5 Courageous Sikh Women

Sikh women have demonstrated and lived a life of high morals and ideals. They have not only practised but also preached the faith of the Gurus. Sikh women have taken part in all aspects of life, from fighting on the battlefield, to travelling the country and spreading the teachings of the Gurus. Even those who did not live the “adventurous” life, played an immensely important role of raising the next generation of saints and soldiers ready to serve the Sikh faith. It is down to these brave and honourable women that the Sikhs today can be so proud of our history.

1. Bibi Roop Kaur

Bibi jee was brought up by Guru Har Rai Jee with a lot of care and love. She was loved by Guru Sahib’s Sahibzaday. She was very intelligent and did the great seva of noting every word spoken by Guru Har Rai Jee. She kept a daily record and wrote in a very academic manner. Her notes are now a valuable part of the Panthik literature—she compiled 32 stories of Guru Har Rai Jee and was the first woman editor.

bibi 4

2. Bibi Bhan Kaur Chhiniwal

Bibi jee was a very spiritual and devoted Sikh. She was rumored to be near 7ft tall and was very strong and fit. She tied a huge dumalla like her brothers and was the Jathedar of a Gurmat Parchar Jatha. She did parchar day and night and joined many people with Sikhi. She was married to Sardar Bhan Singh who was just as devoted to Sikhi as her. She started a movement in her area where she encouraged people to take amrit before they married. She spoke out against Granthis who conducted the Anand Karajs of non-Amritdharis, which at the time was not allowed as per Sikh traditions. She guided 90 couples to take amrit before their wedding and set up other women to preach Gurmat in their areas.

Sikh Bibi 2

3. Bibi Balbir Kaur

Bibi Jee had a very spiritual mind and was very hurt when she learned about the deaths of Sikhs that were gunned down by the British during the movement to liberate Gurdwara Sahibs from the hands of corrupt masands. Bibi Balbir Kaur and some other women decided to join in on the peaceful protests to liberate the Gurdwaras.

At the time Bibi jee was carrying her two year old child, many of her brothers told her not to carry on further because she had her child with her, she replied with folded hands “I have vowed to serve the community, I shall deem myself fortunate if I am martyred along with 500 brothers. Our Gurus have bestowed equality to women. It would be sacrilegious that I should not be allowed to proceed further. If you are worried about my child, let him serve the community. He cannot have a better chance in life.”

After saying this there was a shower of bullets that filled the air, blood was everywhere and many fell to the ground, some of them died on the spot and attained martyrdom. A stray bullet struck the child through his ear and he died instantly. She was such a brave soul, she laid her sons dead body alongside the other wounded and killed and carried on marching. This is how courageous Sikh women were; they lived and died for their faith.

3280899719_bdd6ca4088_z

4. Bibi Sahib Kaur

Bibi Sahib Kaur was the daughter of Raja Amar Singh of Patiala. Her brother Raja Sahib Singh was a weak and gullible character. In 1729 the Patiala Kingdom was in disarray and in real danger of collapsing so Bibi Sahib Kaur took on the administration to great effect. She lead in battles against the Marhatta invaders and defeated them.

In 1796, when the Sanyasis at Hardwar snatched and burnt a saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, she was hurt by this sacrilege and attacked them. In 1797 George Thomas invaded Punjab, the Sikhs fought back but did not have protection against the British artillery fire so they were retreated. Bibi Sahib Kaur joined the battle after getting all her Sikh brothers to pledge in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji that there will be no retreat. The Sikhs were victorious and the British lost their General Hopkins.

George Thomas wrote: “Sahib Kaur was a better soldier than her brother and instances indeed have not occurred infrequently were Sikh women have actually taken up arms to defend their inhabitants from desultory attacks of the enemy. Throughout the attacks they acted with the intrepidity of spirit that was highly praiseworthy.”

bibi 1

5. Bibi Deep Kaur

A group of baptised Sikhs and their families went to see Guru Gobind Singh Ji, where they received his blessings. A group of men and women from Majha were on their way to Anandpur Sahib, in this group was a young girl at the age of 21 called Bibi Deep Kaur.

The group broke their journey for the night, unfortunately the activities of the Sikhs were being watched closely by spies. Bibi Deep Kaur found herself in the hands of three armed spies. With no time for the girl to judge the intentions of the men, in a flash she drew her sword and killed two of them and injured the third. The news broke out to the rest of the group; they dressed her wound and carried on with their journey. Guru Gobind Singh Ji heard about this and was extremely pleased and blessed Bibi Deep Kaur. The sangat was so electrified about Bibi Ji’s bravery that at the same place many girls received Amrit.

bibi 5

May we forever remember our Mother, Mata Sahib Kaur and her legions of daughters who have upheld the honour and dignity of the Khalsa Panth!

A Special thanks to National Sikh Museum, UK for the information. nationalsikhmuseum.com1. Bibi Roop Kaur- Bibi jee was brought up by Guru Har Rai Jee with a lot of care and love. She was loved by Guru Sahib’s Sahibzaday. She was very intelligent and did the great seva of noting every word spoken by Guru Har Rai Jee. She kept a daily record and wrote in a very academic manner. Her notes are now a valuable part of the Panth, she complied 32 stories of Guru Har Rai Jee, and was the first women editor.

2. Bibi Bhan Kaur Chhiniwal- Bibi jee was a very spiritual and devoted Sikh. She was 7ft tall and was very strong and fit. She tied a huge dumalla like her brothers and was the Jathedar of a Gurmat Parchar Jatha. She did parchar day and night and joined many people with Sikhi. She was married to Sardar Bhan Singh who was just as devoted to Sikhi as her. She started a movement in her area where she encouraged people to take amrit before they married. She spoke out against Granthis who conducted the Anand Karajs of non-Amritdharis. She guided 90 couples to take amrit before their wedding and set up other women to preach Gurmat in their areas.

3. Bibi Balbir Kaur- Bibi Jee had a very spiritual mind and was very hurt when she learned about the deaths of Sikhs that were gunned down by the British during the movement to liberate Gurdwara Sahibs from the hands of corrupt masands. Bibi Balbir Kaur and some other women decided to join in on the peaceful protests to liberate the Gurdwaras. At the time Bibi jee was carrying her two year old child, many of her brothers told her not to carry on further because she had her child with her, she replied with folded hands “I have vowed to serve the community, I shall deem myself fortunate if I am martyred along with 500 brothers. Our Gurus have bestowed equality to women. It would be sacrilegious that I should not be allowed to proceed further. If you are worried about my child, let him serve the community. He cannot have a better chance in life” After saying this there was a shower of bullets that filled the air, blood was everywhere and many fell to the ground, some of them died on the spot and attained martyrdom. A stray bullet struck the child through his ear and he died instantly. She was such a brave soul, she laid her sons dead body alongside the other wounded and killed and carried on marching. This is how courageous Sikh women were;they lived and died for their faith.

4. Bibi Sahib Kaur was the daughter of Raja Amar Singh of Patiala. Her brother Raja Sahib Singh was a weak and gullible character. In 1729 the Patiala Kingdom was in disarray and in real danger of collapsing so Bibi Sahib Kaur took on the administration to great effect. She lead in battles against the Marhatta invaders and defeated them. In 1796, the Sanyasis at Hardar snatched and burnt a saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, she was hurt by this sacrilege and attacked them. In 1797 George Thomas invaded Punjab, the Sikhs fought back but not have protection against the British artillery fire so they were retreated. Bibi Sahib Kaur joined the battle after getting all her Sikh brothers to pledge in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji that there will be no retreat. The Sikhs were victorious and the British lost their General Hopkins. George Thomas wrote: “Sahib Kaur was a better soldier than her brother and instances indeed have not occurred infrequently were Sikh women have actually taken up arms to defend their inhabitants from desultory attacks of the enemy. Throughout the attacks they acted with the intrepidity of spirit that was highly praiseworthy”

5. Bibi Deep Kaur- A group of baptised Sikhs and their families went to see Guru Gobind Singh Ji, where they received his blessings. A group of men and women from Majha were on their way to Anandpur Sahib, in this group was a young girl at the age of 21 called Bibi Deep Kaur. The group broke their journey for the night, unfortunately the activities of the Sikhs were being watched closely by spies. Bibi Deep Kaur found herself in the hands of three armed spies. With no time for the girl to judge the intentions of the men, in a flash she drew her sword and killed tow of them and injured the third. The news broke out to the rest of the group; they dressed her wound and carried on with their journey. Guru Gobind Snigh Ji heard about this and was extremely pleased to hear this and blessed Bibi Deep Kaur, the sangat was so electrified about Bibi Ji’s bravery that at the same place many girls received Amrit.

Sikh women have demonstrated and lived a life of high morals and ideals. They have not only practised but also preached the faith of the Gurus. Sikh women have taken part in all aspects of life, from fighting on the battlefield, to travelling the country and spreading the teachings of the Gurus. Even those who did not live the “adventurous” life, played an immensely important role of raising the next generation of saints and soldiers ready to serve the Sikh faith. It is down to theese brave and honourble women that the Sikhs today can be so proud of our history.

May we forever remember our Mother, Mata Sahib Kaur and her legions of daughters who have upheld the honour and dignity of the Khalsa Panth!

A Special thanks to National Sikh Museum for the information.
www.nationalsikhmuseum.com

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks for wonderful article. After reading I tried to remember, when I was little kid my mom used to tell tale of Sikh warrior’s including womans warriors. Now a days I dont find reference to a woman Sikh warrior who jumped from a fort on a horse, her name started with “S” … maybe Satwant Kaur… and there was another woman who fought against mughals and died in the battle field… I only remember Mai Bagho jee. Your article introduced me to Bibi Sahib Kaur ji and Bibi Deep Kaur ji, I thankyou.

    We need to teach about woman warriors in the Gurudwara Sahib but Sikhs are lacking interest in teaching about woman contributions to Sikh panth.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here