Malerkotla, a Muslim state is most respected house in Punjab. They have earned this gratitude by the action of their ancestors. When the younger Sahibzadas of GURU GOBIND SINGH JI were ordered to be bricked alive by the governor of Sarhind Wazir Khan, his close relative Sher Mohammed Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla who was present in the court, lodged vehement protest against this inhuman act and said it is against the glorious tenets of Koran and Islam and the history will never forgive them for this heinous crime. At this stage Wazir Khan thought of freeing the Sahibzadas but Sucha Nand, a diwan, court official of the Nawab and in realty a "snake in the grass" cautioned him that these innocent sons of Guru Gobind Singh will become the deadly snakes when they grow up so better crush their heads right now. Wazir Khan acquiesced and the Sahibzadas were tortured and bricked alive. At this the noble Nawab of Malerkotla walked out of the court in protest. Guru Gobind Singh ji on learning this kind and humanitarian approach recognised this as the victory of the Dharam and profusely thanked the Nawab of Malerkotla and blessed him with his Hukamnama, Kirpan etc. which are the prized possessions of the Malerkotla house. It is a historic fact that during the 1947 riots when the whole of Punjab was in flames it was the State of Malerkotla which did not witness a single incident of violence. It was in island of peace. This is the testimony to the fact that the power of religion or morality is much more strong and real than any other power. The last of the decedents of Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan, Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan died few years ago. On the occasion of the tercentenary celebrations his wife Sajida Begum has given the following letter which was in response to a book titled "Ik Khat Bhai Taru Singh De Waris De Naam" (iek Kq BweI qwrU isMG dy vwirs dy nwm…………….) penned by the author of these lines. In the letter though the First Lady of Malerkotla has sent greetings to the Sikhs on the occasion of the third centenary celebration of the birth of the Khalsa. But simultaneously she has also reminded the youth that the Sahibzadas sacrificed their life for the protection of their religion. Against the attack on religion by the state, she said, her ancestors had raised the voice of protest (hwA dw nwArw). But now when it is seen that the Sikh youth himself is outraging the honour and sanctity of his own religion by cutting, shaving and trimming, she once again raises the voice of protest (hwA dw nwArw) and pleads the Sikhs to remember the great sacrifices of the young Sahibzadas and abstain from any act which will deprive you from the blessings of the Lord Guru Gobind Singh ji. Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba. 24-Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, Jalandhar city 144 001. Phone: 0181+227665, E-mail: gslamba@jla.vsnl.net.in

SAJIDA BEGUM

SEAL

PH: Chandigarh 547320. Malerkotla 53326, 50627 Kothi No. 66, Sector 11 CHANDIGARH. RESI: SHISH MEHAL MALERKOTLA 148023

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