Bunga Nanaksar – Ravidassia Singha Da Jujharu Itihas – A Curtain Raiser

 

Bunga Nanaksar – Ravidassia Singha Da Jujharu Itihas – A Curtain Raiser

(Role of Ravidassia Sikhs Warriors in protecting and preserving Bunga Nanaksar)

Bunga Nanaksar – Ravidassia Singha Da Jujharu Itihas – It is a small book written by a scholar historian and an educationist, Roop Lal Roop. Bunga Nanaksar is located in the historic town of Talwandi Sabo in the Bathinda District of Punjab. It is a timely and appropriate

registration and recognition of the historical and contemporary facts about the Bunga Nanakar, majestically situated in the close vicinity of the historic Sikh Takhat (Seat of Spirituality) of Sikhism, Takhat Damdama Sahib. It would only appropriate to say that the learned author, Roop Lal Roop has done a great job supported and sponsored by British Ravidassia Heritage Foundation (BRHF) of UK under the stewardship of Om Parkash Bagha.

The book which fully register and recognize the sterling role played by the ‘Rangrete Guru De Bete’ – Ravidassia and Mazhabi Sikhs in owning and preserving the legacy of the Rangrete Sikh Martyrs and Warriors in the service of the great Sikh Gurus and Sri Guru Granth Sahib namely, inter alia, Baba Deep Singh, Baba Sangat Singh, Baba Bir Singh, Baba Dhir Singh. The book has been rightly arranged in various chapters giving all the necessary historical background of Bunga Nanaksar and other related historical sites in and around Takhat Damdama Sahib and also bringing to light the current situation pertaining to these historical sites. In the opening pages, the author has given us the purpose and importance of the book which has been duly supported by Principal Harmesh Ghera, Om Parksh Bagha, Karam Singh Mehmi. in their well-considered comments in forewords and endorsements, they have underlined the historical perspective of the sites and events. As Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized the crucial role of history in understanding and addressing social inequalities and believed that a critical examination of the past was essential for building a just and equitable society as ordained by Gautama the Buddha and the great Sikh Gurus, Harmesh Ghera said that writing and bringing to light of the facts was not only academic but a ‘fight for dignity and respect’. Om Parkash Bagha appreciated the efforts of the author, Roop Lal Roop in digging and exploring the pages of history to put the things in their right perspective.  Karam Singh Mehmi underscored the importance of ‘Posts – Flags  - Citadels – Chonkian, Jhande atte Bunge’ in the Sikh  tradition and rightly urged the followers of the great Guru Ravidass to stand up and claim the legacy of the sites like Bunga Nanaksar, our proud heritage. I fully agree with them as I believe in the wisdom imparted by knowledgeable people, “Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”

With this book, Roop Lal Roop has started this debate of owning and preserving historical sites by their rightful heirs, Ravidassias and Mazhabies embraced by the great Gurus as their siblings with a lofty sense of ‘Make these hapless the rulers – In Garib Sikhan Ko Dun Patshahi’. It is a matter of shame to note that the organisations like SGPC and other vested interests are still holding to the outdated and condemnable dictums of Manuwad to disassociate the rightful heirs of the legacy of great warriors and martyrs belonging to the marginalized sections of the society in spite of the fact that the great Gurus bestowed great place of honour to these great people in the Sikh hierarchy. These details have been appropriately included in the book under review. Some of the factual narrations like the role of 400 fully armed horse riders belonging the Rangrette Guru Bete clans in guarding and preserving Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo and deletion of some words from the Ardas of the Sikhs to undermine the role and space of the the Rangrete Guru Ke Bete from the Sikh history. This kind of thinking and action not only negates the lofty philosophy of the great Sikh Gurus including Guru Granth Sahib but also the entire edifice of the Sikh religion. It is a matter of great satisfaction that, as narrated by the author, the spiritual leaders not only of the Sikh fold of Ravidassia and Mazahbies but also of the Ravidassia Dharam like Sant Niranjan Dass of Dera Schkhand Ballan, Swami Gurdip Giri of Pathankot, Sant Kulwant Ram Bharomajra, Sant Mohinder Pandava among others have associated themselves with the Bunga Nanaksar to defeat the unholy alliance of vested interests to change the history. I am also happy to note that social activists like Jarnail Nangal, Jassi Talhan among others have done a great job in spear-heading the fight against the vested interests in owning and preserving the heritage of the community like the historic sites of Bunga Nanaksar. The sterling role played by Sants and Soial Activists of Malwa region led by Sant Dharam Singh and Karam Singh Mehmi among others, in fighting and negotiating with the stakeholders and the authorities, is appreciable which has been duly recognized and acknowledged by the author.

I have purposely not included more details of personalities and events which have been given and elaborated in the book with a view to keep this piece a short one. As it is said that proof of the pudding lies in its eating, the discerning readers would definitely benefit from

reading the book. I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the author, my friend and philosopher, Roop Lal Roop and Chairman of BRHF, Om Parkash Bagha for this gift of historical relevance for the community and the society at large. I am confident that it will go a long way in carrying the caravan of Guru Ravidass forward to realize the lofty ideals of BRHF.

The book is slated to be formally launched on June 28, 2025 at Punjab Press Club in Jalandhar with the recital of poetry in a well-arranged Kavi-Darbar. The author, Roop Lal Roop is himself a poet of standing, an egalitarian and peoples voice.

Ye Khamoshi Kahan Tak? Lazzat-e-Faryad Paida Kar
Zameen Par Tu Ho Aur Teri Sada Ho Asmanon Mein
(How long will you remain silent? Create taste for complaint!
You should be on the earth, so your cries be in the heavens!)