ਸਿਖ ਸੂਰਮਾ ਸਵਾ ਲਖ ਤੇ ਇਕੋ ਭਾਰੀ

Sikhs, as a community, have stood tall as a breed of warriors. From the gallant Gurus to the Indian Army, Sikhs have never backed down from going to war for the sake of humanity and the country. One of the many Sikh war cries is the famous ‘Sava Lakh Se Ek Ladaun Tabhi Gobind Singh Naam Kahaun’. You surely would have heard it loud and clear in the movies, but have you ever wondered where it came from? Here, this is the story behind it.

The saying came from the Supreme Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh ji during the Second War of Chamkaur Sahib, in 1705. Mughal Emperor and Hindu Hill Chiefs settled at a truce and a safe passage to leave Anandpur Sahib was offered to Guru Gobind Singh ji and his fellow Sikhs. While Guru Gobind Singh ji thought that the Mughals weren’t chasing them anymore, an informant had informed Wazir Khan about their movement. Hot on their heels, the Sikhs battled extreme weather while crossing the river.

Guruji along with only 40 of his followers was able to cross the river. Their entire army was now scattered. These 40 men took shelter in a small mud house called ‘Kachhi Garhi’. It didn’t take very long for the Mughal Army to surround the hiding. If the legend is to be believed, Guru Gobind Singh went against 10 lakh Mughal soldiers while having only 40 warriors on his side. The 40 Sikhs along with Guru Gobind Singh ji as the commander opened attack on the army. They fought till the lasts of the ammunition and when the ammo ran out. The Sikhs came out in batches of 5 and attacked the army that outnumbered them beyond belief. Each Sikh fought with the bravery of a lion and this situation brought true the prophecy of one of Guru Sahib Ji’s compositions:

“Call me Gobind Singh, only, when each of my Sikh will fight with more than one and a quarter lakh of enemy.”

“Sava Lakh Se Ek Ladaun Tabhi Gobind Singh Naam Kahaun”

The battle went down in the history as one of the greatest ever!

As told : By Shantanu Prasher

Photo: © Sikhblog (Main Image)