The martyrdom
Malikpur or Agra? The arrest
Older narrative places the arrest at Agra, while the Bhatt Vahi chronology has it near Ropar, a day after leaving home.
The older story, told by Macauliffe, has Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji camp in a garden outside Agra. Guru Ji called a shepherd boy, gave him a costly diamond ring to pawn for two rupees of sweets, and handed over a valuable shawl to carry them in. The boy told Guru Ji to look after his flock and off he went.
When Mati Das protested, Guru Ji said it was God's will. The sweet-seller, astonished at the ring and shawl, took the boy for a thief and marched him to the police. In this way, the account suggests, Guru Ji chose how to be found and brought in.
The Encyclopaedia's entry prefers the Bhatt Vahi dates, with arrest at Malikpur Ranghran on 12 July 1675, a day after setting out from Chakk Nanaki. On that account there is no Agra journey at all.
How do we know?
The sources conflict on this story, or scholars doubt it.
The Encyclopaedia calls Agra the common belief, now challenged by recent research on the Bhatt Vahis. Muhammad Ehsan Ijad, quoted in Irvine, is also cited for Malikpur, but was not read directly.
- From the timeCites the Bhatt Vahi Multani Sindhi for the departure on 11 July 1675 and arrest on 12 July at Malikpur Ranghran by Nur Muhammad Khan, followed by over three months in custody at Bassi Pathanan.[EoS]
- Later traditionIs described as a work of 1769, and the main entry cites it as supporting the Malikpur version.[EoS]
- Later traditionPlaces the arrest at Agra, after the story of the shepherd boy sent to pawn a ring. (pp. 376-377)[Macauliffe]
- ScholarshipAccepts the arrest date of 12 July 1675 and the place, Malikpur Ranghran.[EoS]
