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Remembering history’s injustice
 Maharaja
Duleep Singh: Monument of Injustice is not just a story of an
individual; it is a story of two nations
The film on the life and
times of Maharaja Duleep Singh was released in its DVD version in
Southall at the Mata Sahib Kaur hall of Sikh Missionary Society by
its producer Amarjit Singh on December 23. The film Maharaja Duleep
Singh: Monument of Injustice is not just a story of
an individual; it is a story of two nations.
Born on 4th September 1838, Duleep Singh was the youngest
son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who established the Sikh Kingdom
“Sarkar-e-Khalsa” with the victory over Lahore in 1799, and pread
his territory up to Sindh, Tibet and Afghanistan. Time witnessed he
glory of the Sikh Kingdom, which had grown into an Independent state
of conspicuous wealth and power and became the most formidable
fighting machine outside British India which lasted for almost 50
years (1799- 1849).
Maharaja Ranjit Singh died on 27th
June 1839. On 2nd February 1844 at the tender age of
five, Duleep Singh was proclaimed as the Maharaja of Punjab and his mother Rani Jind Kaur
became regent. In December 1845, war broke out
between the Sikh and British army. The Sikhs lost the Anglo-Sikh wars. Rani Jindan was put under
house arrest; where as the young Maharaja was taken away to
Mussorrie, where he was put under the guardianship of Dr. Sir John
Login and his wife, lady Login. On 8th March 1853 at the
age of 14, the Sikh Maharaja was baptised as a Christian and
his unshorn hair was cut. In April 1854, Duleep Singh sailed
to England under a deep conspiracy, master minded by Lord Dalhousie,
the then Governor General of British India. Lord Dalhousie
also took away the priceless relics of the Sikh Kingdom
to England, including the Kooh-i-noor (diamond), the Golden
Throne of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the plume of Guru Gobind Singh Ji,
and many other prestigious items from the Lahore treasury.
This saga (Monument of Injustice) also tells the tale of the injustice done to
Rani Jindan, who spent almost 15 years in exile and died in England,
in August 1863. Once in England the deposed Maharaja was never
allowed to return to his native land Punjab although he tried (on
three occasions). He settled in England with his wife and six
children and spent 40 years in exile. Duleep Singh fought for his
legal rights in a much civilised way; and was still denied
justice. On his final attempt to return to Punjab he was detained by
the British forces at Aden. May 25th, 1886 he returned to
his original faith ’Sikhism’ by being baptized with ‘Amrit’ by five
Sikhs at Aden (Middle East). Loosing all hope, he finally went to
Paris, and died on 22nd October 1893.
The story does not end here… His body was buried at
the Elveden Estate in UK, against the basic tenets of his faith. His
last wish to establish he Sikh Raj and to be cremated in Punjab
remained unfulfilled. Well! This should put curtains to this tragic
saga, but could we accomplish what Duleep Singh set to achieve?
This is not just a simple documentary film but a
document on the Sikh Raj. Through thissincere effort we have tried
to bring out the true story of a human life that was wasted but the
effects run deeper. The effects changed the face of the Sikh Nation.
Whatever happened in the past can not be redone but it can be felt.
Let us all give the man called Maharaja Duleep Singh’ his due
and much deserved place in history. Let
him now rise from the ashes and stand tall in our hearts. We can
still do a lot by fulfilling his last wish so that he should rest in
Peace, always and forever and pray to our almighty father to fulfill
his last desires….”Raj
Karega Khalsa”.
27 December, 2006
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