1 266 _ HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
2 be well for Him to cease hostilities, make his immediate submission, re-
3 nounce his infidelity and embrace the Islamic faith, The youthful Jit
4 Singh, drawing his scimitar, exclaimed to the bearer of this message : “ Utter
5 another word and I will smite your head from your body and cut you to
6 pieces, for daring so to address our chief!” ‘The blood of the envoy boiled
7 with rage, and he returned to the imperial camp with this defiance. When
8 the news of the death of his two sons reached Govind, he received it with
9 Govind contronts his the utmost resignation and fortitude. His followers, dressed in mourning
10 adversity with resol Costume, came in great numbers to condole with him. Many of them began
11 to weep, for which he gently reproved them, reminding them that these
12 bereavements were the will of God. He drew two paralle lines on the
13 ground with his finger, then rubbed them off with his hand and said to
14 them: “Brother Sikhs! there was no joy when these lines came into
15 existence, and there could be no grief when ‘they were effaced. As these
16 lines were transient, so are the affairs of this sorrowful world transitory.
17 God makes a thing, and unmakes a thing; who are we to grumble since
18 the rein isin His hand? Rely, then, firmly on His will, for He is the Almighty.
19 What are we poor mortals before him?” These words had the effect of
20 magic upon the minds of the Guru’s disciples, who, seeing the Guru so firm
21 in temper, laid aside all their grief, and commenced the task before them of
22 fighting with the enemies of their faith with redoubled zeal.
23 Govind, with his five adherents, had travelled some miles, when he was’
24 aie Gum in his, met by two Pathans, Néme Khan and Ghani Khan, who recognizing the
25 district. Guru resolved to take him to the governor Wazfr Khan. The Guru en-
26 treated and promised them a munificent reward if they saved his life.
27 They had in former times received kindness at the hands of the Guru, and
28 they now conducted him safe to Bahlolpur in the Ludhiana District, where
29 the Guru sought protection with his Persian tutor, Pir Muhammad, a quazi.
30 After meeting various reverses and experiencing great calamities, he reached
31 the wastes of Bhatinda, where his disciples again rallied round him.
32 After a short stay in the village of Rdéipur and Kahlir to recruit his
33 ‘The Sikhs rally bealth and strength, the Guru journeyed to Muktesar in the Ferozepur
34 eave District, where all the Sikhs who had deserted him again assembled.
35 Govind was enabled here to collect twelve thousand fighting men,
36 He is pursued by the including horsemen and foot soldiers, The news reaching the governor
37 tepeleh neue of Sirhind, he sent a body of seven thousand imperial troops to disperse
38 the Guru’s forces, and a battle was fought between the imperialists and
39 Whom hedefeatsin the Sikhs at Muktesar, in which the latter were victorious. The Guru
40 ee harangued his soldiers, complimenting them on their bravery in the field
41 and encouraging them to renewed exertions and fidelity. Great numbers
42 tone Gonstructs the fell on both sides in this action. The tank called Muktesar, in the Ferozepur
43 , District, was constructed by the Guru on the field of battle, and is held in
44 great reverence by the Sikhs, who believe that whoever bathes in it, obtains
45 salvation. Hence the name “ Muktesar,” given to it by the Guru, meaning
46 “the tank of emancipation.” A great fair is held at Muktesar on the first
47 of Magh, every year, to commemorate the events which took place there, and
48 the Sikhs from all parts of the Panjdéb assemble there.
49 The Guru then went to Malwé and lived there in peace for some time,
50 occupying himself chiefly in making proselytes to his religion, not a difficult
51 task, consideriug that the people about that part of the country were ina
52 state of lamentable ignorance. He built here a spacious house for his resi-
53 He rests at Dadam deuce, which he called the Damdamd. A great fair is annually held here.
54 bai After the building was completed, the Guru declared that henceforth who-
55 ever visited the pl h i : ye ¥ a
56 Sri Satgurujag}t SinghyieL brary 8 Hane RARENbrSKy Ua chines of the