Partition of India and the massacre and r@pe of Sikh and Hindu women of Thoha Khalsa , Rawalpindi in 1947.
Painting by K.C.A.
Painting by K.C.A.
Thoha Khalsa is a village which was inhabited by wealthy Sikh families.
Sikh leader Master Tara Singh declared opposition to partition and tore the flag of Pakistan in Lahore.
9th March, 1947,mobs from the tribal areas entered village and gave ultimatums to the Sikhs to convert
Sikh leader Master Tara Singh declared opposition to partition and tore the flag of Pakistan in Lahore.
9th March, 1947,mobs from the tribal areas entered village and gave ultimatums to the Sikhs to convert
The clashes started next morning when their numbers swelled to one thousand.
After resisting 3 days, Sikhs hoisted white flags and negotiated a truce with Muslim mobs.
Under the agreement, the mobs will loot their houses but will not burn them, kiIl men, or dishonor the women
After resisting 3 days, Sikhs hoisted white flags and negotiated a truce with Muslim mobs.
Under the agreement, the mobs will loot their houses but will not burn them, kiIl men, or dishonor the women
Sikhs collected Rs. 20,000 and gave it to the mob leaders as demanded.
hen abandoned their own houses and all gathered in the central Haveli of Sardar Gulab Singh.
Others took shelter in the Dukh Bhanjani Gurdwara.
They saw their houses being looted and burned for 6 days.
hen abandoned their own houses and all gathered in the central Haveli of Sardar Gulab Singh.
Others took shelter in the Dukh Bhanjani Gurdwara.
They saw their houses being looted and burned for 6 days.
After looting the houses, the Muslim mob turned to Gulab Singh's Haveli and surrounded it.
But when defeat and dishonor were imminent, Sikh men started to prepare for the battle till death.
While their men fought, the Sikh women started gathering near a well around the garden
But when defeat and dishonor were imminent, Sikh men started to prepare for the battle till death.
While their men fought, the Sikh women started gathering near a well around the garden
When just women and children were left, Maan Kaur led all the women to a large well inside the Haveli.
She recited Japuji Sahib the Sikh prayer and jumped inside the well.
Over 93 Sikh women followed her and all committed mass suicide.
She recited Japuji Sahib the Sikh prayer and jumped inside the well.
Over 93 Sikh women followed her and all committed mass suicide.
On March 12, 1947, after a long and heroic resistance, 200 Sikhs were killed. The women were asked to embrace Islam,
The Muslim invaders, aghast at this tragedy, fled from the place. A little later, the military arrived and rescued the survivors.
The Muslim invaders, aghast at this tragedy, fled from the place. A little later, the military arrived and rescued the survivors.
The Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten visited the village. Lady Mountbatten led the rescue and hospitalization of the victims.
Survivors reached the safety of refugee camps in Rawat, Kahuta, and lived to tell their stories.
Survivors reached the safety of refugee camps in Rawat, Kahuta, and lived to tell their stories.
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