SUNDRI by Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh

Translation by Bimal Kaur

PART VIII

The Mosque was crammed with people, who waited in silence for the drama to begin.

The Mulla addressed the two figures in an authoritative voice, "Do you, Balwant Singh, willingly agree to accept Islam?"

Balwant Singh: "It is death, I willingly and joyfully accept!"

The Mulla turned to the Nawab and said, " He is a stubborn one. He will not agree easily. You will have to cut off his head or use force -------".

Nawab: "Yes, your second suggestion is good."

Mulla: "Is the barber present? "

Barber: "Yes, my Lord,"

Mulla: "Come here and remove this fellow's hair."

Barber: "As you wish, my Lord."

The barber opened his bag and took out a sharp razor, but as he approached he glanced at Balwant Singh's face and immediately moved back, such was the threat In the Singh's angry face. Immediately four guards moved up and roughly caught hold of Balwant Singh so that he could not move. As the barber approached him again, the figure standing quietly by, suddenly flung the ‘burqa’ aside and grabbing the barber by his scrawny shoulders gave him such a push that he went rolling like a football across the courtyard.

The people were stunned to see the vibrant beauty of the young girl, and looked on in silence. The Nawab looked as if he had been struck by lightning. The Mulla made a sign to the two nearest guards, who immediately caught the brave girl and pulling her hands behind her back tied them securely.

The barber got up, and brushed his clothes. He came forward for yet another attempt. Sawaswati looked at her beloved brother with eyes filled with love and despair. For her sake her gallant brother was to go through such dishonor!

Just then, a loud banging was heard from the bazaar and a cloud of dust could be seen, Some thought it was a dust storm, others felt a house had collapsed or there was an earthquake.

Soon it became clear that armed horsemen were fighting with the soldiers. One small group entered the Mosque like the wind and with a loud victory call they snatched up Balwant Sinqh and his sister and forced their way out through the crowds.

Surrounded by the rest of the party, this army of Sikhs moved like lightning through the bazaar towards its Eastern gate.

Suddenly their leader called, ‘Halt’! and their way was blocked by soldiers who had recovered from the shock and were ready to attack.

Sardar Sham Singh pointed silently to two soldiers with cannon which were partially hidden. Immediately his ace shooters took aim and let off a volley from their hand guns, with the result that the two soldiers fell on the road like dead birds.

Another group with bows and arrows then let off a shower of arrows knocking out the rest who stood guard at the gate. Battering this down, they rode out to be faced by another bunch of soldiers.

With their swords raised, the Sikh warriors rushed through, slashing left and right till they were clear, and soon disappeared from sight.

. . . Continued to Part  9.

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