Indian Antiquary Vol 55

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 82

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ APRIL., 1928
It does not seem that Hargovind remained long at Kartarpur, which was situated in the Jalandhar Doab between the Ravi and the Beas.78 He continued his journey, crossed the Beas and "pitched his camp on the tumulus of an ancient village". Hargovind decided that this was a very suitable site for the foundation of a city, and ordered that the foundation should be laid out immediately and the whole work completed without delay. But the landlord and chauduri of the place appears to have raised difficulties. His son, Ratan Chand, complained to the Subahdar of Jalandhar, and a small army was sent against the Guru. Hargovind, however, succeeded in beating it back, and the city of Sri Hargovindpur was then founded. T9
After this Hargovind appears to have remained in peace for some time, but his restless character again involved him in hostilities with the Muhammadan government. It is said that two masands named Bakht Mal and Tara Chand were bringing two horses "of surpassing beauty and fleetness" for the Guru, but these again were seized by the Emperor's officials. An ardent follower of the Guru, named Bidhi Chand, who had formerly been a notorious highWayman and robber, and whose exploits in that capacity are described by the Sikh chroniclers in great detail, succeeded in recovering the horses from the Emperor's stable at Lahore. Thereupon the Emperor sent an army against the Guru. Hargovind thought it prudent "to seek shelter in some advantageous position," and he is said to have retired to the wastes of Bhatinda, south of the Sutlej, where it might be useless or dangerous to follow him.80 There, near the village of Lahira, a great battle is said to have been fought, in which again the imperialists were completely routed. The date of the battle is given as 16th of Maghar, Sambat 1688 (A.D. 1631).81
Mohsun Fani does not make any clear reference to the two actions described above. But he says that before and after the battle of Kartarpur, the last of Hargovind's battles against the Moghul Government, "Le encountered great dangers of war." As the battle of Amritsar is definitely referred to, it seems that in the meantime, i.e., between the first battle, that of Amritsar and the last battle, that of Kartarpur, the Guru had had to engage in some other minor actions. And the remark," with the aid of God he escaped unhurt, though he lost his property,"82 seems to indicate that he did not meet with decisive reverses. Mohsun Fani's remark, however, may as well refer to the personal safety of Hargovind; but, nevertheless, it is to be noticed that Hargovind's last battle was fought at Kartarpur, and therefore it is clear that after the battle of Lahira Hargovind found himself strong enough to leave his retreat and return to the plains. It is thus difficult to say what actually happened. The Sikh accounts state that "the Guru allowed Hasan Khan to return to Lahore with the survivors of the imperial army.”83 It does not seem probable that the Guru wil. lingly allowed them to retire. Hargovind had taken up his position in a very advantageous place. "The Guru's army was so disposed round the only tank in the area that when the enemy arrived they could not obtain access to its water, and thus must inevitably perish from thirst." 84 It appears that the imperialists could not cope with the natural difficulties of the situation and the Guru succeeded in compelling them to retire.
After this Hargovind "watched his opportunity" and soon returned to Kartarpur. He appears to have lived for some time in peace, but troubles again commenced through the defection of Painda Khan. Who this Painda Khan was, we do not definitely know. On
78 Macauliffe, ibid., vol. III, p. 26.
TA-Ibid., vol. IV, pp. 102-119; Panih Prakash, p. 115; Itihas Guru Khalua, pp. 160-166. See also Macauliflo's foot-note on p. 104.
+ Cunningham, ibid., p. 58. 81 Macauliffe, ibid., vol. IV, pp. 179-188; Panth Prakash, p. 117. 81 Dabistan, vol. II, p. 276.
93 Macaulifto, ibid., vol. IV, p. 186, Macauliflo, toid., vol. IV, p. 179; Panu Prakaal, p. 117.