The bitter wind of the jungle was biting Ranjit Kaur's face. With no fear she quietly repeated 'Waheguru, Waheguru'. She looked through the trees at the magnificent setting sun, for a moment she forgot all about the war and was lost in the magic and mystery of the Creative Being.

The Jathedar had ordered Bibi ji to get important news from the SarPanch of the nearby village. She had to review important papers. The Khalsa forces were camped by a nearby lake. Small bands of Turkish soldiers were wandering around the lake looking for the Sikhs. This did not deter Ranjit Kaur. She fearlessly went on her way to the village. Upon reaching the SarPanch's house the village women came out and hugged Bibi ji. They hadn't seen her for some time. The SarPanch took her to a private room and handed over the Papers - they spelled disaster for the Khalsa. She got up at once and, covering herself with her shawl, headed back to the Kahnuwaan lake. Ahmed Shah Abdali's troops were on their way from Lahore to seize Kahnuwaan and these papers contained orders for the SarPanch to help the troops. Thousands of Khalsa lives were at risk and getting the information back to the Jathedar was foremost on her mind.

By now it was midnight. The skies were clear and the moonlight lit up the earth. In this calm and still atmosphere, Ranjit Kaur reached the outskirts of the quiet village and walked as fast as possible towards the lake. She had 3 miles to cover.

Two Turkish soldiers rode past her. She fearlessly looked at the soldiers and underneath her shawl she grabbed the handle of her sword. The soldiers suddenly pulled their horses across her path and, quickly dismounting, tried to grab her hands. She darted away with lightening speed and threateningly said, "There'll be trouble if you touch me!", she continued aggressively, 'Who are you and what do you want?"

"We are commanders of the royal forces" said the first soldier.

The second soldier loudly demanded "Who are you?"

"Who ever I may be, you have no right to question me." Saying this Ranjit Kaur tried to walk past them at a fast pace.

The first soldier said, "We have orders to find out where the Sikhs are hiding. You look like a Sikh. Until you explain what you are doing we aren't going to let you go anywhere."

"That's right, I am a Sikh, what are you going to do about it?"

"Consider yourself under arrest," said the first soldier. He then looked at the other one and said, "Khan Sahib, I think you better grab her and put her on your horse, because I don't know what I'll do if I get too close to her."

Both looked at Ranjit Kaur's face and then looked at each other and started laughing. Such overtures angered her. She started looking at them like a hunter at its prey. Her eyes were red with anger.

Both men were intoxicated with Ranjit Kaur's beauty. Ranjit Kaur stared at their faces but remained silent. The soldier continued, "Beloved, what are you going to get from the wild Sikhs. Come with us. We shall make you our wife!"

Ranjit Kaur silently stared at the soldiers. Khan Sahib tried to grab her wrist, saying, "Come, sit on my horse. It is getting late my love." Ranjit Kaur moved swiftly, taking two steps backward she drew her sword from under her shawl and reflecting the moonlight it flashed like lightening. She shouted "If you come any closer I won't be responsible for what happens!" The soldiers burst out laughing. Khan Sahib said, "An angel drawing a sword! That's a first!" This was the first time Khan Sahib had seen a woman protect her honour like a lioness. Again, he tried to grab her with his outstretched arms. A flashing sword dazzled him and he screamed in agony as his left hand dropped to the ground.

Having been bitten by the lioness the soldiers drew their swords and charged towards her. She lunged forward at Khan Sahib again and cut off his sword hand. He retreated squirming in pain.

The other soldier was a skilled swordsman. His continuous attacks inflicted several wounds on Ranjit Kaur. Blood covered her whole face. Exhaustion was setting in by now. Suddenly, the strength of GURU JEE'S AMRIT injected so much courage into her that she forgot all about her wounds and pains. Her sword moved with such force that the soldier's head dropped to the ground and bounced like a ball. His body fell in a heap next to it.

Khan Sahib had escaped. Exhausted she managed to search the heaped body and found several papers in the dead soldier's pockets. Seizing them, she mounted his horse and rode to the lake. As she approached the camp she yelled 'JATHEDAR JEE! JATHEDAR JEE!'. The Jathedar and several others came running out to meet her. Seeing her bloody face they carried her inside. Her sisters cleaned her wounds while she handed the papers to the Jathedar. He was amazed to find full details of the Turk's battle-plans. Ranjit Kaur was honoured greatly by the Khalsa.

(True story trom the Punjabi book "Adarshak Singhnia" by Kararn Singh, translated by Baldev Sirigh, adapted and dramatised by Harjit Singh)



The ‘Khanda-Ka-Pahul’ that Guru Gobind Singh Jee used to transform the sparrows into hawks, jackels into lions, cowards into warriors had now enabled Bibi Ranjit Kaur to make the mission a successful one. For her selfless sacrifice the Khalsa would never forget her. By the Guru’s infinite and unparalleled grace and kindness she had single-handedly overturned a sure defeat for the Khalsa into an overwhelming victory!

Daughters of the Khalsa, in your strength our future lies. Learn about the great spirit of which Sikhs possess, which no one could ever understand. This Spiritual Strength derives from Guru Maharaj (Guru Granth Sahib Ji). It's from Gurbani, Naam Simran, Seva and saacha pyar for the Guru.

Give our children fearless minds to see the world through the Guru's eyes! Let our future brothers and sisters strive to become the Khalsa and continue to inspire others by becoming noble, fearless and Chardi-Kala (high-spirited) Sikhs. Let them live up to the standards of those countless Sikhs who spilled blood and laid down their head for the Khalsa to remain DISTINCT and in Ever-Existence!