"My hair is inseparable from my scalp."

— Bhai Taru Singh

This profound statement of faith encapsulates the unwavering commitment of individuals who faced immense adversity. It serves as a powerful introduction to today's historical accounts, which explore pivotal moments of sacrifice, political upheaval, and the persistent quest for Sikh sovereignty.

🗓️ 1745 — Bhai Taru Singh’s Martyrdom 🙏

Bhai Taru Singh's martyrdom exemplifies unwavering Sikh faith, as he chose to have his scalp removed rather than cut his sacred Kesh.

In 1745, Bhai Taru Singh, a devout Sikh from the village of Poohla, was arrested under the orders of Zakaria Khan, the Mughal governor of Lahore. He was accused by a government informant, Harbhagat Naranjania, of providing aid and rations to Sikh warriors who were resisting the governor's oppressive rule.

When brought before Zakaria Khan, Bhai Taru Singh frankly admitted to supporting his fellow Sikhs, viewing it as his religious duty. The Nawab ordered him to convert to Islam and cut his Kesh (uncut hair), a sacred article of the Sikh faith. Upon his refusal, Zakaria Khan ordered that Bhai Taru Singh's scalp be forcibly removed with his hair intact.

Bhai Taru Singh endured the torture but stated that the Nawab would suffer and die before him. As historical accounts record, Zakaria Khan subsequently suffered a painful illness and died on July 1, 1745. Bhai Taru Singh passed away on the same day upon hearing the news, his sacrifice becoming a powerful symbol of Sikh resistance and devotion.

🗓️ 1839 — Dethronement of Maharaja Khadak Singh 👑

The overthrow of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's successor initiated a period of intense political instability and betrayal within the Sikh Empire.

In 1839, only three months after the death of the powerful Maharaja Ranjit Singh, his successor and eldest son, Maharaja Khadak Singh, was dethroned. This event was orchestrated by a powerful faction at the Lahore court, led by the Dogra brothers. The coup marked a critical turning point, signaling the beginning of the Sikh Empire's decline.

The Dogras, particularly Dhian Singh Dogra, accused the Maharaja's chief advisor, Chet Singh Bajwa, of treason and of conspiring to align the Sikh Empire with the British. Using this pretext, they stormed the royal quarters, murdering Chet Singh Bajwa in the Maharaja's presence. Following this violent act, Maharaja Khadak Singh was placed under arrest and effectively removed from power.

This dethronement triggered a tragic series of political intrigues, assassinations, and power struggles among the Sikh nobility. The internal disunity and violence severely weakened the Sikh Empire, making it vulnerable to external threats and contributing to its eventual annexation by the British a decade later.

🗓️ 1968 — Unification of Akali Dals 🕊️

The merger of the two main Akali factions into the Shiromani Akali Dal consolidated Sikh political aspirations in post-partition India.

In 1968, the two major factions of the Sikh political party, the Master Akali Dal and the Sant Akali Dal, formally merged to form the unified Shiromani Akali Dal. This event was a significant development in Sikh politics within the context of modern India. The unification aimed to present a single, cohesive political voice for the Sikh community, or Panth.

The merged entity redefined its political goals, reaffirming the principle of “Raj Karega Khalsa” (The Khalsa shall rule). A key document from this period articulated the political objective as establishing a “sovereign Sikh People, within a free country.” This was interpreted as securing an autonomous constitutional status for Sikhs within a demarcated territory within the Indian union.

This political resolution sought to balance the distinct sovereign identity of the Sikh people with the territorial integrity of India. The new doctrine drew parallels with federal systems where distinct national or ethnic groups coexist within a larger sovereign state. The merger thus set a new course for Sikh political aspirations for decades to come.