Development of the Khalsa Commander in Chief. cont.

Physical Training.

Physical training was given utmost importance because Guru Gobind Singh Ji has realised that a robust body is essential not only to fit the man for the rigours of soldiering but also to bring about alertness of mind and coordination which , along with physical fitness results in true mobility. The following methods were employed to promote physical fitness :-
  1
Martial games and physical exercises were conduced regularly. These involved physical conditioning and toughening of the troops. These were followed by test exercises at the times of Holi or Mahalla festivals. Prizes were given to the most able bodied.
   
  2
Healthy sports like athletics, wrestling, riding, tent pegging etc were organised on competitive regular basis.
   
  3
Balanced and regular day-to-day routine of his soldiers in a way ensured physical conditioning of his soldiers.
   
  4
The army was made to drill. Guru Sahib Ji had invented a form of drill suited to his men and the times. It helped improve the general discipline of recruits.

  Weapons Training.
  1
Guru Gobind Singh Ji through his compositions (Shastar Naam Mala Puran) has candidly projected the personified the concept that weapons were the medium of worshipping God. The following methods were employed to train the Sikhs.
   
  2

Five hundred pathan soldiers from the Mughal army were employed to teach the art of warfare and the use of different weapons.

   
  3
Regular competitions in archery, sword fighting, hand to hand combat, and rewards prompted a healthy spirit and better standards.
   
  4
Large scale hunting expeditions were organised where soldiers obtained training to use their weapons on live and fast moving targets. The ranges around Paonta Sahib were full of deer and wild boar known for their swiftness and agility. Also, the expeditions lasted many days during which the soldiers were trained to live off the land with an aim to toughen them and acquaint them with battle-like stress and strains.
   
  5

Very high standards in weapons training were set. Soldiers were trained to shoot to kill between 500 to 1000 yard range.

Tactical Training.
Although tactical training were basic compared to present day warfare, but the importance of mobility in battlefield and utilisation of terrain to the best advantage had been highlighted by Guru Sahib Ji:
  1
Acquisition of Arabian horses which were known for their speed, swiftness and grace.
   
  2
Organised mock battles and military exercises for the defence of Anandpur. The common mock fights were in the form of two groups, one in charge of an enclave , the other with the aim to capture it. There were a number of mock fights and counter attacks until the fort was stormed and captured.
   
  3
In order to increase mobility and flexibility on the battle field the ratio of cavalry to foot infantry was increased by 100 percent then what the Mughal armies maintained.
   
  4
The cavalry were trained to launch lightning attacks to shock the enemy followed by foot infantry, which exploited the demoralised the enemy to the best resultant advantage.
   
  5

Gunners were trained to use their artillery for the protection of strategic points of the forts. When the gunners pounded an enemy concentrated in front of the gates of the fort, the mounted cavalry were then let loose upon them , while the foot infantry launched attacks from different directions. These tactics are analogous to the fire and move tactics practiced today.
 
Guru Gobind Singh Ji realised that sound morals and a strong character was the strongest defence of his soldiers for the war of righteousness. To this end he trained his men unabated.
     
  1
His Khalsa shall always bow collectively to the will of an assembly of five Sikhs, thus Guru Ji separated politics from the soldier and brought him under the direct fold of democracy.
   
  2
His Khalsa shall not injure women, children and the aged. He shall always be ready to save the honour of all women (and that included those of the enemy)
   
  3
His Khalsa was forbidden to touch a turk woman. On the face of it this may seem a little extreme, but Guru Sahib Ji’s high moral code for his Khalsa meant that no retaliation was possible against women no matter how heinous the enemy crimes were against the indigenous population.
   
  4
His Khalsa shall not seek help of any form from way layers or dacoits in the furtherance of Dharma Yudha.
   
  5
His Khalsa shall not attack such soldiers who were without arms or had surrendered or on their heels in the battle field.
   
  6
His Khalsa shall not plunder the lawful belongings of others.
   
  7
His Khalsa will never insult a guest in his home. Instead, safety of life and property would be considered as the highest form of religion.
   
  8
His Khalsa shall attend to the wounded in battle and perform the last rites for his own and the enemies dead. *
   
  9
His Khalsa shall lead a pure Grihasth (family life) and practice temperance in all sphere of married life.
     
*

It is a little known fact that Sikhs used to tend to their own battle injured, but more importantly that of the enemy. They would bring them back to base camp, caring and tending to their wounds and nursing them back to health. They were fed and kept safe ,once they were well enough Guru Gobind Singh Ji would ask his Sikhs to bring the enemy soldiers their horse, weapons and belongings. Guru Ji would tell them "Now go and we shall meet you again on the battlefield." For Guru ji there was no enemy, there was no foe, all were the same and Guru Ji looked upon everyone with the same benevelant gaze.

Many enemy soldiers would leave with tears in their eyes, laying down their weapons they would say "How can we fight him who is Khudha?"

Guru Gobind Singh Ji created an administrative body for his army. The administrative commanders were the most efficient and trusted sons of his father’s late sister. They were Jit Mall, Gopal Chand, Sangho Shah and Mohri Chand, who were made in change of civil defence problems at Anandpur, weapons and ammunitions, war animals and food and supplies.
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