For 200 years Sikhs wore bearskin caps on official duty. But Jatinderpal Singh Bhullar was given permission to wear his religious headdress instead. History was made at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday when a Sikh soldier became the first guardsman to wear a turban instead of a traditional bearskin. Britain’s Ministry of Defence says a Sikh soldier has become the first guardsman to parade outside Buckingham Palace while wearing his traditional turban.

Bhullar, a 27-year-old soldier with the Scots Guards regiment, was quoted by Britain’s Press Association as saying: “Conducting public duties while being a practicing Sikh and wearing my turban is a great honor for me.” Other Sikhs have taken part in guarding the queen’s palace, but they wore traditional bearskin hats rather than turbans.
There had been some backlash against Bhullar’s desire to wear his turban while on duty and this exemption from wearing the bearskin was criticized by some former members of his regiment, the London Evening Standard reported. But Singh had strong public support and the backing of the Ministry of Defense.

“We welcome the additional diversity,” said his Commanding Officer, Lt. Colonel Robert Howieson. “I am very proud to be a member of the Household Division and to be the first Sikh Guardsman to mount guard in a turban will be the best thing in my life, especially as a member of the Scots Guards,” Bhullar said. “The regiment is full of history, as is my religion.”

~ Source: ibnlive.in.com

The inaugural award show honored diverse personalities across the UK who positively contributed to society. After the award was given to Mr Fauja Singh, guests on stage started to dance and that’s when he put on his Bhangra moves and stole the show.

The audience stood up and clapped to see the 103-year-old running legend putting some dance moves.

~ Source: Daily Sikh Update

A museum assistant from Thetford is hoping to help expand our knowledge of the Sikh world and its links to the UK after being granted funding for a special trip to India. Karen-Emma White, a museum learning assistant at the Ancient House Museum since 2006, is heading to Amritsar and Chandigarh in Punjab for two weeks.

The trip will see the 43-year-old work with academics, curators and historians to learn about figures such as Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire, and the Maharajah Duleep Singh, the empire’s last ruler who lived on the Elveden Estate. She will also visit a number of sacred and key sites in Sikh culture, joined by Government figures. She said that the trip would help the museum develop its understanding of Sikh links to Thetford.

“It will be a study trip and a lot of work but I’m hoping we can improve our knowledge of Sikh heritage and increase our access to artefacts of international importance.

“There’s also a chance to ask them what they think of our current displays and how we can take them forward,” she said. The Ancient House Museum’s strong ties with the Maharajah Duleep Singh stem from his son, Prince Frederick, who was a benefactor to it. Ms White said she hoped the trip would help inform the museum’s expansion of its Duleep Singh display, with plans to open a new exhibition by 2017.

She will also be exploring the possibility of opening a virtual exhibition on the museum’s website, featuring some of the collections of the Punjabi museums as inspiration. The museum’s 90th birthday dinner in December saw figures from across the Sikh world, including Simon Singh MBE, musician Satinder Sartaaj, and author Anita Anand, attend to book the museum’s efforts.

~ Source: Source: http://www.edp24.co.uk/

This is the first in a series of articles that will detail Guru Nanak’s travels in far off lands. This article details his travels to Singapore and the empire of Majapahit.

Guru Nanak travels to watery lands east of India

Janamsakhi Bhai Bala mentions Guru Nanak having visited Brahmpur.

1. Giani Gyan Singh mentions: “From Manipur he (Guru Nanak) left for Salmaladvipa…and sat in a garden by the side of a pond in Brahmpur
2. According to Dr Kohli: The name Brahmpur mentioned in Janamsakhi appears to connote Burma…”. Gyani Lal Singh Sangrur mentions of Guru Nanak’s visit to Burma and states “Burma… had a follower of Buddha as the king. When he heard that Guru Nanak preaches that all belong to One and the only One God who is the Creator of the entire universe, he found this to be against Buddhism. To stop this, he proceeded ferociously to punish Guruji. Seeing Guru Nanak and listening to his sermon however he mellowed down and fell at Guru’s feet”.
3. Dr Arjan Singh Mann mentions; “He (Guru Nanak) travelled through Tibet, China, Japan , Java, Sumatra, Philippine and Manipur states through Burma.
4. Burma, these days known as Myanmar is the country along Eastern border of India. As per Joginder Singh Sahi and Gurdham Didar
5. Guru Nanak visited Singapore (in Burma) in 1516 AD (Samvat 1573. Sahi gives the photograph of the Gurdwara to commemorate his visit to Singapore.

Background on Singapore

When the prince Sri Tri Buana (also known as Sang Nila Utama), who landed on the island (of Singapore) during the 13th century, saw a lion the prince took this as an auspicious sign and founded a settlement called Singapore, which means “Lion City” in Malay. . In the 1390s, Palembang prince, Parmeswara, who ruled Singapore fled to Temasek after being deposed by the Majapahit kingdom. During the 14th century, Singapore was caught in the struggle between Siam (now Thailand) and the Java-based Majapahit Empire for control over the Malay Peninsula. According to Sejarah Melayu, Singapore was defeated in one Majapahit attack. He ruled the island for several years, before being forced to Melaka where he founded the Sultanate of Malacca Sultanate of Malacca. Singapore became an important trading port of the Malacca Sultanate  and later the Sultanate of Johor. In the early 15th century, Singapore was a Thai vassal state, but the Malacca Sultanate which Iskandar had founded quickly extended its authority over the island. After the Portuguese seizure of Malacca in 1511, the Malay admiral fled to Singapore and established a new capital at Johor Lama, keeping a port officer in Singapore.

Guru Nanak deems king the ruler of 100 islands

Janamsakhi Bhai Bala (JS BB) edited by Dr Surinder Singh Kohli also mentions that Guru Nanak visited Kings Sudhar Sain, Madhur Bain and Kawal Nain. “Guru Nanak bestowed the kingdom of 100 islands in 3 continents to Sudhar Sain on the recommendation of Inder Sain. These islands were ruled by 18 kings. (p.176) Eighth-century Chinese records identify 18 Pyu states throughout the Irrawaddy valley. This Empire was earlier ruled by Kawal Nain son of Sur Sidh Misr/Brahman by caste. (p.198). Guru Nanak travelled for seven months and thirteen days to Swanrnpur, the capital of the kingdom of Kawal Nain which could be seen from 4 cosa from sea. The empire of Kawal Nain was spread in 7700 jojan. It had 18 vessel states in 3 continents ruled by 17 kings under him. These were: (a). Madhurbain (b). Sudharsain (c).Naga Paras Ram (d) Sukh Sagar (e). Raja Atika Ghatika (f). Sukhchain (g). Budh Bibek Balka (h). Asrapnah (j). Sudh Sobhalka (k). Sagar Sain (l). Raja Nain Jot (m). Bir Bain (n).Raja BalSanghar (o) Lal Chain (p). Raja Turtrang (q). Rai Ain (r) Raja Magan Rai (s) Kawal Nain

The powerful Majapahit empire could be the empire of 100 islands

The ruler of 100 islands is not found mentioned in any of the resource materials. However Nagarakertagama (Desawarñana) claimed for Majapahit an empire of 98 tributaries, stretching from Sumatra to New Guinea….. Majapahit fleets periodically visited many parts of the archipelago to obtain formal submission, or that the splendour of the Majapahit court led many regional rulers to send it tribute, in much the same way as they sent tribute to China, without any intention of submitting to orders from eastern Java. The trading power of Majapahit gave it a powerful sanction against defiant rulers. The eastern Java kingdom established especially close trading links with pepper suppliers in Sumatra and with other spice-producing regions in eastern Indonesia. It is probably best, therefore, to assess Majapahit’s claims of empire as representing real authority, with the proviso that such authority never gave Majapahit significant administrative power outside Java, Bali and Madura.

Background on the Majapahit empire

Majaapahit was an Indianized kingdom based in eastern Java from 1293 to around 1527. Its greatest ruler was Hayam Wuruk, whose reign from 1350 to 1389 marked the empire’s peak, when it dominated other kingdoms in the southern Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Bali, Kalimantan and eastern Indonesia, and the Philippines Majapahit Empire was the last of the major Hindu empires of the Malay Archipelago and is considered one of the greatest states in Indonesian history. Majapahit society developed a high degree of sophistication in both commercial and artistic activities. Its capital was inhabited by a cosmopolitan population among whom literature and art flourished. It had a thriving cash economy based on rice cultivation and trade which supported a wide variety of industries and professions. Around 1527 it succumbed to the Sultanate of Demak.
Guru Nanak recognizes the kings humility

As per Janam Sakhi Bhai Bala: The king did not want his people to bow before him. He did not go to any one himself but whatever he said was done. Guru Nanak said, “It is time of everyone. All are God’s Creation. They are as God’s creation as I am. We are not going to sleep in his protection but we must see him. The king who has won over pride; I have placed Sudhar Sain over him. Let us see what God does.” (JS BB, p.196). There have been records to show that Guru Nanak visited China and the place ‘Nanking’ is named after Guru Nanak’s name’. In various Janamsakhis also, the accounts are available describing Guru Nanak’s journey to ‘Brahampur’, ‘Silmila Dweep’  and numerous other Dvipas (Islands). His journey by sea is well explained by Dr. Kohli, which leaves no doubt that Guru Nanak visited the islands of 3 continents.

Majapahit kingdom thus fits into the explanation of Bhai Bala Janamsakhi hence discussed in detail further.

The Majapahit Empire was based in eastern Java and ruled much of the Southern Malay, Borneo, Sumatra, and Bali from about 1293 to around 1527. This Hindu-Buddhist state emerged as a trading Empire by the end of the 13th century and gained control over much of the archipelago, including Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, Maluku, Sumbawa, Lombok, and Timor. Majapahit Kingdom was the last great Hindu-Buddhist Kingdom of Indonesia, whose influence started to decline in the late 14th century and early 15th centuries. The Kingdom finally collapsed at the beginning of the 16th century.

During the reign of Hayam Wuruk (1350-1389) there were 12 provinces of Majapahit, administered by king’s close relatives. When Majapahit entered the imperial phase during the administration of Gajah Mada, several overseas vassal states were included within the Majapahit sphere of influence,(presumed to be 18 or more as per Janamsakhi!) as the result the new larger territorial concept was defined. Some of the important states under Majapahit were Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, Maluku, Sumbawa, Lombok, and Timor. Other states associated with the kingdom included Sunda, Malay, and Burma.

The model of political formations and power diffusion from its core in Majapahit capital city that radiates through its overseas possessions was later identified by historians as “mandala” model. The term mandala derived from Sanskrit “circle” to explain the typical ancient Southeast Asian polity that was defined by its centre rather than its boundaries, and it could be composed of numerous other tributary polities without undergoing administrative integration. These areas usually had their own indigenous rulers, enjoyed substantial autonomy and had their own political institution intact without further integration into Majapahit administration. The same mandala model also applied to previous empires; Srivijaya and Angkor and also Majapahit’s neighboring mandalas; Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) and Champa. The king was the paramount ruler, as the chakarvartin he was considered as the universal ruler and believed to be the living god on earth. The king held the highest political authority and legitimacy.

This system of governance fits into the description of Kawal Nain’s kingdom and his administration system as explained in Janamsakhi Bhai Bala.

A brief of the travels to Majapahit as per Janam Sakhi Bhai Bala are as follows:

Starting from Patna in boat/ship in Ganga, Guru Nanak went to Dacca and Chittagong from where he reached Singapore in Tenassarim region of Majapahit kingdom. ‘Guru Nanak reached Asrapan (Tenassarim) an island in the ocean after a journey of fifteen days and fifteen nights. Since Chittagong was under the control of king of Sondeep and later under Arakan and not under Majapahit, it is not being considered here as Bisiar Des. Manipur and Cachar are not islands and were not under the influence of Majapahit hence these too are not considered. After Chittagong, the only state which comes first under the influence of Majapahit is Tennasarim, the Southern part of Burma where Singapore is the main city. This mountain chain is named after the Tenasserim Region (Tanintharyi) in Burma and its name in Thai is Thio Khao Tanaosi, also spelt as Tanawsri, Tanao Sri, Tanaw Sri or in Malay as Tanah Seri. Asparan or Sparan are the jackfruit grown along Tenasserim. There were frequent travels from Chittagong to Tennasarim en route to east Asian and China. Niccolò de’ Conti (1395-1469) travelled from Sumatra to Tennasarim and then to the mouth of Ganges (Dacca) and it took him 16 days. Tennasarim is an island and was then under Majapahit Empire. It takes about the same time to travel to Tennasarim from Patna as Niccolo de Conti took a few years earlier. Giani Lal Singh Sangrur mentions: Guru ji visited Rangoon and Mandley etc. Buddhism had large impact in this area. He held discussions with famous religious leaders.”  Thus Tennasarim is considered here to be the country of Jhanda Badhi and the place visited as Singapore and other locations in Burma and other countries of East Asia.

Guru Nanak is hosted by friendly empire and gives honor to the ruler

While in Tennasarim, Inder Sain guided Guru Nanak to Jhanda Badhi a saintly person with courtesy. The Guru and his companions were received well and given good food and provided staying arrangements by Jhanda Badhi. The Guru blessed Jhanda Badhi to be the head preacher of entire East Asia. Inder Sain established a great rapport with the Guru. He too was blessed by the Guru. As the King Sudhar Sain got the news of Guru Nanak’s arrival, He said, “A saint has come to my city that has been accepted as Guru by Jhanda Badhi. Please bring him to me”. Inder Sain his nephew proceeded to Guru Nanak with fruits and gifts. Bowing before him he gave whatever he had brought. He prayed to the Guru “Sir, the king is eagerly waiting for you. You must bless him”. Blessing Sudhar Sain, Guru Nanak sang a hymn in Raag Bilawal, ‘Mite aandh agg gaya bikara, Aisa sahib (meet the great Lord, whom we love). Guru Nanak blessed Sudhar Sain and bestowed upon him the kingdom of 100 islands ruled by eighteen kings. He ruled three continents on the name of Guru Nanak and became a great person ….Guru Nanak stayed with king Sudhar Sain and Jhanda Badhi for one month on the request of Inder Sain.

Gurdwaras today

Central Sikh Temple Wadda Gurdwara (originally constructed in 1912 and later developed in a new location on Towner Road in 1986) and the Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road (originally constructed in 1881 and later shifted at a new location on Silat Road in 1924) are the two official accepted Gurdwaras. The Samadhi of Bhai Mahraj Singh the first freedom fighter of India and also the Sikhs who started the independent movement against the British in 1934, the very year the British took over Punjab. Though There are number of gurdwaras in Singapore yet none of them relates itself to Guru Nanak’s visit to the place. No one even acknowledges that Guru Nanak visited Singapore. It is thus very important to locate the places visited by Guru Nanak in Singapore and adjoining Tannesarim area, the port Guru Nanak is likely to have visited. It is also very important that the Sikhs must unite to live and leave the divide of Doaba, Majha and Malwa which has already harmed the Sikhs a lot. Now Sikhs do not belong to these regions of Punjab, they belong to the entire world and can be seen any all over and belong to almost all communities and are from all colours whites, blacks, brown, yellow…In the Gurdwara they are just sangat of the Guru. Guru Nanak moved all over the world to give the message of universal God and unity of humanity in God. Sikhs must follow this from the core of their heart to be real Sikhs.

~ by Col Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal
~ dalvinder1945@gmail.com
~ Source: Sikhnet.com

Armed Forces minister Mark Francois says unit would inherit many of the ‘proud traditions of Sikh regiments’ from the Army’s past.

The head of the British Army is looking at proposals to recreate a Sikh regiment, a minister has said. The Chief of the General Staff is examining the feasibility of a Sikh unit, including the possibility of a reserve company, and it “may well have merit”, Mark Francois told the Commons.

A new unit would inherit many of the “proud traditions of Sikh regiments” from the Army’s past, he said. Thousands of Sikh soldiers served in the British Army in the 19th century and in the First and Second World Wars, and 10 Victoria Crosses have been won by soldiers serving in Sikh regiments. Reviving a Sikh unit has been suggested several times in the past. One recent attempt was abandoned in 2007 by the Ministry of Defense amid fears that the move would be branded racist. Speaking during defense questions in the Commons, Conservative former defense minister Sir Nicholas Soames urged ministers to “do away with political correctness” and raise a Sikh regiment.

He told Mr. Francois: “You will be aware of the extraordinary gallant and distinguished service by Sikhs to this country down the generations. “Would you not agree with me that it’s high time to do away with the political correctness which infects some of this thinking and actually raise a Sikh regiment to serve in the country and make up a very serious gap in our Armed Forces?”

Mr Francois, minister for the Armed Forces, replied: “With regard to your specific suggestion, can I say that you are one of a number of Members of Parliament who have raised this suggestion with me recently.”We have passed this possibility on to the chief of the general staff (CGS), who is now looking at this issue and we are awaiting CGS’s comments back. “But the idea may well have merit.” Conservative Rory Stewart, chairman of the Defense Select Committee, suggested a Sikh company within the reserves could be explored “as a starting point”.

He added: “There seems to be much more possibility within the reserves to begin what seems like an excellent idea.”

Mr Francois replied: “I said earlier the idea may have merit but we’ve looked at one specific option, or are looking, at the possibility of a reserve company – not least one which would inherit many of the proud traditions of Sikh regiments going back through many years in the British Army.

~ Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

A charter school with strong community support and participation that provides a rigorous, standards-based curriculum and individualized support for all children. A safe and compassionate learning environment that promotes love of learning among children while meeting their academic, social, and emotional needs. With a mission is to create an inspiring and challenging learning environment for children and to promote a culture of strong social and family values.

Principal Gibson is proud to serve at the school, “What is special about our school is that our students are wonderful. It is the first public charter school in the United States that has Punjabi as an enrichment foreign language. All of our students get 45 minutes of language, Punjabi. They learn to be very literate in Punjabi, they speak and they read…”

Charter schools are independent public schools with rigorous curriculum programs and unique educational approaches. In exchange for operational freedom and flexibility, charter schools are subject to higher levels of accountability than traditional public schools. Charter schools are tuition-free and open to all students, offer quality and choice in the public education system.

~ Source: Sikhnet

Rob Wilson, a British Member of the Parliament and Minister of the Civil Society visited a Gurdwara Sahib in the UK. He promised to support Sikh projects & support Sikhism. He held a copy of the Sikh Manifesto which was launched by the Sikh Federation UK last month that outlines the issues most concerning the Sikh community. While he was attending the Gurdwara the Chardi Kala Turban Academy tied a turban on him which he was very happy about and felt privileged to be the part of Sikh Culture by experiencing the Turban Pride.

Sikhs in the UK have prepared the first ever Sikh Manifesto for the political parties of Britain. Majority of the 700,000 Sikhs in the UK have a common agenda which they hope their respective political leaders will respond to.

There are many issues which need attention such as labeling of Sikhs as Asians, Britain recognizing the 1984 Sikh Genocide as a Genocide, raising voice against the turban ban in France and other important issues highlighted in the Sikh Manifesto.

~ Source: Daily Sikh Updates

ਅਗਨਤ ਸਾਹੁ ਅਪਨੀ ਦੇ ਰਾਸਿ ॥
ਖਾਤ ਪੀਤ ਬਰਤੈ ਅਨਦ ਉਲਾਸਿ ॥
ਅਪੁਨੀ ਅਮਾਨ ਕਛੁ ਬਹੁਰਿ ਸਾਹੁ ਲੇਇ ॥
ਅਗਿਆਨੀ ਮਨਿ ਰੋਸੁ ਕਰੇਇ ॥
ਅਪਨੀ ਪਰਤੀਤਿ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਖੋਵੈ ॥
ਬਹੁਰਿ ਉਸ ਕਾ ਬਿਸ੍ਵਾਸੁ ਨ ਹੋਵੈ ॥
ਜਿਸ ਕੀ ਬਸਤੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਆਗੈ ਰਾਖੈ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਮਾਨੈ ਮਾਥੈ ॥
ਉਸ ਤੇ ਚਉਗੁਨ ਕਰੈ ਨਿਹਾਲੁ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਸਦਾ ਦਇਆਲੁ ॥੨॥

“You, Yourself, are the Banker
Whose wealth cannot be measured,
And You bestow Your capital upon us.

Eating and drinking,
We use it for our pleasure.
Then, Banker, from the deposit You made,
You take something back,
Causing the ignorant mind
To become angry.

Because of that anger, we lose Your trust
And then our own confidence disappears.

Whatever your capital, place it
Before the One.

Trust and accept
The order of the Creator
On your forehead.
By doing so, you shall flourish
Four times over.

Oh Naanak,
The Master’s kindness extends forever.”

~ Sukhmani Sahib, Guru Arjan Dev Ji

When people ask me about prosperity from the perspective of the Guru, this passage by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Sukhmani sums it up perfectly. We only have what the Creator arranges for us to have. Nothing comes to us just because of own efforts. Everything comes as a gift.

Sometimes in life, there is loss. We had something. Then it is gone. The mind can get very confused in those moments. It can get angry. Guru Arjan Dev Ji sees this, but then explains that the anger we feel is the source of poverty. The anger makes us forget who the Real Giver is. When we get angry, we break the trust with the One who gave us life. And when the trust between the soul and the Creator is broken, then that creates a backlash. We loose confidence in ourselves. Like a child who gets angry with a parent but ultimately knows it needs the parent to survive, our mind knows deep inside we cannot live without having a trusting relationship with the Creator.

What is the solution, then? Guru Arjan Dev Ji speaks very beautifully about this. In Gurbani, the Guru explains that we are each born with certain things written on our forehead. In yogic terms, we say that whatever is destined for the soul is pre-recorded in the arc line. Those things that are written for us include a wide range of experiences. Yogi Bhajan, for instance, went from being born as a prince, to being a refuge after Partition. Then when he came to the West, he lost everything in the plane ride over. But by the time he reached his older years, he lived a consciously prosperous life. Gain and loss is not in our hands. It is in the hands of the One who made us. The trick is to surrender to it.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji gives a practical way out of the mind’s anger when it experiences loss. Take everything you own, place it before the One who gave it to you, and completely accept what is written in your arc line. The irony is, in that total surrender, you shall prosper four times over. As long as the mind is trained to trust and flow with hukam, with the will of the Divine, it opens the doors for incredible blessings to flow to you.

~ Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa
~ Source: Sikhnet.com

My sword is my companion my warrior and friend,
Not to be offensive but sworn to defend,
The infusion of steel runs through my veins,
Making me immune from sorrow and pain,
My sword is the protector of the needy and poor,
When oppression becomes a disease my sword is the cure,
My sword sings the song of selfless love,
It lives in harmony with law from above,
The flash of my Guru’s sword awakens the sleeping soul,
Without the sword I can never be whole,
The sword of the Guru is the giver of life,
Before the soul was barren now it is ripe,
I am the saint and the soldier that walks in peace,
I am the humble dust of your feet,
But don’t think my spirituality makes me weak,
The heavens will roar if my sword were to speak,
Death is my bride, fear is my friend,
My Guru’s path is the map heaven sent,
To follow the path, surrender your whole,
The power of the Guru’s sword will give light to your soul.

~ by Maninder Singh