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Punjab had been the area that formed the hub of Indus Civilization. Important sites like Harrapa & Ropar have shown the prosperity, Art, Culture, Trade, Faith habitation and lifestyle of the people in those early times. From the pre-historic times, this part of Area has been known as a land where fighting was a rule. A number of war lords had invaded and forced their entry into the plains of Five Rivers and many of them made their permanent base here. But after some time, another invader came with more force resulting turbulence and successive fighting. The Punjab being the gateway of India was made by geography and history to form the arena where multiracial and multi-sided conflicts had to rage endlessly. In this way, the local people of Punjab had to struggle against outsiders relentlessly for their existence. Thus, their determination to live life strengthened and a remarkable community known for its value, fortitude and high sense came to be forged in this part of India. Now, the Punjab of today has acquired a character of high minded adventure, sportsmanship and strong resistant to domination at all levels.
The Punjab has a distinct honor of having composed Vedas mainly on the banks of rivers of ancient Punjab. The Rig Veda is the testimony of Punjabi Culture and faith. When the Aryans settled here, they made the rearing of new Punjab societies on the lines of warfare. Later on, Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ji prepared Punjabis to carry on an ever ready weapon of defense and offence.
If we talk about the epic age, the great battle of Mahabharata was fought in this land of warriors. An other example of the people who welcome death and make it honor. The great philosophy of Karam Yoga was evolved in this land, when the Rishi Ved Vyasa composed the great discourse by Lord Krishna named 'Gita' in this part of the continent. This is why the Punjab remains Karam Yogi area till today. When we came to Ramayana, it is told that the famous battle between Rama and his two sons Love-Kusha was fought at temple of Ram Tirath which is about 10 miles from Amritsar. It is also told that the two young warriors later founded two historical cities of Lahore and Kasur which were the part of pre-divided Punjab.
The Punjab and its people are also known for bravely tackling and defeating the invasion of Alexandra, the great King who started his endeavor as a winner and succeeded in capturing the most part of the world, was stopped and defeated by King Porus in this land. It is pertinent to recall that army of Alexandra refused to cross river Beas and mutinied and turned back, thus giving a big defeat to unconquered King. The same history was repeated when in 1965, the army of General Ayub Khan tried to cross this river during Indo-Pakistan War but failed.
Punjab had constantly been under invasions. After Aryans from Central Asia, come Iranians, Tibetans, Kambojas, Sakas, Turkis, Pathans, Mangols and many others who tested their arms on the Punjab soil and settled down as a part of Punjabi Community.
The Punjab is the land where Sufi Saints like Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu and Bulle Shah composed their Sufiana Kalam. This is also the place where love tales like Heer-Ranjha, Sassi-Punu, Mirza-Sahiba enthralled the people with their passion of love.
Introduction of Punjab cannot be completed if we don't discuss Bhakti Movement and Sikhism. In the time of Guru Nanak Bhakti Movement had bifurcated into Nirguna and Sarguna branches which were substantially different from Guru Nanak's concept of devotional love. Guru Nanak advocated a full blooded living of complete social responsibility of working hard and earning through the sweat of labour and sharing earnings with each other. Guru Nanak sought to demolish the caste divide in the society and preached for equality. His successor Gurus also followed his path. From Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh, every Guru made their existence by pursuing one or other social cause. Guru Nanak Dev Ji raised his voice against the oppression of King Babar and wrote beautiful couplets in this regard. The Fourth Guru Ram Dass ji started building Golden Temple in the middle of the sacred Pond (Sarover). The Guru requested a Muslim Faqir Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of the same, thus starting a new wave of Hindu-Muslim unity. The Fifth Guru edited Adi Granth in which Bani (Poetry) of Muslims and Hindu Saints formed a major part alongwith the Bani of five Sikh Gurus. The Ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur also sacrificed his life for the honour of mankind. Similarly, the Tenth Guru sacrificed all of his family. The Tenth Guru Gobind Singh ji was the spirit behind the incarnation of Sabad as Guru.
Thus, we can say that Punjab has travelled a long to reach this modern era, Punjabis has contributed a lot for the pride of Modern India specially the sacrifices made by its people during independence can never be forgotten. |
