Lehal Library

Persecution and Reorganization Jl7 attempt to apotheosize him. The differences between the two groups found expression in matters of trivial detail,4 but, as is usual with frustrated people, the trivialities assumed unwarranted importance. This led to squabbling and then to an open fight to gain control over the Harimandir in Amritsar (the government having in the meantime relaxed its measures and allowed Sikhs access to the temple). The position became serious enough for the leading Sikhs to appeal to Mata Sundari for intervention. In AD 1721, she sent Bhai Mani Singh to Amritsar to take charge of the Harimandir. The bandai gave up their claim and, after a time, most of them threw in their lot with the tat khalsa. Once the internal squabbles were settled, the Sarbat Khalsa became a real force. Under its instnictions Jathedars formed small bands of outlaws~ and began taking villages near their mountain and jungle hideouts under their protection. The combined strength of the jathiis was enough to persuade Zakarya Khan, who, on the transfer of his father to Mullan, had become governor ofLahore, to try to conciliate the Sikhs. His envoy came to the meeting of the Sarbat Khalsa on the first of Baisakh AD l 733 and offered Dipalpur, Kanganwal, and Jhabal, which were worth a lac of nipees in revenue as a jiigir (estate). The offer was accepted with some reluctance and Kapur Singh,6 of village 4 Banda was a strict vegeLarian and had introduced the war cnes '/aid,. darsan· or '/aim d.Jwnna' io preference to the 01thodox 'viih f{UTU ji lti fauh'. He was also said to have baptized people by che ceremony of caran pahuJ., where the iniLiatc dmnl water touched b~· Banda's foot instead oflbe amrit stirred by Lhc dagger. Tbert" were manv other splinter groups of Sikhs al the ttme, of which the G1illib Riuiis (followers of Guiab Rai, a cousin of Gum Gobind Singh), Garigil .Vll1iiis (followers of Gang11. a disciplt" of Guru Amar Das) and Lhe flandiilius (followers of Handal, also a disciple of the lhird guru). later know11 as Niranjaniiis, were notable. In adclition, there were also followers of Prithi Chand (Mmiis/, Dhirmal (Dhfmutliiis) and Ram, Rai (Ram Riiias). f> A name which became a legend in the countryside was Tara Singh of the village of Van, who looced many district treasuries. His band of desperadoes was liquidated in I i26. By then many more bands of Sikh outlaws were operating in difft-rent parts of the prm1nce.