Topics

Damdami Taksal

The Taksal from its origins with Baba Deep Singh to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and after.

Read through from the startShow only this topic on the timeline

Arrow keys move through the list; Enter opens

1. 1705-1706Guru Gobind Singh at Damdama Sahib: the Damdama Bir and the origins of the Damdami TaksalGuru Gobind Singh rests at Talwandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib) in 1706, where Bhai Mani Singh writes out a fresh Guru Granth Sahib; the Taksal's own founding story goes further than the record.
2. Nov 11, 1757Shaheedi of Baba Deep Singh at AmritsarAged 75, Baba Deep Singh marches on Amritsar to free Sri Harmandir Sahib from Afghan forces and falls in its precincts; he is also honoured as a founder of the Damdami Taksal.
3. 1977-78Bhindranwale's Panthic profile growsBuilding base for subsequent crisis
4. Aug 1977Bhindranwale becomes Taksal JathedarPre-political inauguration of key 1984 figure
5. Apr 13, 1978Nirankari Amritsar Clash (13 Sikh Shaheeds)On 13 April 1978 a Sikh march on the Sant Nirankari convention at Amritsar ended in 13 Sikh deaths by the Encyclopaedia's count (at least 17 dead in all); the 64 accused were set free in 1980.
6. Jan 1980Baba Gurbachan Singh acquittedJudicial protection of anti-Sikh violence
7. Sep 20, 1981Chando Kalan raid, then firing at Mehta ChowkSacred texts burnt; at least 12 killed at the surrender
8. Dec 15, 1983Bhindranwale moves to Akal TakhtProgressive militarization
9. Jun 1-10, 1984Operation Blue StarAkal Takht left in ruins; Bhindranwale and Shahbeg Singh killed
10. Jan 26, 1986Sarbat Khalsa at Sri Akal Takht SahibPanthic Committee constituted; SGPC declared dissolved

Also in this topic

• Akhand Kirtani JathaA Panthic jatha devoted to akhand kirtan and a strict rehit, associated with Bhai Randhir Singh. Its members, led by Bhai Fauja Singh, marched with the Damdami Taksal on 13 April 1978 at Amritsar.
• Baba Deep Singh JiFounder of the Shahid misl and of the Damdami Taksal; Shaheed of 1757
• HBaba Harnam Singh KhalsaHead of the Damdami Taksal (Mehta Chowk)
• JBaba Joginder SinghFather of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale; leader of the United Akali Dal
• TBaba Thakur SinghActing head of Damdami Taksal, 1984 to 2004
• ABhai Amrik SinghPresident of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF); Damdami Taksal leader
• WBhai Wassan Singh ZaffarwalMember of the Panthic Committee (1986); head of a Khalistan Commando Force faction
• Damdami TaksalThe Sikh school of Gurbani recitation and meaning at Mehta Chowk, led from 1977 to 1984 by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Its origin is told two ways: the Taksal's account and the Encyclopaedia's.
• DDevendra FadnavisChief Minister of Maharashtra (BJP)
• GGirish MahajanCabinet minister in the Maharashtra government (BJP)
• Gurdwara Yaadgaar ShaheedanMemorial inside the Golden Temple complex to those killed in the army attack of June 1984, built by Damdami Taksal kar sewa with SGPC approval. Kar sewa began in May 2012 and it opened in April 2013.
• JJasbir Singh RodeFormer Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib (1988); nephew of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale
• Mehta ChowkVillage 40 km north of Amritsar, seat of the Damdami Taksal, where Bhindranwale was elected head in 1977 and returned in September 1981 before police firing killed 12 to 22 (counts differ).
• GSant Gurbachan Singh KhalsaHead (jathedar) of the Damdami Taksal, 1930 to 1969
• JSant Jarnail Singh BhindranwaleHead of the Damdami Taksal; Dharam Yudh Morcha leader; killed in Operation Blue Star
• KSant Kartar Singh BhindranwaleHead (Jathedar) of the Damdami Taksal, 1969 to 1977
• Sant Nirankaris (Sant Nirankari Mission)A Delhi-based movement with a living Satguru, begun in the 1920s or 1930s as an offshoot of the Nirankaris; its 1978 Amritsar convention led to a clash that killed Sikhs.
• Takht Sri Damdama SahibOne of the five takhts, at Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh stayed in 1706 and Bhai Mani Singh prepared a fresh Guru Granth Sahib; the SGPC approved its status as a takht in 1966.
• The Nanakshahi calendar: why did the SGPC drop it?Pal Singh Purewal's fixed-date calendar was adopted in 2003 and amended in 2010. The SGPC says its calendar is still Nanakshahi; the PSGPC and some diaspora gurdwaras keep the original.
• Was Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale a separatist who demanded Khalistan?His recorded words: Khalistan not asked for, not opposed, and accepted if Delhi gave it. What the speeches, reporters and the Anandpur Sahib Resolution show, and what each side says.