Thousands of Sikhs participated in the Fateh March on Sunday, to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, a prominent Sikh warrior and leader of the 18th century, and to honour his contributions to the Sikh community.
The march, organised by the Central Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (CGPC), the apex body of the Sikhs in Jamshedpur, started from Tinplate Gurudwara, and passed through various areas before culminating at Sakchi Gurdwara.
The participants, including men, women, and children, dressed in traditional Sikh attire and carrying religious banners and flags, chanted slogans of "Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal" (He who speaks shall be blessed, True is the Lord) and "Jassa Singh Ramgarhia de Fateh" (Victory to Jassa Singh Ramgarhia).
SSP Prabhat Kumar along with CGPC president Bhagwan Singh and Sardar Shailendra Singh were present at the flagging off march.
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was born on May 5, 1723, in the village of Ichogil in present-day Pakistan. He belonged to the Ramgarhia clan of the Sikhs, which was known for its expertise in fortification and siege warfare. Jassa Singh played a key role in defending the Sikh confederacy against the Afghan and Mughal invaders and in expanding the Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The marchers also distributed sweets and water to the people who came to watch them and offered prayers at Palki Sahib.
The Fateh March is seen as a tribute to Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and a reaffirmation of the Sikh community's identity and heritage. The organisers have appealed to the participants to maintain peace and harmony.
The Fateh March ended at Sakchi where the CGPC president and other dignitaries addressed the gathering and paid their respects to Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. The event passed off peacefully, without any report of violence or disruption.
The Khalsa Fateh March is seen as a show of strength by the Sikhs and a message to the government to respect their rights and demands.
The police deployed thousands of personnel and set up barricades and checkpoints to ensure the smooth conduct of the march and prevent any untoward incident.
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, also known as Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, was a prominent Sikh leader and warrior during the 18th century. He played a crucial role in defending the Sikh community against external forces, including the Mughals and the Afghans.
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was born into a carpenter family in the village of Ahlu in Punjab in 1723. He became a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of Sikhism, and participated in various battles to protect the community.
One of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's most significant contributions was the construction of the Ramgarhia Fort in Amritsar in 1757. The fort served as a bastion of defense against the Afghan invasions and played a crucial role in safeguarding the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine.
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was also a skilled warrior and strategist. He participated in numerous battles, including the Battle of Sirhind in 1764, where he led a successful attack against the Mughal forces.
Today, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia is remembered as a hero and a symbol of Sikh bravery and resilience. The Sikh community honours his legacy by celebrating his birth anniversary, which falls on the first day of the month of Magh in the Punjabi calendar.
