Reality on Sardaron ke Baarah kyun Bajte hain?

You may have heard a lot of jokes on Sikhs and Sardars. Especially this one, Sardar tere baarah baj gaye. I was always flabbergasted on this joke and was always keen to know why it is so-called. Long it’s been the most popular way of mocking at a Sikh. Fortunately, I got the reason, and now I am discussing with you all guys. The story goes as I was at a station when from a passing train a person shouted at the Sikh standing next to me, “Baarah baj gaye sardar ji?” (Is it 12?)I was shocked to see that Sikh’s reaction which was a gentle smile. With a little hesitation, I asked him, “You didn’t get angry on that person or shouted back… rather have a smile!”. The generous and naïve guy give me a splendid reason. This is what he told me as the reason for his behaviour.

Also Read: Sikh Gurus and their teachings

During the 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept Islam or face death. During this period ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji came forward, in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against these cruel activities. So our Guruji went to the Mughal emperor and told him that if he succeeded in converting him to Islam, he would ensure that all the Hindus would accept the same. But, if he failed, he should stop all these atrocities. The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji along with his other four fellows were tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk.

Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were assassinated. Thus, our ninth Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of the Hindu religion. In history, can you show me any instances of anybody laying down his life for the protection of another religion?

This is the reason he is still remembered as “Hind Ki Chaddar”, a shield of India. The people for whose sake he had sacrificed his life did not have the guts to came forward to lift his body, fearing that they too would also be assassinated. Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji, Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadur ji) founder of Khalsa (the Pure) made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide  themselves and could be easily identified.

At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying a lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him.

The news spread like a fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army  at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah’s Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their homes.

 It didn’t happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army (although fewer in numbers) attacked them at midnight, 12 O’clock and rescued all the women. After that time when there was a need, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help and the Sikhs used to attack the raiders at Midnight, 12 O’clock.

 Nowadays, these “smart people” have spread these words that at 12 O’clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses.

”  It is easy to joke on a Sardar, but It’s too difficult to be a Sardar”. 

I hope this article will enlighten the mind and Sikhs will be stopped to be humiliated by these jokes. If you like this article, share it with everyone. Do not forget to give feedback in comments.