Shaheedi Profiles ft. Women: Bibi Harsharan Kaur - The last Shaheed of the Battle of Chamkaur
After the 72 hour long Battle of Chamkaur against a Mughal army of 10 lakh (1 million), which resulted in the Shaheedi of 36 of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj’s Singhs, as well as the Shaheedi of the elder Sahibzade - Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, a strong barrier was placed around the Fort of Chamkaur. As the soldiers went from village to village, making their announcements, the people of the villages were in terror and ran back to their homes to take shelter.
However, this wasn’t the story of every household. In a village called Khroond, a 16 year old fearless daughter of Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj, named Bibi Harsharan Kaur, asked her mother if she could perform the final rites for the Shaheeds of the Battle of Chamkaur. Her elderly mother replied back saying “it is total darkness outside and the soldiers are everywhere around the fort. How will you even go near?” Upon hearing this, Kalgidhar Dasmesh Pita Ji’s lioness responded by saying “I will avoid the soldiers and perform the cremation, and if need be, I’ll fight and die.”
Instead of stopping Bibi Harsharan Kaur, her mother encouraged her and hugged her tight. She went on to explaining the Maryada that Bibi Ji needed to follow for the cremation. Bibi Harsharan Kaur did Ardaas to Akaal Purakh Vaheguroo Ji and left for the Fort of Chamkaur.
The battlefield which previously saw iron striking against iron, hooves trotting and soldiers yelling “Kill! Capture!”, had now fallen silent and was engulfed by darkness. The young Bibi Harsharan Kaur moved along smartly, avoided the guards and finally reached the Fort.
Upon arriving at the Fort, Bibi Ji saw dead bodies lying everywhere and identifying the bodies of Sikhs seemed very difficult. However, she kept her faith in Maharaj and searched for wrists with karas around them, torsos with kacheras and heads with long kesh. She wiped the face of every Shaheed as she found their bodies. With her great determination, Bibi Ji found the bodies of Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, along with approximately 30 other Shaheeds. Being cautious of the of the approaching day light, Bibi Harsharan Kaur collected wood and worked rapidly to prepare a pyre, and then lit the fire.
The rising flames shocked the guards and caught their attention. They ran towards the pyre and saw Bibi Harsharan Kaur sitting next to the pyre. Sitting there, Bibi Ji recited Kirtan Sohila Sahib. The guards stood there, shocked and confused about how a sole woman managed to enter the fort on such a dark night. The guards then had the following conversation with Bibi Harsharan Kaur:
Guard: “Who are you?”
Bibi Ji: “I am the daughter of Guru Gobind Singh.”
Guard: “What are you doing here?”
Bibi Ji: “I am cremating my martyred brothers.”
Guard: “Don’t you know about the order that coming here is a crime?”
Bibi Ji: “I know it.”
Guard: “Then why have you disobeyed that order?”
Bibi Ji: “The orders of a false king do not stand before the orders of the Sachepatshah (True King)”
Guard: “Meaning?”
Bibi Ji: “Meaning that I have respect for the Singhs in my heart and with the Guru’s grace I have done my duty. I don’t care about your King’s orders.”
Upon hearing such fierce answers, the Mughals were infuriated and attempted to capture and attack her. However, being the true daughter of Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj, Bibi Harsharan Kaur grabbed her kirpan and fought back with determination. After killing and injuring many soldiers, she fell to the ground due to the injuries she obtained. The soldiers then burned Bibi Harsharan Kaur alive, by throwing her into the pyre. Bibi Ji became Shaheed while serving her Shaheed brothers.
The following day, story of Bibi Harsharan Kaur’s seva reached Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Talvandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib) and her elderly mother. Upon learning about her daughter’s unparalleled bravery and Shaheedi, Mata Ji thanked Akaal Purakh and said “my daughter has proven herself worthy.”
Till date, the incomparable seva and and Shaheedi of Bibi Harsharan Kaur continues being an inspiration to many young Singhs and Singhnia. May Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaj also bless us with the faith, determination and love Bibi Harsharan Kaur had for HER Panth - OUR Panth - the SIKH Panth.
Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Pyaare!