BANJARAS IN SIKH RELIGION

MAKKHAN SHAH LUBANA was an Indian merchant who had trade links with far-off countries. He took merchandise from India to sell in far-off countries. Once a ship carrying Makkhan Shah's consignments was struck by a storm. The ship was sinking slowly. Makkhan Shah then prayed silently to Guru Teg Bahadur. What followed then was not less than a miracle. The ship began to emerge as if some strong shoulder supported and sailed her ashore. In his prayer, Makkhan Shah had promised to present five hundred gold coins in his service. When his ship was saved and reached home safely, Makkhan Shah went straight away to Bakale to see Guru Tegh Bahadur.

He had taken five hundred gold coins with him to present it to the Guru. There, he saw 22 imposters in the guise of the Guru. Sequentially, he put five coins before each of them. He was sure that the real Guru would unfailingly remind him of his promise to pay five hundred coins. When none of the 22 Gurus reminded him of his promise, Makkhan Shah understood that they were all imposters. Ultimately, he reached Bhora where Guru Teg Bahadur was performing penance. The Guru's both shoulders were bleeding profusely. Makkhan Shah put five coins before him too, but the Guru reminded him of five hundred coins. Hearing these words, Makkhan Shah was overjoyed that he had found his Guru. At once, he climbed over a roof and called out loudly: “have found the true Guru”.

LAKHI SHAH BANJARA. Guru Tegh Bahdur was killed by Mogul ruler Aurangazeb in 1675. There was panic all around after Guru Teg Bahadur's death. With the suggestion of Lakhi Shah Banjara, Bhai Jaita and Bhai Uda arranged to take the head and the torso of Guru Teg Bahadur in their custody. Lakkhi Shah Banjara reached Chandni Chowk and carried Guru's torso in a bullock cart to his home three miles away. There, setting his house on fire, he performed last rites of the Guru. There exists a Gurudwara Rakabganj in New Delhi at the site of cremation. On the other hand, Bhai Jaita found the head of Guru. With Bhai Uda, he took the head and reached to Gobind Singh. Gobind Singh embraced both of them and said: 'Rang Rete Guru Ke Bete' (the true sepoys are the sons of Guru). At the place where Guru Teg Bahadur's head was cremated in Chandni Chowk, there exists Gurudwara Shishganj now.