Sahibe Kamal – 18

In dedication to Guru Gobind Singh ji

Status of women in most societies of the world has been lower than the men. In India the status of women deteriorated even more after the invasions of Islamic forces. Islamic troops after plundering the country captivated women and used them as object of lust or slave to cook food for the soldiers. This pitiable condition of women was noted by Guru Nanak when he and Mardana were put in jail by the Moguls in Saidpur where he committed genocide. He has written many verses that are enshrined in Granth Sahib regarding the position of women in Hindu society. Hindu society instead of contemplating to better the position of women started condemning them. The women were considered impure to enter many temples so the entry was banned for them. In most religions of the world women were considered as temptress and bad influence on the path to achieve spiritual bliss therefore celibacy was recommended for becoming a priest. The segregation of women from spiritual experience and company of wise men deteriorated her social status to that of an object rather than an individual. The legally married women were subjected to condemnation after the death of her husband and were forced to burn alive on the pyre of their husbands. There was no place for her in the family. Guru Nanak wrote in one of his verse;” why condemn a woman who gives birth to Kings and Leaders?”

Guru Nanak promoted the life of a householder to stop wandering in search of truth. Truth was that we have to promote the procreation for the purpose the Almighty has created a set of human kind to sustain this world and His creation. Guru Amardas ji took many practical measures to upgrade the position of women. Women were to take part in all activities at Goindwal Sahib and come to Durbar without the veil, he promoted widow marriages, he also asked the Emperor Akbar to abolish the widow burning known as Sati Pratha. He created manjis for the missionary work and also appointed women to spread Sikhism. Later Gurus also promoted all these pro women policies of Sikhism but that summit of all this was reached by the Tenth guru when he ordered that all women will now adorn an adjective ‘Kaur” meaning princess to their names. Further to consolidate the tenet of gender equality he asked parents to encourage common names for boys and girls. To regard more respect to women he prohibited Khalsa to have extra-marital relationships. In his strict discipline he wanted to have his Sikhs with highest and purest form of personal and community conduct so he prohibited abduction of women after victories in the battle field. Molestation of Muslim women in battlefields was strictly prohibited and met with severe punishments. Women were encouraged to read and write and also read the Holy Scriptures that was prohibited to women in Hindu society.

The respect given to women was so well ingrained by him that many were ready to fight in the battlefield and started learning the art of weapon wielding. When the 40 soldiers of Guru ji deserted him during the seize of Anandpur Sahib their women folk chided them for deserting the Guru in adverse time and didn’t allow them entry into homes. These men returned to the battlefield and gave a tough fight to Moguls near Isharsar and all of them fell. One of the Sikh was still alive when Guru ji reached this place where they were all lying fallen. The injured Sikh Mahan Singh begged Guruji to tear off the letter they had given before desertion. Guruji blessed the 40 men as 40 Muktas - the immortals. The place Isharsar is now known as Muktsar. Respect shown to women was taken with full gratitude and they have become the carriers of Sikh heritage.