzeb (1618 -1707) levied Jazia on Kashmiri Pandits to coerce them to convert to Islam. Iftikhar Khan (1671–75), Aurangzeb’s governor for Kashmir, was a cruel man and used brute force and backbreaking taxes on the peaceful Hindu community, demanding they convert to Islam. The hapless community was looking for a saviour. Under the leadership of Pt Kripa Ram Dutt of Mattan, Kashmir, a delegation of 500 Kashmiri Pandits went to Anandpur Sahib in Punjab to seek guidance from Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in 1675. Pt Kripa Ram’s father, Pt Aru Ram had met Guru Har Rai in 1660 and had established a connect with the Guru.

During the historical meeting on May 16, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is said to have given a sympathetic hearing to the delegates from Kashmir who sought his guidance. It is said that while he was in deep thought, contemplating on a solution to this tragic problem, his 8-year-old son, Gobind Rai (later, Guru Gobind Singh Ji) came up and asked his father why he was so pensive. Guru Tegh Bahadur is said to have commented that he was facing a major challenge and, the problem demanded sacrifice by a great soul. At this, the young Gobind Rai is said to have exclaimed,” But who is greater than you?”. Guru Tegh Bahadur is said to have taken this as a hint from the Almighty and asked Pt Kripa Ram to tell Aurangzeb that they would follow their spiritual guru. 

Accordingly, a petition to this effect was sent to Aurangzeb through Zalim Khan, the governor of Lahore and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji received a farman from the bigot Aurangzeb to appear in person before him at Delhi. Knowing the mentality of Aurangzeb, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji realized that time had come for him to make the supreme sacrifice in Delhi, so, he anointed the young Gobind Rai as his successor before leaving Anandpur Sahib. Guru Tegh Bahadur was imprisoned once he refused to convert and finally beheaded as per Aurangzeb’s orders, in the Red Fort. Folklore has it that Gurudwara Sees Ganj in Chandni Chowk, Delhi has been built at the spot where Guru Ji’s Sees(head) fell (November 1975). Guru Tegh Bahadur is revered as Hind Ki Chaddar (the saviour of honour of India).

Once Guru Teg Bahadur ji attained martyrdom, Pt Kripa Ram Dutt returned to Anandpur Sahib to be with the young Guru Gobind Rai. Pt Kripa Ram is said to have entered service of the young Guru and helped him complete his education, teaching him Sanskrit over the next 15 years (1675-1690). Once Guru Gobind Rai created ‘Khalsa’ on March 30, 1699, Pt Kripa Ram too received baptism into Khalsa at Gurudwara Anandpur Sahib – he was now known as Kripa Singh in the tradition of Guru Gobind Rai who became Guru Gobind Singh after partaking Amrit! The Mughal army by now had become wary of the growing strength of the Khalsa army and surrounded the fort of Anandpur Sahib in December 1699. Mughal army, after months of siege, agreed to allow safe passage to the Guru, his family and associates but true to their character, they broke their promise and attacked the Guru from behind. In the melee that ensued, Guru Gobind Singh Ji got separated from his wife and two younger sons but his 40 close followers, including Kripa Singh were able to carry his two older sons, Sahebzada Ajit Singh and Sahebzada Jujhar Singh to the mud fort at Chamkaur where they took on the might of the Mughals once again. Kripa Ram Khalsa, born Pt Kripa Ram Dutt attained martyrdom in the Battle of Chamkaur Sahib on December 22, 1705. Along with his brother, Pt Sanmukh Ram Dutt, another Khalsa brave heart, he was cremated on December 25, 1705 at Chamkaur Sahib. With their sacrifice, the two brave brothers repaid a part of the debt Kashmiri Pandits owe to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and His family.

My painting is dedicated to this brave Kashmiri warrior cum scholar!

Ravi Dhar
Website:- http://www.artistravidhar.in