Battle of the Sarsa
As the column from Anandpur reached the flooded Sarsa stream, the besiegers attacked. Many Sikhs and much of the Guru's writing were lost, and the family was split up.
On the night of 20 December 1704 the Guru's column left Anandpur under the promise of safe passage. Within hours the Mughal and hill armies fell on it.
At the Sarsa, a stream in flood from winter rains, the column was caught in the dark and the cold. The rearguard, under Bhai Udai Singh and others, fought to hold the enemy while the rest crossed; most were killed. Many Sikhs and much of the Guru's library and writings were swept away by the flood.
In the confusion the Guru's family was scattered. His mother and two youngest sons went one way and were betrayed to Sirhind; his wives were taken to Delhi by Bhai Mani Singh; the Guru, his two elder sons and some forty Sikhs went on to Chamkaur. Gurdwara Parivar Vichhora, 'the separation of the family', stands at the place.
Same era
Mughal Punjab, 1526 – 1705
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