Bandi Chhor Divas

The Emperor Jahangir ordered Sri Guru Hargobind Ji to be held in Gwalior Fort. The Dabistan-i-Mazahib says the charge was an unpaid fine imposed on Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism says the sources give periods from forty days to twelve years. Its own conclusion is a few months between 1617 and 1619.

Sikhs are said to have travelled to Gwalior in groups during this time, and to have bowed outside the walls when they were refused entry.[EoS][EoS]

Sikh tradition holds that when release was ordered, Guru Ji refused to leave without the other captives, fifty-two chiefs and princes. Told that those who could hold on to his robe might go free, Guru Ji had a cloak made with fifty-two strings. Each captive took a string and walked out with him. From this comes the title Data Bandi Chhor. A gurdwara of that name stands in the fort.

The Encyclopaedia reports the cloak as something that is said, while treating the release of the prisoners as tradition held in common.[EoS][EoS]

Diwali is an older Indian festival of lights held at the new moon of Kartik. The Encyclopaedia says it gained a special meaning for Sikhs from the day Amritsar was lit up for Guru Ji's return. Bhai Gurdas uses the lamps of Diwali as a picture of the brevity of life in Var 19.

In the eighteenth century, bands of Sikhs came to Amritsar at Diwali despite the danger. Bhai Mani Singh was martyred in 1737 after attempting to hold such a gathering. The Sarbat Khalsa also met at this time.

The SGPC uses the name Bandi Chhor Diwas alongside Dewali. Today gurdwaras and Sikh homes are lit, and the largest display of lights and fireworks is at Harmandir Sahib.[EoS][Web][EoS][EoS]