"The brave are those who fight for the sake of the oppressed."
- (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1412)

This eternal wisdom speaks to the heart of righteous action. The stories below explore this very theme through different lenses: a united front against a foreign invader, a passionate debate on the methods of resistance, and a nation’s awakening after a tragic loss.

⚔️ 1759 — The Misl Council of War

Sikh Misl leaders gathered to forge a unified front against Ahmad Shah Durrani’s impending invasion.

As the shadow of Ahmad Shah Durrani’s army once again loomed over Punjab, a crucial decision had to be made. To face the storm, the Sikh Misls (sovereign confederacies) would either stand together or risk falling apart.

In 1759, the leaders of the various Misls convened a Sarbat Khalsa (a collective assembly of Sikhs). The Afghan king was notorious for his brutal campaigns, and this was his fifth invasion. Setting aside internal rivalries, the chiefs recognized that only a united military command, the Dal Khalsa, could protect the people from slaughter and plunder.

This assembly was more than a military alliance; it was a powerful expression of Sikh sovereignty and collective will. It demonstrated that in times of existential threat, unity is the greatest strength. This principle of coming together for the greater good remains a cornerstone of Sikh identity.

Their decision reminds us that true leadership lies in uniting for a common cause, turning separate sparks into a raging fire.

📜 1922 — The Babbars' Bold Proclamation

The Babbar Akalis distributed leaflets at the Golden Temple, challenging the path of non-violence in the struggle for reform.

Not everyone agreed that passive resistance was the answer to British oppression and the corruption it enabled.

In the midst of the Gurdwara Reform Movement, a radical faction known as the Babbar Akalis emerged. On this day in 1922, they took their message to the heart of the Sikh world, distributing leaflets within the Parikarma (circumambulatory path) of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Their pamphlets fiercely criticized the mainstream SGPC's non-violent strategy, calling for armed resistance against the British and the corrupt Mahants (hereditary custodians) they supported.

This event reveals the passionate debates within the Sikh community during a pivotal time. It highlights the tension between different approaches to justice—patient protest versus direct action. The story serves as a reminder that the path to reform is rarely monolithic and often involves fervent internal dialogue about the best way forward.

It prompts us to consider the different forms that courage can take and the difficult choices people make when fighting for their beliefs.

🇮🇳 1920 — A Nation Roused by Tragedy

Mahatma Gandhi reflected on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, stating, “India rose through Jallianwala Bagh.”

Sometimes, the deepest tragedies become the most powerful catalysts for change and national awakening.

One year after the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, Mahatma Gandhi reflected on its profound impact. He powerfully stated that the brutality of that day, where British troops fired on unarmed civilians celebrating Vaisakhi, had awakened the conscience of India. The event became a defining national symbol of colonial oppression and Indian resilience.

Gandhi’s words captured a profound truth: the massacre transformed the struggle for independence from a political debate into a moral crusade. It exposed the raw, unapologetic violence of the British Raj, galvanizing millions across India and unifying them in their demand for freedom. The shared grief over the tragedy forged an unbreakable national resolve.

This reflection reminds us that the memory of injustice, while painful, can be a powerful and enduring fuel for the pursuit of a better future.