04-30-2006, 09:58 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-30-2006, 09:59 PM by Bharatvarsh.)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->J.N. Sarkar's transcripts of the Jaipur Kapaddwara records contain a letter
that may be from Banda to Jai Singh of Amber. The letter begins with
Banda's characteristic salutation 'Fateh darshan and expresses the writer's
surprise at Jai Singh s having 'forsaken Hindu dharma, especially since
'Akal Purakh has commanded that the time of the Turks has reached its
end and it is the turn of the Hindus.' The letter states that 'the foundation
of dharma must be strengthened' and asks Jai Singh to join the writer in
marching on Delhi 'to kill the oppressive Turks.' It ends by stating that 'I
do not need sovereignty (shahi) but have been sent by Akal Purakh to
strengthen the foundations of dharma (National Library, Calcutta, Sarkar
transcripts, notebook 105, p. 2). The exact nature of the letter is
problematic, especially as the original is not listed in the latest catalogue
of the Kapaddwara collection (Bahura and Singh 1988). The grammar and
diction are occasionally irregular, and the transcription bears the name
"Guru Gobind' at the bottom, although it is unclear whether the words
are an addition by Sarkar or by a Jaipur scribe or record-keeper. It is of
course also possible that the letter represents a transcript of a forged letter
sent to Jai Singh in the name of Banda.
"Sikh Religion, Culture and Ethnicity by Christopher Shackle, Gurharpal Singh and
Arvind-pal Singh Mandair. Curzon Press, Richmond, Surrey." - Pg 44<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
that may be from Banda to Jai Singh of Amber. The letter begins with
Banda's characteristic salutation 'Fateh darshan and expresses the writer's
surprise at Jai Singh s having 'forsaken Hindu dharma, especially since
'Akal Purakh has commanded that the time of the Turks has reached its
end and it is the turn of the Hindus.' The letter states that 'the foundation
of dharma must be strengthened' and asks Jai Singh to join the writer in
marching on Delhi 'to kill the oppressive Turks.' It ends by stating that 'I
do not need sovereignty (shahi) but have been sent by Akal Purakh to
strengthen the foundations of dharma (National Library, Calcutta, Sarkar
transcripts, notebook 105, p. 2). The exact nature of the letter is
problematic, especially as the original is not listed in the latest catalogue
of the Kapaddwara collection (Bahura and Singh 1988). The grammar and
diction are occasionally irregular, and the transcription bears the name
"Guru Gobind' at the bottom, although it is unclear whether the words
are an addition by Sarkar or by a Jaipur scribe or record-keeper. It is of
course also possible that the letter represents a transcript of a forged letter
sent to Jai Singh in the name of Banda.
"Sikh Religion, Culture and Ethnicity by Christopher Shackle, Gurharpal Singh and
Arvind-pal Singh Mandair. Curzon Press, Richmond, Surrey." - Pg 44<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->