International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals Volume 04 Issue 09 August 2017

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Women Empowerment Hardeep Kaur Assistant Professor of History, College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, Ludhiana, . (Email Id: [email protected]) Abstract- In this paper an attempt has been made to sikh gurus for the cause of upliftment of examine the contribution of for the cause of women. It is generally women,it is better to examine the general said that a state of society can be judged condition of women duringthe medieval from the status, a woman occupies in the period. The position of woman was society. Sikh gurus worked for the upliftment different in different ages . With the and emancipation of women. According to advent of the Muslim rule ,the status of Guru ji, women being the most important woman degraded. They had no part of the society should be treated with respect. His compositions reveals that he individuality of theirown.Theyweretreatedas was concerned at the severely degraded and slaves .They were considered as an oppressed state of women and preached the object of man's sexual satisfaction .Many message of equality between the two sexes. social evils in the societycropped up like He raised his voice against women female infanticide ,child marriage ,dowry discrimination and social evils like Adultery, system ,sati system ,polygamy, pitiable Female infanticide,Polygamy etc. It is an attempt to underline how they were condition of widows etc .Young unmarried encouraged to dream, hope to have spiritual girls were carried off by the members of aspiration and fight against tyranny. He the ruling class. To save their daughters freed women from the slavery of men by from this evil ,the parents adopted two giving the name Kaur to them. This paper methods -they either killed their newborn also highlights the famous women during daughters or married them at the age of 5 Guru Gobind singh ji period like Mata Sikh Gujari, , etc. or 6. These methods gave birth to new evils - female infanticide and child Key Words -Guru Gobind marriage respectively .The birth of a girl Singhji,Women,Social evils,Kaur,Mata child was considered a source of misery Gujari,Mata Sundari,Mai Bhago the condition of widows was miserable .They were forced to die with the funeral In order to appreciate the contribution of pyre of their husband . Although the

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widower could remarry ,the widows of the father. God is the mother as well could not remarry or enjoy the pleasures as father. of life . ''thoulord ,art my mother and thou my father, Polygamy was prevalentthe society.''One wif husband and wife, who have one soul in two e,OneMan''applied only to women and not to .” bodies 1 the men.In the religious field,they were not There are 3 concepts in which lay allowed to read or study the holy scripture. great importance to women. They were denied access to education.The women had no identity of 1. The women is equated with nature or their own .Further ,the ideals of Kudrat or Prakriti which is a Feminine

asceticism and Renunciation also had 2. The Earth or the Dharti is referred to as their impact on the status of woman a Mother .The attraction of the female was 3. Sangat enjoys a great place in Sikhism. considered to be a temptation .She was Sangat comes from the word Samiti callled a seducer .Thus ,we find which means" Daughter of God." condemnation of woman in this period .In this period of injustice with woman , we The Sikh Gurus have made abundant use of Feminine symbols in Sikh Scriptures and find her receiving full respect in SGGS . day to day life. The Sikh Gurus have used The Nine gurus and the status of poetry as the medium of Communication. The poetry of the Gurus were not called women 'Guru Vak' which is Masculine but 'Gurbani' All the Sikh Gurus worked for the social which is Feminine. upliftment of women.The sikh gurus have great Dev ji, father of Sikhism, was reverence for women .In SGGS , there are the first to start, a social reform Movement many Hymns which shows that women is as he raised a strong voice in favour of given due respect in it. In many religions, social equality of women. In his hymns, God has been addressed as father. particularly, ASA DI VAAR and many other However, in Sikhism, God hymns enshrined in Sri , has been addressed as motherland father. Guru Nanak dev ji strongly advocated Guru Arjun dev ji, raised the status of respect and equality for women. The woman by using the feminine name principle of equality was followed and given to God [mother ] before the name propagated by successive Gurus, in the Sikh Galaxy.

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In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, there are several women not only towards her rights but also verses which shows that women is given due towards her womanhood that she had respect. Infact, there is no other scripture in forgotten due to years of exploitation. In the world which gives so much importance SGGS, we find many banis which explains to the women that separate banis present the the various qualities a women should character and virtues of a women. possess. Guru Nanak dev ji has considered. Air as the Guru Nanak Dev ji, father of Sikhism, was Guru; water as the father and the Earth as the first to start, a social reform Movement the womb of Mother where everything as he raised a strong voice in favour of needed by the mankind is produced. In Fact, social equality of women. In his hymns, it is the essence of Nanakian philosophy and particularly, ASA DI VAAR and many other is given at the end of JAP. hymns enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak dev ji advises to practice Guru Nanak dev ji strongly advocated righteousness for peaceful life and to save respect and equality for women. The this (Mata Dharat Mahat) for coming principle of equality was followed and generation of the humanity. The earth, as a propagated by successive Gurus, in the Sikh place, to practice righteousness has also Galaxy. been explained by Guru Nanak dev ji in the In Sri Guru Granth Sahib, there are several stanza 34 of Jap. The tradition of verses which shows that women is given due condemnation of women was seen during respect. Infact, there is no other scripture in Guru Nanak’s period. In this period of the world which gives so much importance injustice with women, We find her receiving to the women that separate banis present the full respect in SGGS. character and virtues of a women. Guru Nanak dev ji said in Asa di Vaar, Guru Nanak dev ji raised a strong voice in “Why call her bad who gives birth to the favour of social equality of women. In “Asa kings.”2 di Vaar” and many other hymns of SGGS, Guru Nanak dev ji emphasized that man Guru Nanak dev ji advocated respect and must Accept respect and protect the rights equality for women. The principle of of every women. He also emphasized on the equality was followed by successive Gurus. equality of both man & woman. In one of In SGGS, equal importance is given to his verses, he said “there is only one male Mother & father. that is almighty God, rest all are females.” “Wisdom is the mother & Guru Nanak dev ji not only praised women contentment is father” and “great is the in his verses but also tried her to arise out of mother that gives birth to child and great is slumberness. Guru Nanak dev ji said, “Jaag the father” 3 Salondriye.” Wake up, o you sleeping women. It was a slogan to wake up the

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Guru Nanak dev ji said,”Sikhi does not Widows,Polygamy etc. They advocated teach you to raise your hand on a women it equality of women and men. teaches you to respect them”4 During the period of Sikh Gurus, the Sikhism also preaches that equal respect custom of sati was prevalent in India. The should be given to women. women used to burn herself with her “In the earth and in the sky, do not see any husband on the funeral pyre after his death. second. Among all the women and the men. It was a kind of suicide where woman was His light is spinning.” forced to die against her wishes. Guruji Ad vocation of women Rights in SGGS in denounced Sati and advocated widow prize of women Guru Nanak Units Remarriage. He declared that a true Sati is “From the women is an birth, in the one who bravely bears the shock of woman’s womb are we shaped; separation with virtues (husband). To the woman we are engaged, to the “Do not call them ‘satee’, who burns we are wedded; themselves along with their husband’s The women is our friend and from corpses. O Nanak, they alone are Satee, who women is the family; die from the shock of separation.”6 Through the women are the bonds of the world; During the period of Sikh Gurus, girl Why call women evil who given infanticide was also prevalent. The Sikh birth to the leader of the world? Guru preached that there was no difference From the women is the women, between a son &a daughter . Girl without women there is name.”5 infanticide was also condemned by our Gurus. The Sikh Gurus gave specific The Sikh Gurus worked for the instructions that no one of their disciple will upliftment and emancipation of the indulge in female infanticide. Guru women..The Sikh Gurus not only provided Hargobind ji, the sixth Sikh guru, requested ideological basis in their hymns for the his mother to pray for the birth of a socio-religious rehabilitation of women but daughter. , the Seventh Guru, also undertook several widespread and when found an abandoned baby girl, he practical steps in this direction. They gave brought her home, adopted her and brought women the same place as was given to men her up like his own daughter . Sri Guru in Sikh institutions like Sangat ,, Granth Sahib condemns this evil social Manji etc. They raised their voices against practice. the social evils that were prevalent in the “If a Brahmin kills a cow or a female society. They strongly condemned Sati infant, and accepts the offerings of an evils system,Purdah system,pitiable condition of person, he is cursed with leprosy and

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criticism; he is forever and ever filled with Thus ,there is no ban on widow Remarriage egotistical pride.”7 in Sikhism . ‘Dowry’ has been derived from the In Guru Granth sahib we find many Latin word ‘Dos’ which means ‘to give, to hymns which shows that our Gurus were offer.’ The gifts, money or estate given to against Polygamy . Sikhism upholds the bride at the time of marriage, came to be monogamous ideal of marriage . are called ‘Dowry’. The custom of dowry has required by their religion to be loyal to been prevalent in all times and cultures, in their spouses.In Sikhism ,even celibacy one or the other form. The third Guru, Guru has been redefined in terms of chastity . Amardass, spoke against dowry sikhism directs its followers to be sincere system.Guru Amardass ji condemned the to their to their wives ,and look at all display of dowry in strong words:- other women as if they were their . “Any other dowry which the self- mothers ,daughters and sisters 11 willed offer for show is false egoism and worthless display of self”8 There are Two kinds of the Writings SGGS, thus, condemns the sati, dowry and which Guru Gobind Singhji wrote which female infanticide. It also stands in favour of help the Historians in writing the History widow remarriage. Keeping in view, the relating to his period. First is his poetical pitiable condition of a widow, the banis compositions preserved in the Holy Dasam inspires the Hindu society for their Granth and Second is his Hukamnamas or (widow’s) reforms. Letters addressed to his followers. These Guru Nanak devji says wrings throw flood of light on his views on “The widow who sells her body for women. Sikh women played a significant money can never be satisfied till she is role during Guru Gobind Singh's time. He united with her husband.”9 advocated equality of men and women in . All the sikh gurus advocated to reform the all walks of life. When he was quite condition of widows. They inspired the young,the administration of the Guru's Hindu society to allow widow to remarry. In darbar and the affairs of the Sikh community SGGs,it is said If a young widow, under the were conducted by his mother,Mata impact of lust, surrenders herself to another Gujari,as is clear from some of her letters- person, she can never have the full Hukamnamas available to us. Infact guru ji satisfaction. She should take another felt that no person was purer than the wife husband and pass her life in full satisfaction. and the mother. Even during the initiation “Just as a widow gives her body to another ceremony of the Khalsa,the respect was person, under the impact of lust and Maya, shown to Mata Sundari who put Patatas in she can never have a satisfaction without a the holy water [amrit] prepared for Baptism. husband.”10 Emphasizing this aspect of equality,the

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Guru,at the time of the birth of Khalsa,had poets but Guru Gobind singh explored real declared,"From now onwards you shall be definition of Chandi One another a Bhai[brother].Work and not ie.Formless,Eternal,accountless garbless the Birth shall determine the place of each in etc.Sikhs do not worship any Durga society.You shall treat the womenfolk equal devi,Chandi devi or Bhagwati devi,nor to men in every way." Chandi means any Devi or Hindu He brought women on an equal footing with deity.Chandi become the embodiment of men.They were thus Baptised in the same strength and might in female form and was way as men.Their obligations also remaining described in all her majesty and glory.The same as of men.A women was allowed to chandi is thus, a story of a women story read and interpret the Scripture.She was surpassing the might of a man. given the right to participate as well as lead 'Lok Mata'-Else where God is characterised religious congregations.Guru Gobind Singh as Purusha or the Father -creator is Ji,thus, freed women from the slavery of emphasized.He is both Father and Mother men. ,in contradiction to an imagined The symbolic value of Guru Gobind Singh's Father[Shiva] and Mother[Shakti] bestowal of the Kirpan to women,as well as The opening verses of the Ardas reads: to men,is immense.This outstanding Ardas- EK Onkar ji ki Fateh.Shri revolutionary act imbued women with the Bhagauti ji Sahae.Var Shri Bhagauti ji ki potential for security,confidence and self- Patshahi Dasvin. defense-a potent form of independence and Meaning-God is One.All Victory is of the liberation which is especially amazing when Wondrous Guru.May the respected Shri viewed in a historical context where male Bhagauti [ Divine Mother] help us!Ode of 'protection' of women often morphed into the respected Shri Bhagauti recited by the outright ownership. Tenth Guru. In Dasam Pritham Bhagauti Simari Kai Gur Nanak Granth Guru ji has used terms like Lok Mata lain dhiai. ,Chandi,Bhagauti,Bhavani[Mistress of all First Call up Bhagauti [The Divine prosperity],Kalika[The Eternal Divine Mother]in your mind,then meditate on Guru Might] and Chamunda.Guru ji has Nanak. constantly used these terms as the synonyms He sought her blessings for the completion for the Lord as symbolised in the might of of the Holy Granth Sahib. the Sword Of Righteousness, which is Kirpa kari hum par Jag Mata,Granth Kara drawn to protect faith and truth against Puran Subh rate.12 Evil.Thus guru ji has used Feminine term for The women is given the the The Lord. Chandi is a terminology of name Kaur,meaning Princess. In Sikhism Brahmgyan which was used in past by many this title eliminates discrimination based on

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"Family Name"[which denotes a specific During Guru ji Period many Muslim caste].A Sikh women is an individual in captured sikh women in battle and took her own right.She does not have to take her them as prize booty and raped them.But husband's name and is Kaur till her Guru ji prohibited sikhs from doing such death.Guru Gobind Singh did not see any acts.He was of the view that sexual distinction between the Khalsa,men or misconduct was inexcusable.This women could keep the 5 K's. Infact Kaurs prohibition of Guru ji made the Khalsa are the Brave Daughters of Guru Gobind maintain a high character both in times of Singh ji and ji.Kaurs are war and peace.In 1807,the Sikh soldiers pride of khalsa. Guru Gobind singh ji made crossed swords with Jahankhani, the General it mandatory for all Sikh women to use the of Ahmed Durrani,near sialkot.The Afghan surname Kaur. general ,fearing a defeat,fled away to Guru Gobind singh ji raised his Peshawar,leaving a large no.of muslim voice against Female infanticide.He issued women who fell into the hands of the orders forbidding the Khalsa having any sikhs.The Sikhs escorted the Muslim women association with those that practised Female safely to Jammu.This noble conduct is in infanticide and Sati. consonance with the tradition laid down by . - He should not mix with those who Guru Gobind singh ji 15.The respect of kill their daughter,and keep his mind always women especially Muslim Ones,captured busy in gurbani and keep the 'Waheguru' in during war,became a special feature of his mind and greet everybody with Khalsa.In the Sikh code of conduct,marrying 'Waheguru ji ki Fateh.' a Muslim woman was considered a sin.It  He should consider the Daughters of was this code of conduct of Sikhs which was others as his own and be contented responsible for the high character of the with his wife. Misaldars during the 18th century. In that  He should not kill his daughter nor age of moral laxity,the character of Sikhs should believe in caste distinctions. was exemplary.

 A Gursikh should not take wine,kill According to Rattan singh Bhangoo,the his daughter or mix with those who author of immortal Panth Prakash,the Sikhs kill their daughter.13 led their First expedition to Kasur in 1760 at the request of a Brahmin whose wife had Guru Gobind singh ji raised his been carried away by the Nawab of voice against adultery. Kasur.The Brahmin appealed to the Khalsa "Conveting other woman is playing a dagger in such a way that an expedition was led to in disguise.Such an indulgence is a virtual Kasur.Kasur was conquered and the wife of death.Such a man deserves the death of a the Brahmin was recovered and restored to dog."14 her husbands.

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Such high character displayed by the Sikhs Guru ji had three wives- ji, Mata was due to Guru Gobind Singh's teachings sundari ji and Mata Sahib ji. Sahib Devi which have been fully reflected in the lived the life of celibacy. Its true that Guru ji history of Khalsa.16 was idealist in his outlook and believed that Guru ji issued 52 Hukamnamas ie a set of marriage was a sacrament. We know that instructions in Sikhism,set by Guru Gobind polygamy becomes an evil when sex motive Singh ji in Nanded,in 1708.These edicts sum or sex indulgence is its basis.guru ji had up the ideal way of life of the Khalsa and great control over his physical desires. He serve as the code of conduct for the Khalsa was the man who sacrificed his all for the Panth. are some hukamnamas which shows sake of God. He married thrice only under the views of Guru ji for women. the forced circumstances. Mata Gujari and For example,Other than your wedded his maternal uncle Kirpal chand exercised wife,consider all women as your mothers great influence over him. and sisters. Do not indulge in carnal martial  The guru often spoke to the Sikhs relationships with them.. that,''Love your own wife and be Pakhian Charitra of Istri Charitra or tales of devoted to her alone,Do not share women :There are 404 stories,illustrative of another woman's bed,even in a the character and disposition of women. dream as love of this kind is like a These stories occupies 446 pages or nearly dagger that destroys. half of the Granth.The name of Sham occurs  Banda Bairagi was sent by the Guru as the writer of One or more of them.There ji to the Punjab to continue the work was reason for these stories.He wanted to left unfinished by him there. One of warn his followers of the wiles of the special instructions to him ,at women.The Guru knew that man's weakness departure,was that he should remain at a young age is woman. Many young men continent,as otherwise,his were recruiting themselves in the Guru's courage,glory and influence,were army.The Guruji wanted to check their likely to depart. tendency towards women.78 stories are  Once a Muslim lady fell in the hands devoted to the intelligence,bravery and of the sikh soldiers during the course devotion of women,269 stories depict wiles of war. She was brought to the Guru andrus's of women,28 stories discuss man's in Palki. The Guru ji asked Sikh deceit and cunning in relation to women,10 soldiers whether any of them had stories deal with the folly of drinking,opium molested or ill treated her in any eating and gambling and many describe folk way. tales.17 All these instances shows that Guru ji had Guru ji believed in leading a great regard for woman and forbade his monogamous life. Some writers say that

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followers from having evil eyes on other mother of the baby should respond five . woman 18 times with the same greeting.this all speaks Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvin records that of equal status of women in Sikh tradition.21 when Anandpur was under siege and Guru Gobind singh ji like his supplies to the Sikh had been blocked,it was predecessors strongly supported family life. the ladies who took the responsibility of He denounced asceticism as much as formal supplying them water from the river Sutlej. rituals. He did not regard woman as hurdle Without bothering about the raining bullets, or obstruction on the path of ultimate goal of they would start before dawn to supply Self-realization. According to him .to regard water to the Sikhism the fort. It was a woman a 'temptress' or 'seductress recorded that the daughter of Bhai Bhagat 'unclean' was totally incorrect. Guru gobind singh was killed during One such firing.19 singh ji life in itself a source of inspiration The Sikh place of worship at Nanded to the Sikhs. He himself led householder life was the victim of constant inroads of and sacrificed his whole for the Truth. Mohammedans from Deccan and the Sikhs Let thy own house be a forest, felt hopeless. They began to desert the place. Thy heart the anchorite, The news reached Malwa in Punjab. About Eat little,sleep little, 200 Sikh women volunteered themselves to Learn to love,be merciful and go and protect it. They formed battalion and forbear, . marched to South on horseback. On Be mild,be patient 22 reaching there,they engaged the enemy in a sharp skirmish lasting for many hours and The Sikh women in Indian History are . drove out the Mohammedans 20 famous for their Courage,Valour,Work And There is a incident during Guruji honesty. They are the symbol of period which shows that there should be no womanhood-Mata Bhagwati Durga in her gender discrimination. Bhai Alam Singh human form as if fighting the evildoer and asked the Guru that he had Once said that protecting the helpless and the oppressed. Khalsa will henceforth baptize his sons and Here are some of the outstanding and daughters. Bhai Alam Singh requested the exemplary contributions made by some of Guru to tell him how it should be done.The the courageous women of Sikh faith who Guru replied that a Sikh must take the were dedicated,devoted,and committed to child,whether son or daughter to the truth,justice,and righteousness. dharamsala for the purpose,when the child Mai Bhago- Her original name was Bhag was Ten days old...... After the Amrit was kaur. After baptization, she was called Bhag ready,the baby boy or girl should be kaur. In Sikh History ,she is known as Mai administered five drops of Amrit and the Bhago. She was a famous warrior saint,who Sikh greeting be repeated five times.The had fought alongside Guru Gobind singh ji.

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Mai Bhago also known as Mata Bhag kaur adding sugar cakes[patatas] to water which was a Sikh woman who led Sikh soldiers was stirred with the [double edged against the Mughals in 1705.She killed sword] and administered to the Khalsa as several enemy soldiers on the battlefield. Amrit. She commissioned She is considered a saint by Sikhs. She was to collect the writings of Guru ji. It was she the brave woman who shamed the 40 who got the writing of the Guruji collected deserters to return to the . and compiled as . She was the sole survivor of the Battle of Mata Sundari- She was the widow of Muktsar. She was later honored for her Guru Gobind singh ji. She is popularly bravery by being made a bodyguard of the known among the Sikhs as the Great Mother Guruji.She accompanied Guruji to Nanded of Khalsa. She was a devoted wife,a and continued to serve the 10th master with Spiritual Mother and a confident and far great devotion.She died at Nanded. sighted guide of the masses. He helped Mata Gujari-She occupies an important provide leadership for the Sikhs in a very place in the Sikh History. She was the wife difficult time aafter the death of Guru ji. She of Guru Teg Bahadur and Mother of Guru helped maintain the sanctity of the SGGS as Gobind ji. She was an inspiring force behind the only successor of Guru Gobind singh ji her husband Guru Teg Bahadur ji and her and dealt strictly with the pretenders of Guru son Guru Gobind Singh ji. It was her ship.She was the First Khalsa woman.It was upbringing that her grandsons displayed she who got the writings of the Guru ji such a strong determination in their faith. collected and compiled as Dasam Granth. She was an embodiment of supreme .Mata Sahib kaur- She was One of the sacrifice. She passed through all hardships wives of Guru Gobind ji whom he had made that Guru ji underwent and she always the symbolic Mother of Khalsa. She was the remained with Guru ji as a source of spiritual wife of guruji as she took vow of Inspiration. She infused such a high spirit celibacy. His marriage to her was taken into guru ji and his sons that even the place under peculiar circumstances. She enemies were surprised to see their participated along with her husband in the fearlessness. creation of the Khalsa.She took Amrit and Mata Jito ji- She was the wife of Guru she was proclaimed as the mother of Gobind singh ji. She used to tell her sons Khalsa.She always helped Mata Sundari about the great sacrifices of their Grand with social and religious affairs,and issued father. Right from the beginning she used to about nine hukamnamas. tell her sons about their duties as a Sikh. -Bibi Harsarn kaur ji-In the battle of During the Baptism ceremony of the Khalsa Sahib ,two elder sons of Guruji in 1699,Guru Gobind singh ji asked Mata were martyred.Guruji was obliged to leave Jito ji to Participate in the First Baptism by

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the place under the cover of darkness.After women assigned at the social and historical leaving Chamkaur Sahib,he reached the level. However, the evils of female village of Harsarn kaur.Guru Gobind singh foeticide, dowry, domestic violence etc. are ji's two elder sons together with many other still prevalent in our society. The political Sikhs were martyred while fighting with the authority and religious authority is still in enemies at the Sahib. the hands of the male. We have still to When she came to know about the provide her a place of equality even in the martyrdom of Sahibzaade,she hurried to religious duties..The need is to look into Chamkaur Sahib and reached the battle present maladies, besides taking pride in scene. She did the last ritual ceremony of the past glories. elder two sons of Guru Gobind singh ji and other Sikhs. She was thrown into that pyre by the Mughal soldiers. Thus, she also REFERENCES obtained martyrdom on 23 Dec,1704.She is also called final Shaheed of the battle of [1] SGGS Pg 78 Chamkaur. [2] Dr Gopal Singh,Sikh Gurus & Indian -Bibi Deep Kaur-She was a devoted Sikh SpiritualThought,publication Bureau, lady. She was once on her way to Anandpur [3] Punjabi University 1981 pg 169 to see the Guruji,a band of Mughal soldiers [4] The Sikh Review,Vol 61 ;2013,pg 24 attacked her .She gave them a terrible fight [5] Gurdev Singh Hansaro,Ideology of and saved her honour by killing them.Guruji Sikh Gurus,Chandigarh 1990,pg 48 was very much impressed with the bravery [6] SGGS pg 475 of bibi Deep kaur that he called her the true [7] SGGS pg 1413 daughter of the [8] Surinder Singh Kohli, Real Sikhism, Khalsa. Hemkunt Publishers,1994,pg 214 [9] Upinderjit Kaur, Sikh Religion & Conclusion :In conclusion ,we can say that Economic Development, National Book Guruji visualised a society in which there is Organisation,1990,pg 313 [10] SGGS pg 78-79 no gender discrimination .All the steps [11] Surinder Singh Kohli, Real Sikhism, taken by guruji completely revolutionized Hemkunt publishers,1994,pg 214-215 the lives of women in the Northern India. In [12] SGGS pg 473 the present times, we are in dire need to [13] Max Arthur Macauliffe, The Sikh review our past culture to incorporate the Religion, Its Gurus, Sacred writings and moral values in our lives and to adjust [14] Authors, vol I ,pg 81- 82 ourselves in the changing scenario. The Sikh History point clearly to the higher status of

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[15] Sudarshan singh, Sikh Religion; Democratic ideals and institutions,1979,Oriental [16] Publishers and Distributors,pg 138,139 [17] Dasam Granth,pp838-842 as quoted by Sher Singh in his book Social & Political [18] Philosphy of Guru Gobind Singhji [19] Gobind Singh Mansukhani and Dharmjit singh.Guru Gobind Singh-a Cosmic [20] Hero,India book House,1967,pg 74 [21] Abstracts of Sikh Studies[vol XIX,issue 1] Kirpal singh,Badshah Darvesh- Guru [22] Gobind Singhji, pg 39 [23] The Sikh World An Encyclopaedic Survey of Sikh Religion and Culture,Ramesh [24] Chander Dogra, Urmila Dogra, UBS Publishers Distributors Pvt.Ltd.pg112 [25] Narain Singh,Guru gobind singh Retold,published by Dr.Inderjit Singh,All India [26] Pingalwara Charitable society,2012,pg 138,139 [27] Kuir singh,Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvin pg 181 [28] The Sikh Religion, Its Gurus, Sacred writings and Authors, vol IV pg 81.82, [29] Abstracts of Sikh Studies, Vol XVII ,Issue 2, Prabhjot Kaur, Women in Sikh [30] Religion pg 44 [31] ibid, pg 48 [32] A Cosmic Hero, pg 31

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