In December 1986 we had gone to pay homage to Anandpur Sahib, along with our son and his American wife (of Polish and Scotish descent). This was her first visit to India. She was very much impressed to hear about Guru Gobind Singh’s martial training and teaching besides the social and spiritual aspects of the religion. The Fort was still in the good form and it acted as a proof of my narration.

On 5th March, 2000, we took our daughter to Anandpur Sahib. She had come from USA after many years. We were disappointed to notice the absence of original fort, along with the dera of the holy man who had promised me (in 1986) that he will maintain each and every part of the Fort, along with the remnants of the same parts of the Fort, because he knew the value of archaeology.

We and our leaders should give a deep thought to what we are doing for preservation of Sikhism?

Look at the nation of Jews who has suffered for thousand of years and has gone through worst tortures, yet maintained their culture, identity and even got their homeland, "Wailing Wall of Jerusalem", though millennia old, is still preserved. Similarly ‘Macade Hill fort’ keeps alive the memory of the Jews killed by the Romans, when Israeli air force pilots fly past over the Masade Hill fort they vow to "uphold their traditions and protect their country against any aggression." This they do before their final commission and getting their "wings".

What a contrast with our Sikhs whose martial tradition is just 3 centuries old and, instead of even dreaming of preserving it for a millennium, they are out to demolish and destroy the proofs of valour and martial traditions, foundations of which were laid by our unique Prophet Guru Gobind Singh. The only fort built by prophet of a religion in the whole world was still intact till last year, but was demolished and disfigured, for Tricentenary Celebrations. The fort of Anandpur Sahib was not only constructed and located strategically but was also strong and functional. From here Guru Gobind Singh fought battles and won them.

If it was preserved, in times to come it would have been revered like Masade Hill Fort. Not only that, it would have become a model for infantry and cavalry warfare, for the soldiers and officers doing Warfare courses all over the world. It was the Prophet of Sikh religion who made the martial art an essential part of the religion. Centuries ago, in the North Western India, when the Punjabis just prayed in the temples, foreign invaders looted and demolished those very temples in their presence. A strong reason why Prophets of Sikh religion made martial art an essential part of the religion. This made their followers so strong that they changed the course of history of India. Till Guru Gobind Singh instilled martial tradition into the blood of the Sikhs, all the invaders of India came from the North, but after the martial tradition reached its zenith, and they became strong enough to rule, no invader dared to attack India from the North. Countries, like Afghanistan who could not be subdued even by the most powerful countries of the present era (i.e. U.S.S.R. and U.S.A) were easily conquered by the Sikhs and they became part of the Sikh Kingdom.

Operation Bluestar was perpetrated by the powerful Indian rulers, but I am ashamed to say "living examples and images of our martial traditions, like Fort of Anandpur Sahib have been demolished by our own Sikh leaders. They have tried to crush the martial spirit of Sikhs, which was a gift and blessing of Guru Gobind Singh, the only Prophet in the world who amalgamated martialism and spiritualism, thus making his followers strongest in both these spheres. Now our leaders have degraded him and are trying to reduce Sikhs to mere Pujaris who can only pray but can take no action to save themselves, their traditions and their country. When Sikhs are being made weaklings by their own leaders, others are bound to step into their place of martial traditions. Our leaders should forget about their personal aggrandizement for the time being and think of raising the status of Khalsa.

We should remember that Sikhs are not living in Punjab only. They are spread all over the world. Whichever country they go to, they bring about its prosperity. Some are richest in the country of their adoption. Many are doctors, scientists, traders, and shining in almost every field. Some are even world famous in their profession. History of Sikhs is parallel to the history of the Jews. They would like to come back to Punjab to pay homage to their religious and historical monuments. Preservation of these for the posterity is the responsibility of the Punjabis and Indian Sikhs.

We all know that the Sikh Regiments are the most highly decorate in the Indian Army. This tradition was carried on even in the Kargil war. Most recent example of the still existing impact of the martial spirit instilled by Guru Gobind Singh was seen in the role of Sikhs in Kargil war. "Kargil was as much a battle of mind as it was of men". Granthi Daler Singh attached to the 21 Sikh knows it. He was there. And he remembers: "It was very arduous climb up the Tololing peak. The sheer exhaustion of climbing with rations and ammunition in the roar of enemy fire had disheartened the troops. When the Unit’s commanding Officer confided his anxiety about the low morale, I called the troops and gave them inspiring talk on how Guru Gobind Singh had fought. I could see their faces brighten and before long they were up and shouting the battle cry of:

"Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal."

"Mind over matter", by Brig. B. W. Kelson, Director I.N.I. (Indian National Integration Institute, Pune) The Indian Express magazine April 23, 2000.

This battle was fought at the altitude of 16,000 ft. approx. If the Anandpur Sahib Fort would have been preserved and revered like Masade Hill Fort by the Jews (one of the bravest soldiers of the world) our Sikh soldiers in every field of defence services would have come here to pay homage, seek blessings and gain highest possible morale and determination before proceeding to the battle field. Who knows; it may have become site for National Pre War homage and parade for all the soldiers of the country!