Lehal Library

Banda Bahadur 99 Although the Guru had specifically restricted his role to that of military commander of a punitive expedition,5 Banda widened it to embrace a spiritual ministry as well. Crowds began to flock to his camp; men in anns to join his colours; women to seek his blessings for their families.◄ He preached sermons and gave benedictions. Having an avowed contempt for worldly goods, he gave away the offerings people placed before him. As stories of his piety and generosity spread, more men and money began to pour in. Encouraged by the response, Banda issued a proclamation offering protection to any one 'threatened by thieves, dacoits or highway robbers, troubled by Mohammedan bigots, 01 in any way subjected to injustice or ill-treatment. '5 The proclamation was like a spark in a highly inflammable situation. The peasants of Malwa rose against the zamindars and local officials. Banda opened the floodgates to a sea of pent-up hatred, and all he could connection wilh the late Guru Gobind Singh until much later. In the Bahiidur Shah Niima dated 17 November 1708 there is a report regarding 'Th'c disposal of the movable property left by Guru Gobind Nanak... . It was considerable and according to rule ought to be confiscated. The Emperor with the remark that he was not in favour of sequestering the goods of a darvd, ordered the whole to be relinquished to the heirs.... One ~it Singh, who passed as the Guru's son, was brought to the Emperor, was invested with a robe of honour, and taken into imperial service.• (This Ajit Singh was an adopted son of Mata Sundari. He was later exeaued in Delhi.) 8 Gyani Gyan Singh in his Panth PraJtM has Banda claim the following mission: To wreak vengeance on the Turk hath the Guru sent me who am his slave. I will kill and ruin Wazira's household; I will plunder and rob Sirhind. I will avenge the ffilll'ders of tb.e Guru's sons, then destroy the chieftains of the hills. When all these I have accomplished, then know me as Banda, the Slave of the Guru. 4 'Those who asked for sons he blessed with sons; to those who asked for milk he gave milch cattle. H any one came stricken with pain, he prayed for him and removed his suffering....' (Ratan Singh Bhangu, Praan Panih Prakas, p. 94.) 5 Sohan Singh, BaiuJ.a Singh Bahiidur, p. 59.