Frontcover Of The Book 'The Life And Times of Banda Singh Bahadur' By Harish Dhillon

Banda Singh Bahadur appeared in Sikh history for a relatively short period (1708-1716) but, after the Sikh gurus, influenced it more significantly than any other individual

Banda Singh Bahadur is among the most colourful and fascinating characters in Sikh history. From an ascetic he was transformed into Guru Gobind Singh's most trusted disciple. So much so that when the seriously injured guru could not lead his Sikh army against the Mughal forces, he appointed Banda Singh Bahadur as his deputy. As proof of this appointment he gave Banda his sword, a mighty bow, arrows from his own quiver, his battle standard and his war drum.

Banda rode out from Nanded (where Guru Gobind Singh passed away; now in Maharashtra) at the head of a small band of Sikhs, which, by the time it reached the Punjab, had grown into a formidable army. Over the next few years his exploits against the Mughal rulers, both in pitched battles and in skirmishes, became the stuff of legends. He became the first of many legendary Sikh generals, famous both for their personal heroic courage and their skill in warfare. His many encounters with the Mughal rulers eroded the very foundation of the Mughal empire and ensured its quick demise. As he said when questioned on what he had achieved: 'I have ensured that never again will the crown sit easily on the Mughal emperor's head.' He also prepared the coming generations of Sikhs for future conflicts, which later greatly helped Maharaja Ranjit Singh in creating a Sikh empire.

Banda was a true leader who led from the front, not only in the battlefield but also in civil administration. He established a secular government which swept aside 700 years of slavery and the myth of domination by foreign powers, proclaimed freedom of worship, allowed the people to follow professions of their choice and stopped forcible marriages even while recovering abducted women for return to their families. His land revolution abolished zamindari in parts of North India, thereby redistributing land equally amongst the tillers.

This book seeks to tell the story of this remarkable and brave man and his equally remarkable achievements. Perhaps, the finest of Banda Singh Bahadur's biographies.

About the Author 'Harish Dhillon' of 'The Life And Times of Banda Singh Bahadur'

Author of eleven books, Harish Dhillon has taught English for forty-four years. He has also written numerous articles and features. Starting his career at Lucknow University, he moved first to Lawrence School, Sanawar (in Himachal Pradesh), and then to the two Yadavindra Public Schools at Patiala and Mohali (near Chandigarh, in northern India). Currently editorial consultant to The Tribune newspaper and advisor to the Board of Governors of the two Yadavindra Public Schools, he lives in Dharampur amidst the Shimla hills, close to Sanawar.