Bassi Kalan is a village in India, 12 kilometres from the district capital Hoshiarpur, near the Himachal Pradesh state border.[1] Its population is about 10,000 people, mainly Hindus and (Saini and Harijans). It's situated in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab.

Bassi Kalan
Village
Bassi Kalan is located in Punjab
Bassi Kalan
Bassi Kalan
Location in Punjab, India
Bassi Kalan is located in India
Bassi Kalan
Bassi Kalan
Location in India
Coordinates: 31°26′53″N 76°00′11″E / 31.448°N 76.003°E / 31.448; 76.003
Country India
StatePunjab
DistrictHoshiarpur
Population
 • Total
10,000
Languages
 • OfficialPunjabi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
146102
Telephone code1884

Saido Patti (1 km), Mehina (1 km), Parsowal (2 km), Chabewal (2 km), Rajni Devi (2 km) are nearby villages. Mahadev Temple is 2 km away from the village.

There is a dispensary clinic. The Delhi-Chandigarh road also passes through it. There is also a telephone exchange and post office. There is a temple of Mata Dineshwari inside the village where Jagran is held every year on 28 May. There is another ancient temple which is known as Bodi. There is a primary school, Government Senior Secondary School, and Lala Lajpat Rai Siksha Kender School.

History

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Siege of Bassi Kalan
Part of Mughal-Sikh Wars
Date7 March 1703[2]
Location
Result Sikh Victory
Belligerents
  Khalsa (Sikhs)   Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
  Sahibzada Ajit Singh
  Bhai Udai Singh
  Bhai Karam Singh 
  Jabar Jang Khan (POW)
Strength
100[2] Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

A skirmish was fought between the Sikh forces led by Sahibzada Ajit Singh and the Mughal forces led by Jabar Khan.[3]

Background

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A Brahmin appeared in the Guru's court and with a stentorian invocation for his assistance against a group of Pathans, whom he had claimed forcibly abducted his bride at Bassi Kalan.[4] The Brahmin, who was named Devaki Das, made a petition to Guru Gobind Singh, who assigned Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Bhai Udai Singh the task of recovering the lady.[5] He took a force of 100 horsemen with him.[6]

Battle

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Upon arriving the Sikhs put siege on the village. They successfully rescued the bride.[7][2]

Aftermath

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The Brahmin and his wife apparently had been overcome with a keen sense of gratefulness towards the Sikh guru for his assistance.[8] They unceasingly praised Ajit Singh in-particular.[9] Jabar Khan was taken prisoner and received a punishment.[4][7]

Gurdwaras

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Five gurdwaras were built in order to remember the battle:

  • Gurdwara Sahibzada Ajit Singh - Where the clash took place
  • Gurdwara Sahib Shahidan, Ladhewal - Where Sikhs were cremated
  • Gurdwara Shahidan (Harian Vailan) - Where Sikhs were cremated
  • Gurdwara Baba Ajit Singh, Baddon - Where Bhai Karam Singh was cremated
  • Gurdwara Chukhandi Sahib - Where Sikhs were cremated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Dilagīra, Harajindara Siṅgha (1997). The Sikh reference book. The Sikh Educational Trust. p. 133. ISBN 0-9695964-2-1.
  2. ^ a b c Kaushisha, Swarupa Singh (2005). Bhai Swaroop Singh Kaushish's Guru Kian Saakhian : tales of the Sikh gurus. Pritpal Singh Bindra (1st ed.). Amritsar: Singh Brothers. pp. 160–161. ISBN 8172053363. OCLC 1330349806.
  3. ^ Dilagīra, Harajindara Siṅgha (1997). The Sikh reference book. The Sikh Educational Trust. p. 133. ISBN 0-9695964-2-1.
  4. ^ a b Macauliffe, Max Arthur (1996) [1909]. The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings, and Authors. Low Price Publications. p. 154. ISBN 978-81-86142-31-8. OCLC 1888987.
  5. ^ Harajindara Siṅgha Dilagīra (1997). The Sikh reference book. p. 133. ISBN 9780969596424.
  6. ^ H. S. Singh (2000). The encyclopedia of Sikhism : over 1000 entries. Hemkunt Press. p. 32. ISBN 9788170103011.
  7. ^ a b Sangat Singh (2001). The Sikhs In History. Uncommon Books. p. 54. ISBN 9788190065023.
  8. ^ Surjit Singh Gandhi (2004). A Historians Approach To Guru Gobind Singh. Singh Bros. p. 261. ISBN 9788172053062.
  9. ^ Harbans Singh (1966). Guru Gobind Singh. p. 104.