ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>V&#256R HAR&#298 SI&#7748GH K&#298</TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279<i>V&#256R HAR&#298 SI&#7748GH K&#298</i> by Sah&#257&#299 Si&#7749gh, included in the anthology entitled <i>Pr&#257ch&#299n Var&#257&#7749 te Ja&#7749gn&#257me</i>, edited by Shamsher Si&#7749gh Ashok and published by the Shiroma&#7751&#299 Gurdw&#257r&#257 Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar, in 1947. He describes Har&#299 Si&#7749gh Nalv&#257's expedition against the Af<u>gh</u>&#257ns who had invaded Pesh&#257war from across the <u>Kh</u>aibar Pass and his final battle in defence of the Fort of Jamr&#363d. This printed version is based, according to the testimony of the editor, on an incomplete manuscript in the personal collection of Shivdev Si&#7749gh of N&#257bh&#257. No other copy of the manuscript has so far been discovered. The work does not conform to the traditional form of <i>v&#257r</i>, the narrative being in the style of a <i>s&#299h&#257rf&#299</i> and the metre used is <i>baint</i>. The poem begins with an invocation to the goddess Bhav&#257n&#299 : the poet's faith in the goddess is also supported by the fact that he makes his hero, Har&#299 Si&#7749gh Nalv&#257, offer prayers to her to uphold his honour in the battlefield. This is followed by verses contrasting the daring of Har&#299 Si&#7749gh, Mah&#257r&#257j&#257 Ra&#7751j&#299t Si&#7749gh's celebrated general, with the cowardice of his chamberlain, <u>Kh</u>ush&#257l Si&#7749gh. The latter is shown as dreading to lead the military expedition to Pesh&#257war whereas the former is presented as seeking it voluntarily. The narrative begins with Har&#299 Si&#7749gh&#8217s departure from Ba&#7789&#257l&#257 and referring to the minor skirmishes on the way, it moves on to his conquest of Pesh&#257war. His final combat in the Fort of Jamr&#363d where he fell fighting against the Af<u>gh</u>&#257ns is depicted in all its graphic detail. Since a few of the last pages are missing, the work comes to an end with the Sikh army chasing the fleeing enemy forces. The <i>V&#257r</i> celebrates in sonorous verse the brave exploits of its hero, Har&#299 Si&#7749gh Nalv&#257. It extols his valour and munificence, and his qualities as a man and as soldier. Har&#299 Si&#7749gh has been portrayed as a man who is pious and philanthropic by nature and who has deep faith in Sikh tenets.</p> </font> <p class="BIB"> BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> Padam, Pi&#257r&#257 Si&#7749gh, <i>Pañj&#257b&#299 V&#257r&#257&#7749</i>. Patiala, 1980<BR> <li class="C1"> Ashok, Shamsher Si&#7749gh, <i>Pr&#257ch&#299n V&#257r&#257&#7749 te Ja&#7749gn&#257me</i>. Amritsar, 1947<BR> </ol><p class="CONT">&#256tamj&#299t Si&#7749gh<br></p><BR> </font> <img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""> </HTML></BODY>