53rd Sikhs [3rd Battalion] of the 12th Punjab Frontier Force - Colloquially known as the Indian Mutiny, Sepoy Insurrection or the Revolt of 1857, the rebellion itself can not necessarily be attributed to a singular cause. Rather, it is agreed upon by historians that it was due a build up of societal factors that were enforced by the then East India Company [not yet under direct control of London]. India, through their education, loves to portray this rebellion as the ‘First War of Independence’, although scholars argue it could be the furthest from that label. The tipping point however, can be seen from when the British had introduced the new M1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket to their Indian colonial regiments. The new rifle was a muzzle-loading rifle which could only be reloaded 1 bullet at a time. The problem however, was not with the gun but what came with the gun - the cartridge in which the gunpowder was stored. In order to be efficient with the weapon, it was expected that the sepoys would hold the gun facing upwards with one hand & rip open the gunpowder cartridge via their mouth while held in the other hand. The cartridges however, were sealed with either cow fat or pig fat. As expected, many of the sepoys were either Hindu or Muslim. For Hindus, consuming any sort of trace of meat, especially from a cow, was deemed as immoral as many were vegetarian of the time. For Muslims, allowing any entry of pork into the body is an ultimate sin. Thus, deemed as the final straw of British enforcement, the regiments rose against the British - mainly concentrated in the United Provinces [North-Central India]. Realizing that the new rifle was incorporated into the Sikh Regiments of Punjab with little to no retaliation, the British mobilized them to help put down the rebellion. The results of the loss of the rebellion would be huge in terms of the future of the subcontinent. Many social & political changes would be put in place - the biggest being the implementation of several martial races acts. Above are 3 veteran Sikhs in 1911 who were deployed to put down the rebellion.

22nd Sam Browne’s Cavalry of the 12th Cavalry in the Punjab Frontier Force - Originally 1 of 5 regiments of the Punjab Cavalry in 1849, the 22nd Cavalry was raised by British Lieutenant Samuel J. Browne in Lahore, Punjab. Eventually, the cavalry unit would be incorporated into the famous Punjab Frontier Force - colloquially known as the “Piffers”. The British-Punjabi contingent was on its march from Kandahar to Kabul, passing via Ghazni - the birthplace of Bhai Nand Lal Singh Goya [1633-1713]; perhaps the most prolific of 52 poets in the 10th Nanak’s Darbar & author of the Zindginama. All of the native regiments present at the battle were Punjabi except for one Gurkha battalion. Fighting alongside other noted battalions such as the 25th Punjabis & 52nd Sikhs, the combined British-Punjabi force would be victorious against the Afghanis loyal to the Emir as only 17 entire deaths would be recorded as losses from the battle.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਜੋ ਚਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਤੀ ਰਲਿਆ ॥

ستگور کے بھانے جو چلے ہرِ سیتی رلیا ۔۔

One who walks in harmony with The Will of The True Guru is blended with The Lord.

ਜਮਕਾਲੁ ਜੋਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਈ ਘਟਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਬਲਿਆ ॥

جمکالُ جوہِ ن سکئی گھٹِ چاننُ بلیا ۔۔

The Messenger of Death cannot even see him; his heart is illuminated with God’s Light.

2nd Nanak Guru Angad Dev in Sri Guru Granth Sahib – [Raag Sarang] Ang 1,245.

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ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਰੁ ਨਿਸਿ ਬਾਸੁਰ ਮਹਿ ਨਿਮਖ ਏਕ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰੈ ॥

رام نامُ نرُ نسِ باسر مہہ نمکھ ایک ارِ دھارے ۔۔

One who enshrines The Lord’s Name in his heart; night & day – even for an instant,

ਜਮ ਕੋ ਤ੍ਰਾਸੁ ਮਿਟੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਹ ਅਪੁਨੋ ਜਨਮੁ ਸਵਾਰੈ ॥੩॥੨॥

جم کو تراسُ مٹے نانک تہ اپنو جنمُ سوارے ۔۔3۔۔2۔۔

has his fear of Death eradicated. O Nanak, his life is approved & fulfilled.

9th Nanak Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Sri Guru Granth Sahib – [Raag Raamkali] Ang 902.

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WWII [1939-1945]: Dal Khalsa Fauj / Various Punjab & Sikh Regiments - Even though the times have changed, the message remains the same. One can only become an Akali, an immortal, once death is embraced - not merely accepted. The two hymns shared above were written perhaps more than a century apart. Even so, the composer still remains the same. The mindset of the soldier should always be in question, never the uniform. As such, the call to bear arms was justified. What made Mughal oppression any different? Only because it was in Punjab? The Axis powers wreaked havoc in whatever domain they found themselves in. From Nazi-German oppression in continental Europe, to Fascist-Italian oppression in North Africa to Imperial Japanese oppression across the Pacific. The Khalsa (Sikh Military Order of The Pure Ones) was founded to destroy injustice everywhere, regardless of the oppressor - based on principles prior to its inception. Amritdhari or not, all should strive to uphold these principles to the highest degree. These divine duties are expected to be upheld by all members of the Sarbat Khalsa & Guru Panth [the 12th Guru]. Doing so makes us all soldiers of Guru Ji's Dal Khalsa Fauj, in one way or another.

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“ਤਿਆਰ ਬਰ ਤਿਆਰ ਰਹੋ।”

“تیار بر تیار رہو۔”

“Be prepared.” – Remain armed as the 6th Nanak has bestowed upon you the right to do so.

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