"Brother Balwant Singh and his sister are captives in Doaba, and will be forcibly converted to Islam on the coming Friday,’ he told them.

The Sikhs were outraged to hear this news. Their blood boiled at this tyranny, and especially at the thought of a young girl in Mughal captivity. They were ready for action and the air rang with the sound of "Guru! Guru! Guru!"

Bhai Sam Singh gathered all the Sikhs together and told them, "We must leave immediately, There is no time to waste. We shall see what food we can get on the way. Lets go!"

The whole 'Jatha' of Sikhs tightened the reins of their horses and rode off as one.

It is a cloudy day, and a strong wind is chasing the dark clouds across the sky, so that the sun, cannot be seen, At times the wind turns into a gentle breeze, but after some time, it freshens again, blowing dust all over the place.

The people, mostly Mughals are busily moving around, while some poor shop - keepers sit in resigned silences in their shops.

The big Mosque is a hive of activity. Groups of men are coming in and sitting down, till the place is over - flowing with people. Fully armed soldiers are standing guard outside the main gate of the Mosque.

Just then a palanquin, borne on the shoulders of four Brahmins comes into view. In it sits the senior Mullaji who had been specially invited. He comes out of the palanquin and enters the Mosque, where he is respectfully escorted to a seat at the front.

The Nawab comes next with his armed guards, and immediately behind them is a closed palanquin followed by a young man on foot, whose hands and feet are in chains. He is wearing dirty and torn clothes, with a small turban on his head. This is tied so loosely that long strands of hair have escaped on to the nape of his neck. He has an anxious expression on his face but his eyes are flashing defiance and anger at the lookers - on.