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First Raj of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Banda Singh Bahadur
Banda Singh Bahadur appeared in Sikh history for a relatively short period (1708-1716) but, after the Sikh gurus, influenced it more significantly than any other individual. Banda Singh Bahadur is among the most colourful and fascinating characters in Sikh history. From an ascetic he was transformed into Guru Gobind Singh’s most trusted disciple. So much so that when the seriously injured guru could not lead his Sikh army against the Mughal forces, he appointed Banda Singh Bahadur as his deputy. As proof of this appointment he gave Banda his sword, a mighty bow, arrows from his own quiver, his battle standard and his war drum. Banda rode out from Nanded (where Guru Gobind Singh passed away; now in Maharashtra) at the head of a small band of Sikhs, which, by the time it reached the Punjab, had grown into a formidable army. Over the next few years his exploits against the Mughal rulers, both in pitched battles and in skirmishes, became the stuff of legends. He became the first of many legendary Sikh generals, famous both for their personal heroic courage and their skill in warfare. His many encounters with the Mughal rulers eroded the very foundation of the Mughal empire and ensured its quick demise. As he said when questioned on what he had ‘I have ensured that never again will the crown sit easily on the Mughal emperor’s head.’ He also prepared the coming generations of Sikhs for future conflicts, which later greatly helped Maharaja Ranjit Singh in creating a Sikh empire. Banda was a true leader who led from the front, not only in the battlefield but also in civil administration. He established a secular government which swept aside 700 years of slavery and the myth of domination by foreign powers, proclaimed freedom of worship, allowed the people to follow professions of their choice and stopped forcible marriages even while recovering abducted women for return to their families. His land revolution abolished zamindari in parts of North India, thereby redistributing land equally amongst the tillers. This book seeks to tell the story of this remarkable and brave man and his equally remarkable ahievements. Perhaps, the finest of Banda Singh Bahadur’s biographies.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
Hardcover
First published May 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 28, 2022
There is nothing wrong with writing historic fiction, but the Sikhs are still to learn the art. Banda Singh Bahadur was a multifaceted personality, a Sikh statesman and warrior who conducted an almost decade long guerilla campaign against the incumbent Mughal (read theocracy) regime.
Banda's nascent republicanism became the cause for his betrayal at the hands of his own lieutenants. In the ensuing decades he was much maligned by prejudiced sophists such as Ratan Singh Bhangu and the Nihangs of the Budha Dal.
Today, there are two tangents with which Banda Singh is treated in the literary world. Either we have the Banda was a traitor line, or either we have the he was holier than thou line. Dhillon takes the latter line while ignoring the former. What we have then is a flat dimensioned Banda whose character development is essentially nugatory.
True to prior novels published on the holier than thou formula, Dhillon follows an established trek failing to chart any substantively new courses. Essentially, one is left confounded as to whether the author is giving vent to his creativity or allowing his religious devotion an escape.
The finesse with which historic fiction is usually treated is lacking in Dhillon's treatment. The author is "relating" history rather than "narrating" history.
While I understand that Banda Singh is one of the foremost personalities in the post Guru-era epoch, Dhillon's devotional overtones render him deified and above the grasp of human tangibility. The reader is left with a God-like treatment of the man which annuls his true self: an ascetic transformed by the Sikh ethos. A common man who battled against the odds to become a hero.
"First Raj of the Sikhs" is a disappointment for seasoned readers. But as an introduction to Sikh history for children, it is a gem.
Banda's nascent republicanism became the cause for his betrayal at the hands of his own lieutenants. In the ensuing decades he was much maligned by prejudiced sophists such as Ratan Singh Bhangu and the Nihangs of the Budha Dal.
Today, there are two tangents with which Banda Singh is treated in the literary world. Either we have the Banda was a traitor line, or either we have the he was holier than thou line. Dhillon takes the latter line while ignoring the former. What we have then is a flat dimensioned Banda whose character development is essentially nugatory.
True to prior novels published on the holier than thou formula, Dhillon follows an established trek failing to chart any substantively new courses. Essentially, one is left confounded as to whether the author is giving vent to his creativity or allowing his religious devotion an escape.
The finesse with which historic fiction is usually treated is lacking in Dhillon's treatment. The author is "relating" history rather than "narrating" history.
While I understand that Banda Singh is one of the foremost personalities in the post Guru-era epoch, Dhillon's devotional overtones render him deified and above the grasp of human tangibility. The reader is left with a God-like treatment of the man which annuls his true self: an ascetic transformed by the Sikh ethos. A common man who battled against the odds to become a hero.
"First Raj of the Sikhs" is a disappointment for seasoned readers. But as an introduction to Sikh history for children, it is a gem.
June 17, 2016
Normally when I finish a book, I merely rate it and move on to my next in the eagerness to embark on a new reading journey. Rarely do I feel that a book deserves a detailed review. This book belongs to that rare category. The twist in the narrative has turned this collection of historical events into a very interesting and coherent read. The book educates, inspires and entertains at the same time. The pace of the plot could not have been better and the story telling by Harish Dhillon is at the very top. Can't wait to start my next read on the Sikh history timeline.
October 4, 2024
First Raj of the Sikhs, The life and times of Banda Singh Bahadur is the fearless tale of one of the greatest warriors in Sikh history who followed the commandment of Guru Gobind Singh and fought against the tyranny and oppression of the Mughals in Punjab. Through his valour, he annexed the few areas of Punjab from the Mughals and established the 'First Sikh State' with its capital at Lohgarh. Although Banda Bahadur was captured along with his juvenile son and wife, in June 1716, both the father and son were tortured to death on the orders of the then Mughal Emperor, Farrukh Siyar. But his deeds made him immortal in the annals of Sikh history.
March 29, 2020
It's been well chronicled by the author, he sure has brought the protagonist to life, but I feel it could have been a little more detailed, since there were so many skirmishes and wars that Banda Bahadur fought during his time a little attention to detail would have take this story to the next level.
July 8, 2020
So happy I finally read this. The narration perfectly suits the leader. Colorful, valiant and courageous.
December 3, 2021
Hagiography
February 24, 2016
It's a very well written account of life and times of Banda Singh Bahadur, among the greatest heroes and the first to unite (after Guru Gobind SinghJi's death) and organize rebellion against Mughal tyranny in the northern parts of India, mainly in the undivided Punjab of pre-independence era. The book binds various historical chronicles and documents into a single structured narrative that's dramatic enough to maintain reader's interest but at the same time doesn't betray the truth or goes astray in order to eulogize a venerated Indian hero that led a mass uprising against herculean odds. That being said, I would say that at more than a few places, I feel the author has taken some liberty in dramatizing events and the internal dwellings of characters involved.
There is also an attempt, hard to say if conscious or as a by-product of veneration of the main protagonist, to overly demonize the Mughal king Bahadur Shah I (son of Aurangzeb) in the book. I have not read enough about Bahadur Shah I to make an educated opinion about how good or bad, religiously fanatic or tolerant, he was as a king, but in my general opinion, most kings (although history also has a few loonies) are tolerant or fanatic as per the need of the hour, and their convenience. For example, even a great king like Ashok who achieved great enlightenment in his later years was cruel enough in the beginning to kill his own brothers (except 1) in order to end the race for succession. So it's hard to make the judgement call that a king was inherently bad particularly based on how he handled and crushed a rebellion. In peace time, most kings were good. Their true colors only came out during the war time and Bahadur Shah I had inherited lots of wars and rebellions because of the prolonged and ruthless rule of his father Aurangzeb.
That being said, it's well documented to prove that for general population, not the king but the local rulers (Amir, governor) were the main source of oppression and agony. And Banda Singh Bahadur removed many such local rulers to establish (although for a brief period) a classless, secular society and given the very limited resources: human, material and finanical, it was no less than a miracle that he could achieve so much in such a short period against so many odds.
There is also an attempt, hard to say if conscious or as a by-product of veneration of the main protagonist, to overly demonize the Mughal king Bahadur Shah I (son of Aurangzeb) in the book. I have not read enough about Bahadur Shah I to make an educated opinion about how good or bad, religiously fanatic or tolerant, he was as a king, but in my general opinion, most kings (although history also has a few loonies) are tolerant or fanatic as per the need of the hour, and their convenience. For example, even a great king like Ashok who achieved great enlightenment in his later years was cruel enough in the beginning to kill his own brothers (except 1) in order to end the race for succession. So it's hard to make the judgement call that a king was inherently bad particularly based on how he handled and crushed a rebellion. In peace time, most kings were good. Their true colors only came out during the war time and Bahadur Shah I had inherited lots of wars and rebellions because of the prolonged and ruthless rule of his father Aurangzeb.
That being said, it's well documented to prove that for general population, not the king but the local rulers (Amir, governor) were the main source of oppression and agony. And Banda Singh Bahadur removed many such local rulers to establish (although for a brief period) a classless, secular society and given the very limited resources: human, material and finanical, it was no less than a miracle that he could achieve so much in such a short period against so many odds.
November 2, 2013
Banda Singh Bahadur was a remarkable individual and likely the most respected individual in Sikh history after the 10 Gurus(teachers). This books helps understand Banda Bahadur's life and how sikhs evolved as community immediately after the last Guru. Book is set in early 18th century, North India. This is fictionalised account to make it an easy to read narrative, but the author documents variations he has added and promises account is as close to facts as he could manage.
October 8, 2014
this was my first book on complete life of Banda Singh Bahadur, earlier I have read about him in patches. the writer has completely narrated the the life of great Sikh who led forces against Mughals in Punjab on the directions of 10 the Guru. The sacrifice and Martyam made people more furious and aware for their religion. His sacrifice planted seeds for bigger, Planned, disciplined Khalasa Force in Punjab. worth reading..
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews