Jan-March 2006 - Institute of Sikh Studies

66ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH 2006 / 537-38 NSbitterest enemy of the Sikhs, was paradoxically their greatestbenefactor. He invaded India and helped destroy the Mughaladministration, then in 1761 he crushed the Maratha Power at Panipat,thereby creating a huge power vaccuum, which the Sikhs filled quiteadequately. Durrani tried his best to subdue the Sikhs and the Punjab,but retreated in the face of an relentless onslaught by the Sikhs. The12 Sardars occupied territory between the Jamuna and Indus, a looseintermingled mass of independent land, with fluid borders that shiftedconstantly.What strikes us with astonishment is that within a short span ofabout 50 years (1708-1760’s), Sikhs had gone from being chased frompillar to post, hunted down like wild animals, with a price of Rupees80 on each Sikh man, woman and child, sleeping on horseback, andalways on the go, to being established rulers of the land.If we take a real close look at the situation: The problems wefaced then and those we face now are not so much different. Then,we were physically hunted down, and killed. The Sikhs weresurrounded by enemies on all sides, and daily existence was a challenge.Thus the “problems” and “dangers” were more well-defined, and visible.Today the situation is not so clear-cut. The dangers the Panth facesare not as cut and dried. Apostasy is rearing its ugly head insidiouslyamong the youth, and today has reached the middle-aged and eventhe elderly Sikhs. Gurbani is being questioned, misinterpreted andmisrepresented, and useless and empty rituals as opposed to moralityand high living are on the upbeat. “Truth is High, but higher still istruthful Living”, declared Guru Nanak. But today this rings hollow inthe Sikh context. We don’t have many leaders that subscribe to truthor truthful living.In the 1920’s, the Sikh nation faced the very same situation aswe face today. We overcame the odds and gained the crown in the1760’s and again in changed circumstances in the 1920’s, and we cando it again today – if we follow the same Rules and Systems we usedthen.1. The Punj Piaras were accepted by all, irrespective of status, asSupreme. No one from the commonest Sikh foot soldier to the Sardar/Chief/ even the Maharaja dared to question the Punj Piara’s verdict2. The Misls met twice a year without fail and all decisions were