Only eight years of age at the time young Gobind Rai who had brought along his rare white baaz (hawk) had stopped in the nearby bagh which happened to belong to Pir Nur Din (possibly Pir Mir Din), the haughty priest of the shrine of Pir Gaib Shah near the site of today’s Gurdwara Badshahi Bagh. The Pir who was hunting with his own hawk challenged Guru Sahib for a duel between the hawks.

Realising what the Pir's intentions were; he offered a fight between the Pir's Hawk and some sparrows. Seeing that the Guru had no sparrows the Pir laughed and said sparrows are the food my hawk prefers and besides you seem to have no sparrows.

Guru Sahib repeated his words. Growing impatient the Pir blurted out, “Where are your sparrows?” The young Guru pointed towards two sparrows sitting on a nearby tree which suddenly flew into the air. The Pir released his hawk who headed straight for the two seemingly doomed birds. There was a furious tangle of flying feathers, such that one could barely tell which was which - hawk or sparrow when suddenly the hawk fluttered in a slow spiral down to the ground coming to land about a kilometre away from the Pir's bagh near Labbhu Ka Talab.

It was then that Guru Sahib said his now-famous words:

“Chirion se main baaz turaun, Gidderon se main sher banaun,

Sawa lakh se ek laraun, Tabe Gobind Singh naam kahun”

When Baba Deep Singh Ji learned about the disturbing news of the attack on Harimander Sahib, he immediately declared his intention of expelling the Afghans and rebuilding the gurdwara. He took a vow not to come back alive without fulfilling this mission. Baba Deep Singh Ji did ardas while promising to get to Sri Harimander Sahib: "Sir jaave ta jaave, mera Sikhi sidhak na jaave" (If my head is severed, let it be, but don't severe my Sikh way of life)"

Although Baba Deep Singh Ji was seventy-five years old, he still had the strength of a young warrior. He gathered a large group of Sikhs and advanced towards Sir Harimander Sahib. By the time they reached the village of Tern Taran, about ten miles from Amritsar, their numbers had risen to about five thousand. At this time, Baba Ji drew a line on the ground with his khanda and asked, only those who were willing to fight and die to cross the line.

All of the Sikhs there crossed the line eagerly. Baba Deep Singh Ji then recited the shabad: "Jo to praym khaylan ka chaao, sir dhar talee galee mayree aao." (Those who wish to play the game of love (follow Sikhism), come to me with your head in your palm.) "It maarag pair dhareejai, sir deejai kaan na keejai." (If you wish your feet to travel this path, don't delay in accepting to give your head.)

When news of Baba Deep Singh Ji's intentions reached Jahan Khan, he immediately mobilized an army of 20,000 men and proceeded towards Tern Taran. Baba Deep Singh Ji's army intercepted Jahan Khan's forces near the village of Goharwal, about five miles from Amritsar. At this point, there was a clash between both sides.

Baba Deep Singh Ji fought with his 18-ser khanda (weighing about 32 lbs.). Each Sikh fought with such great valour and courage that the enemy was almost defeated. Baba Deep Singh Ji was able to continue fighting and reached Sri Harimander Sahib with is head separated from his body. He bowed his head at the prikarma (rectangular walkway) of Sri Harimander Sahib and lay there as a martyr.

Baba Deep Singh Ji's shaheedi incited the Sikhs to continue to fight against Mogul oppression for many years. Even today, his life serves as an example for all Sikhs on how to live and die with dignity.

(*Article repost via Sikhism Guide)

In 1708, Banda Singh Bahadur became the leader of Sikh army and was sent to Punjab to fight against the Mughal Empire. Armed with the blessing and authority of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he came to Khanda in Sonipat and assembled a fighting force and led the struggle against the Mughal Empire. The faujdar of Sonipat was utterly unprepared and was defeated leading to a Sikh victory.

The Battle of Anandpur was fought between the armies of the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughal forces aided by the Nawab of Bahawalpur state and Rajas of the Sivalik Hills. The increasing power of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and his establishment of Khalsa alarmed the Rajas of the Sivalik hills. After some failed attempts to check the Guru's power, the Rajas pleaded the Mughals and Emperor Aurangzeb to help them against the Guru.

The Mughal viceroy of Delhi sent his generals Din Beg and Painda Khan, each with an army of five thousand men, to subdue the Guru.

The Mughal forces were joined by the armies of the hill chiefs at Rupar. The Guru appointed the Panj Piare, his five beloved Sikhs, as the generals of his army. Painda Khan was killed in combat by Guru Gobind Singh. After Painde Khan's death, Din Beg assumed the command of his troops, however, he failed to overpower the Guru's forces. The hill Rajas fled from the battlefield, and Din Beg was forced to retreat after being wounded.

Basoli is a small town in the district Kathua of Jammu and Kashmir bordering Punjab.

The Battle of Basoli was fought between the Mughal Empire and the Sikhs. Earlier in the year, the Mughal army was defeated in the bloody Battle of Nirmohgarh. After the battle, Guru Gobind Singh Ji moved to Basoli where the combined forces of the hilly rajas also crossed Satluj and the Sikh army was attacked by the hilly rajas under Raja Ajmer Chand. Guru Gobind Singh Ji put up a formidable defence at Basoli.

There, once again the enemy forces failed to subdue the Sikhs and the Khalsa army forced the enemy to roll back by defeating them at Basoli too. After the Battle, the Hilly kings had to fled from the battlefield to save their lives while Ajmer Chand made tactical peace with the Guru.

The Battle of Bhangani was fought between Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s army and Bhim Chand (Kahlur) of Bilaspur on 18 September 1686, at Bhangani near Paonta Sahib. 

A number of Hindu Rajas of Shivalik Hills participated in the war from Bhim Chand (Kahlur)‘s side.

It was the first battle fought by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, at the age of 19. According to some historians the battle lasted nine hours. But it was fought with great fury. As the combined armies of the hill Rajas marched towards Paonta, Guru Gobind Singh Ji also marched towards them.

The opposing forces met on the banks of Yamuna river, at Bhangani, 6 miles (9.7 km) away from Paonta. The battle resulted in the death of several of the Guru's and the Pir's disciples, including the two sons of the Pir. Guru Gobind Singh Ji came out victorious and won the battle.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Bichitra Natak also mentions that the battle resulted in the victory of the Guru's forces, and the enemy forces fled from the battlefield. The Guru, though victorious, did not occupy the territory of defeated hill chiefs.

Sometime after the Guru's return to Anandpur, peace was established between Raja Bhim Chand and Guru Gobind Singh, after the former paid a visit to the Guru with his minister.

The Battle of Sarsa was fought between Khalsa and the Mughal Empire. On 6 December 1704, the Mughals and the hilly kings sent a letter to Guru Gobind Singh Ji in which they swore on the Quran and the cow respectively, that if Guru and his Sikhs vacate the fort of Anandpur, the Mughals and the hilly kings would not attack them. They would be given safe passage if they vacate the fort.  

Under a peace treaty Guru Gobind Singh Ji along with the Sikhs left the fort on the night of 6th December 1704. When the Sikhs reached near the river Sarsa, they were attacked by a large army of Mughals and hilly kings. The Mughals broke their oath and attacked Guru's forces.  

A fierce battle took place near river Sarsa. The Sikhs reacted with great courage and bravery to this sudden attack. The Sarsa river was flooded and was very difficult to cross, in the dust and commotion of the battle, members of the family of Guru Gobind Singh Ji were separated from each-other and were divided into three groups, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was left with his two elder sons, the Panj Piaare, and 35 other Sikhs.

Both the Guru's favourite horse and famous elephant Prasadi died.   Both sides faced casualties. Guru Gobind Singh Ji along with some Sikhs managed to cross the river safely. Parivar Vichora is a Gurdwara situated on the bank of the river Sirsa. This is where the 10th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind SIngh Ji's, family got separated.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born on 22nd December 1666. He was the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher.

After his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam, Guru Gobind Singh was formally installed as the leader of the Sikhs at the age of nine, becoming the tenth Sikh Guru on Vaisakhi on 29th March 1676.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh (26 January 1687 – 07 December 1704) Sahibzada Ajit Singh or Baba Ajit Singh, was the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh.

Sahibzada Jujhar Singh (14 March 1691 – 22 December 1705), the second son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (28 November 1695 – 26 December 1704) was the third of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's four sons.

Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji (12 December 1699 – 26 December 1704) was the fourth and youngest son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

When Baba Deep Singh Ji learned about the disturbing news of the attack on Harimander Sahib, he immediately declared his intention of expelling the Afghans and rebuilding the gurdwara. He took a vow not to come back alive without fulfilling this mission. Baba Deep Singh Ji did ardas while promising to get to Sri Harimander Sahib: "Sir jaave ta jaave, mera Sikhi sidhak na jaave" (If my head is severed, let it be, but don't severe my Sikh way of life)"

Although Baba Deep Singh Ji was seventy-five years old, he still had the strength of a young warrior. He gathered a large group of Sikhs and advanced towards Sir Harimander Sahib. By the time they reached the village of Tern Taran, about ten miles from Amritsar, their numbers had risen to about five thousand. At this time, Baba Ji drew a line on the ground with his khanda and asked, only those who were willing to fight and die to cross the line. All of the Sikhs there crossed the line eagerly. Baba Deep Singh Ji then recited the shabad: "Jo to praym khaylan ka chaao, sir dhar talee galee mayree aao." (Those who wish to play the game of love (follow Sikhism), come to me with your head in your palm.) "It maarag pair dhareejai, sir deejai kaan na keejai." (If you wish your feet to travel this path, don't delay in accepting to give your head.)

When news of Baba Deep Singh Ji's intentions reached Jahan Khan, he immediately mobilized an army of 20,000 men and proceeded towards Tern Taran. Baba Deep Singh Ji's army intercepted Jahan Khan's forces near the village of Goharwal, about five miles from Amritsar. At this point, there was a clash between both sides. Baba Deep Singh Ji fought with his 18-ser khanda (weighing about 32 lbs.). Each Sikh fought with such great valour and courage that the enemy was almost defeated. 

Baba Deep Singh Ji was able to continue fighting and reached Sri Harimander Sahib with is head separated from his body. He bowed his head at the prikarma (rectangular walkway) of Sri Harimander Sahib and lay there as a martyr. Baba Deep Singh Ji's shaheedi incited the Sikhs to continue to fight against Mogul oppression for many years. Even today, his life serves as an example for all Sikhs on how to live and die with dignity.

(*Article repost via Sikhism Guide http://www.sikhismguide.org/babadeepsingh.aspx)

The Battle of Nirmohgarh was fought between the Sikhs and the Mughal Empire in 1702.  

After the Imperial army was defeated in the bloody Battle of Anandpur (1700). Aurangzeb (the Mughal Emperor of India) himself sent a fresh army under Wazir Khan against the Guru. Wazir Khan proceeded with a large number of troops with the backing and reinforcements provided by the hilly Rajas of the Sivalik Hills.  

The battle took place outside Anandpur on the bank of river Satluj at Nirmohgarh. The Mughals attacked Guru Ji from one side and the hilly rajas attacked from other side. The fight continued fiercely for a whole day and night and the combined forces were compelled to retreat.  

The next morning, they attacked restarted and Guru Ji found himself greatly outnumbered and decided to retire from the place. The enemy troops pursued Guru Ji, resulting in another battle in which combined forces of Wazir Khan & the hilly Rajas were decisively defeated and the imperial army was forced to withdraw after two days of fighting.

In 1707, Baba Deep Singh Ji joined Banda Singh Bahadur to fight for the freedom of Punjab. They fought together in the battle at Sirhind - the city in which Guru Gobind Singh Ji's younger sons had been killed. Although the Mughal army outnumbered the Sikhs significantly, the Sikh army was able to easily defeat the Mughal forces. 

During the battle, Baba Deep Singh Ji beheaded Wazir Khan. Later, when the Sikh forces were reorganised into twelve misls (groups), Baba Deep Singh Ji was appointed in charge of the Shaheedi division. As the leader of the Shaheedi misl, he achieved numerous victories for the Sikhs.

The battle of Nadaun was fought between the union of the kings of the hill states and the Mughals. In this battle Guru Ji supported the kings of the hill states with best Sikhs. The only reason behind it was after developing friendly relations with Guru Ji, Bhim Chand and the king of Bilaspur and the king of the other hill states stopped paying annual tribute to the Mughals. On not receiving any annual tribute Mian Khan sent Alif Khan and the army into battle against Guru Ji and his companions. Alif Khan was defeated after he fled his camp, leaving his belongings and all his warriors. 

After the victory of Nadaun, Bhim Chand made an agreement with Alif Khan without the consent of Guru Ji. Guru Ji was deeply hurt by Bhim Chands act of deceit. 

Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a gurdwara on the spot where the Guru had pitched his tent. The Gurdwara was affiliated to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in 1935. It is known as Gurudwara Dasvin Patshahi or Gurdwara Nadaun Sahib.

“I am neither a child, a young man, nor an ancient; nor am I of any caste”

Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday is celebrated on 14^th April and is regarded as one of the greatest religious innovators of all time and the founder of the Sikh religion.

Nanak was an original spiritual thinker and expressed his thoughts in extraordinary poetry that forms the basis of Sikh scripture.

The most famous teachings attributed to Guru Nanak are that there is only one God, and that all human beings can have direct access to God with no need of rituals or priests. His most radical social teachings denounced the caste system and taught that everyone is equal, regardless of caste or gender.

The Battle of Nirmohgarh was fought between Sikhs and the Mughal Empire in 1702.

After the Imperial army was defeated in the bloody Battle of Anandpur (1700). Aurangzeb (the Mughal Emperor of India) himself sent a fresh army under Wazir Khan against the Guru. Wazir Khan proceeded with a large number of troops with the backing and reinforcements provided by the hilly Rajas of the Sivalik Hills.

The battle took place outside Anandpur on the bank of river Satluj at Nirmohgarh. The Mughals attacked Guru Ji from one side and the hilly rajas attacked from other side. The fight continued fiercely for whole day and night and the combined forces were compelled to retreat.

The next morning, they attacked restarted and Guru Ji finding himself greatly outnumbered decided to retire from the place. The enemy troops pursued Guru Ji, resulting in another battle in which combined forces of Wazir Khan & the hilly Rajas were decisively defeated and the imperial army was forced to withdraw after two days of fighting.

The battle of Nadaun was fought between the union of the kings of the hill states and the Mughals. In this battle Guru Ji supported the kings of the hill states with his best Sikhs. The only reason behind it was after developing friendly relations with Guru Ji, Bhim Chand and the king of Bilaspur and the king of the other hill states stopped paying annual tribute to the Mughals. On not receiving any annual tribute Mian Khan sent Alif Khan and the army into battle against Guru Ji and his companions. Alif Khan was defeated after he fled his camp, leaving his belongings and all his warriors.

After the victory of Nadaun, Bhim Chand made an agreement with Alif Khan without the consent of Guru Ji. Guru Ji was deeply hurt by Bhim Chands act of deceit. 

Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a gurdwara on the spot where the Guru had pitched his tent. The Gurdwara was affiliated to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in 1935. It is known as Gurudwara Dasvin Patshahi or Gurdwara Nadaun Sahib.

In 1707, Baba Deep Singh Ji joined Banda Singh Bahadur to fight for the freedom of Punjab. They fought together in the battle at Sirhind - the city in which Guru Gobind Singh Ji's younger sons had been killed. Although the Mughal army outnumbered the Sikhs significantly, the Sikh army was able to easily defeat the Mughal forces.

During the battle, Baba Deep Singh Ji beheaded Wazir Khan. Later, when the Sikh forces were reorganised into twelve misls (groups), Baba Deep Singh Ji was appointed in charge of the Shaheedi division. As the leader of the Shaheedi misl, he achieved numerous victories for the Sikhs.

When Baba Deep Singh Ji learned about the disturbing news of the attack on Harimander Sahib, he immediately declared his intention of expelling the Afghans and rebuilding the gurdwara. He took a vow not to come back alive without fulfilling this mission.

Baba Deep Singh Ji did ardas while promising to get to Sri Harimander Sahib: "Sir jaave ta jaave, mera Sikhi sidhak na jaave" (If my head is severed, let it be, but don't severe my Sikh way of life)"

Although Baba Deep Singh Ji was seventy-five years old, he still had the strength of a young warrior. He gathered a large group of Sikhs and advanced towards Sir Harimander Sahib. By the time they reached the village of Tern Taran, about ten miles from Amritsar, their numbers had risen to about five thousand. At this time, Baba Ji drew a line on the ground with his khanda and asked, only those who were willing to fight and die to cross the line. All of the Sikhs there crossed the line eagerly. Baba Deep Singh Ji then recited the shabad: "Jo to praym khaylan ka chaao, sir dhar talee galee mayree aao." (Those who wish to play the game of love (follow Sikhism), come to me with your head in your palm.) "It maarag pair dhareejai, sir deejai kaan na keejai." (If you wish your feet to travel this path, don't delay in accepting to give your head.)

When news of Baba Deep Singh Ji's intentions reached Jahan Khan, he immediately mobilized an army of 20,000 men and proceeded towards Tern Taran. Baba Deep Singh Ji's army intercepted Jahan Khan's forces near the village of Goharwal, about five miles from Amritsar. At this point, there was a clash between both sides. Baba Deep Singh Ji fought with his 18-ser khanda (weighing about 32 lbs.). Each Sikh fought with such great valour and courage that the enemy was almost defeated. 

Baba Deep Singh Ji was able to continue fighting and reached Sri Harimander Sahib with is head separated from his body. He bowed his head at the prikarma (rectangular walkway) of Sri Harimander Sahib and lay there as a martyr. Baba Deep Singh Ji's shaheedi incited the Sikhs to continue to fight against Mogul oppression for many years. Even today, his life serves as an example for all Sikhs on how to live and die with dignity.

(*Article repost via Sikhism Guide http://www.sikhismguide.org/babadeepsingh.aspx)

The Battle of Samana was fought between Banda Singh Bahadur and Wazir Khan in 1709. Following the battle, Banda Singh Bahadur marched forward and shook the administration of Delhi.

Banda Singh's invasion of Samana was brutal for the Muslim population who suffered heavily as a result. It is estimated that 10,000 civilians were killed during the siege.

The city of Samana was seen as an accursed place in the eyes of the Sikhs because of the history of Mughal murders that came from the town; Jalal-ud-din, the executioner of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Shashal Beg & Bashal Neg, who both killed the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh and Ali Hussain who lured Guru Gobind Singh to evaluate Anandpur in 1704 with his false promises.

On 16 November Banda Singh and the Sikh forces entered the city from all sides and fought courageously for four days after which the city fell and Banda Singh took control. The Sikh victory at Samana was followed by massive massacre of the Mughal army.

On 20th November 1709, Banda Singh appointed Fateh Singh as the new head of the Samana city while he himself marched towards Sirhind to punish Wazir Khan.