Before Partition 7 ( AT TOBA TEK SINGH DIST NOW IN PAKISTAN)

As I was remembering the past memories I along with my mother and sisters moved to Toba Tek Singh district .My youngest sister was born on 10th August I remember our Nanaji ( Late Amir Chand Kohali ji ) used to live in TOBA TEK SINGH. This city was a very good city here Sikhs and Hindus and Muslims’ population was almost equally divided. Our nanaji had a big house Here there were so many ponds and canals for irrigation .Our Nannaji had five daughters namely .Shanti( My respected mother ),Sumitra,(NOW expired),Ram Rakhi(expired),Ram Pyari (expired),Murgai(expired)My tearful sharandljli to all who now being missed too much. Whenever there were summer holiday all our masijis along with their kids used to assemble at Toba Tek Singh at our Nana's place.One of our Masi(Eldest one) used to live at next lane (street).I remembered that all of the masijis used to churn milk in front of their rooms in Vehras (courtyards)They used to give plenty of butter and Lassi and the makki ki roti to all children equally.Story goes that my Nanaji was not having mail child after so many daughters as such some fakir told him that if he was ready to make his son a Sikh and he prayed in Gurdwara then he would be blessed with sons. By the grace of GURU NANAK JI he (my nanaji) was blessed with Son and he named his as Sardar Bishan Singh and other sons as Sri Ram Kohli and Sh Inder jit Kohli
MY tearful sharandjali to my Sardar mamaji,Shri Ram and Inder maamaji.Our nanaji had two oxen and two buffalos and one cow and one bullock cart.He had a fertile land and these agriculture plots were used to be called MURABBAS and mostly the cash crops were used to be sown .I still remember thatI along I used to play in the pond and go there to get the buffalos to drink water and take wash. The water of the pond used to be very slushy and green in colour.There used to be worms ( called JAON) which when stuck on the buffalos body used to suck blood. Mostly in Morabbas we found KAKRIES Kheeras ,KHARBUZAS ,TARBOOZE,(Water melon) and Pethas etc There were parallel lanes The weather here used to too hot and in summer there were dust storm s almost every day .Our Nanaji had one domestic servant his name was Maaghi Ram and he was taking care of fields and other house hold duties .Nanaji used to sit at entering First floor room called the Bathak.All of a sudden we heard a thundering sound all the families started running here and there I was told that there was invasion by Muslims in the back lane and they were looting and burning the houses of Hindus .My Nanaji ordered all the ladies and children to save their lives and immediately take shelter in the next lane .All my masijis and my mother took her daughters and other members and ran for safety in the next lane. All the family members were running leaving behind all the house holds.My nanaji was very much worried about his Sardar son as the Muslims were butchering the Sikhs first of all. The ladies and children were frightened .It was a good and merciful thinking that the Muslims were sparing the ladies and children.So our Nanaji then requested Sardar Bishan Singh ji (sardar mamaji) to cut of his KES (hair) and dress up and to wear the ladies dress .In this way when we all were running to the safety in next lane to lane there came dead end.Now they Muslims surrounded us .They were carrying all the weapons like Swords knives long chhuras and lathis( long cane) and spears. There I saw the Pakistani police was there supposedly for safety but every brutalities were being committed in the presence of the police and military .While running my mother could not carry any thing but she threw the Potli ( A bag of cloth )of Gahenes(ornaments) in the Bhusa room ( HUSK ROOM).All of us along with hundreds and thousands population were ordered to march towards the ANAAJ KI MANDI and all along the route the police and Muslims were following us .I can still see the dreadful faces in my memories. I was told that Our servant Maaghi Ram had not accompanied us and it was a question at that time what had happened to him?. But strange was the betrayal that our servant accepted the Islam and helped the Muslims to loot our houses .There were bloodshed all over and I was witnessing the brutality being thrust upon by mankind towards the other their fellow beings’ Such a great sin that could not be forgotten in the history. Where was the teachings that' MAHAZAB NEHI SIKATA APAS MEIN BAIR RAKHNA ''------We were told that this portion of country had become the part of Pakistan. We were being kept as hostages in the grain market till the military from INDIA came there for carting us to free India .This Anaaj Ki Mandi was a small place and the whole Hindu population of the city were huddled like animals like sheep’s and goats. There were tents in the market we used to sleep in the open .The drainage and sanitation conditions were worst and there was out break of cholera fever. All the four gates of the ANAAJ KI MANDI were locked and there was Pakistani police to guard us as prisoners. Every day the Muslims used to throw shoes chapals and nasty abuses from the other side of boundary wall. All the population were daily used to pray to God to save themselves from the atrocities of Muslims and they used to look for the train of military from India to transport them to India. Some news were there that they (Muslims) might butcher the whole population as the rumors’ were floating that the trains from India WERE COMING FULL OF DEAD BODIES AND AS SUCH THAT they would retaliate and kill ourselves in return .Our stay at Anaaj Ki MANDI was dreadful like a hell .We used to sleep at ground with no sheet under us .All around the stagnant water started giving bad foul smell. Once my youngest sister fell in the drain we pulled her out We were short of daily rations almost starvation conditions were prevailng.My other sister also fell ill but due to natural medicines she recovered .My mother was also suffering from asthma and used to worry about our Bauji(our father).Here another thing was troubling us that what happened to our Bauji and brothers ( Sh.Sohan Lal,Sh Dharam Vir ) as they left for Rawalpindi to spend their summer vacations holidays before Partition My Taya ji used to live in Rawalpindi and Talagang.My mother was seen to be in sad mood all the time . One day all of a sudden a call was announced that that we could see their homes for the last time and that we would be sent to India no sooner when the train might come from India. My mother was asked by my Nanaji that she might find some thing which might be left after the senseless looting and ransacking .Accordingly my mother went to see the house for the last glimpse. She found the potli (guthi or a bag of cloth) which contained the gold ornaments. Nothing was left in that house as the Servant Maaghi Ram later became Maaghi Khan helped the Muslims to make a clean sweep of that house . At last a message from the Indian Govt came and we were told to hurry up in the train bound for India .I along with my sisters mother and Nanaji had all masis lived in the ANAAJ KI MANDI for about 2 months or so. This period of stay was like a living in the hell like condemned prisoners. There I heard that in the history kings did change but people remained the same but there were events just the reverse. We all were sitting in the train awfully over crowded. People were sitting in the train like goats or sheeps.All the persons were remembering the God or some reciting Gurbani etc and the wish they were having that they should reach India quite safe and sound .Our train was heading towards LAHORE some of the passengers got sick feeling thirsty but there was no water to drink when the train stopped near one Nallah ( dirty water drain) people took the bad water of nallah those who could not hold their thirst drank urine just to survive. At last our train reached LAHORE station .This station was the final point when our fate was to be decided. When I looked outside the train I found that all along the platform there were Pakistani Police and the Muslims carrying weopens.All water taps on the platform were dry as the water connections were disconnected so that we could not get water. Our train was in waiting whether to convert it in dead bodies or sent harmlessly. As good luck would have it the train from India arrived quite safe and in good condition and all the passengers were quite happy and raising slogans Pakistan Zindabad.Allah Hu Akbar etc Our train was spared and sent to India via Wagah border to AMRITSAR.I remember that it was Diwali Day when our train entered India and the GOLDEN TEMPLE was shining with colored shining electric bulbs and we were greeted with garlands. Our train was terminated in Patiala and we were shifted to Patiala transit As I was remembering the past memories I along with my mother and sisters moved to Toba Tek Singh district .My youngest sister was born on 10th August I remember our Nanaji ( Late Amir Chand Kohali ji ) used to live in TOBA TEK SINGH. This city was a very good city here Sikhs and Hindus and Muslims’ population was almost equally divided. Our nanaji had a big house Here there were so many ponds and canals for irrigation .Our Nannaji had five daughters namely .Shanti( My respected mother ),Sumitra,(NOW expired),Ram Rakhi(expired),Ram Pyari (expired),Murgai(expired)My tearful sharandljli to all who now being missed too much. Whenever there were summer holiday all our masijis along with their kids used to assemble at Toba Tek Singh at our Nana's place.One of our Masi(Eldest one) used to live at next lane (street).I remembered that all of the masijis used to churn milk in front of their rooms in Vehras (courtyards)They used to give plenty of butter and Lassi and the makki ki roti to all children equally.Story goes that my Nanaji was not having mail child after so many daughters as such some fakir told him that if he was ready to make his son a Sikh and he prayed in Gurdwara then he would be blessed with sons. By the grace of GURU NANAK JI he (my nanaji) was blessed with Son and he named his as Sardar Bishan Singh and other sons as Sri Ram Kohli and Sh Inder jit Kohli
MY tearful sharandjali to my Sardar mamaji,Shri Ram and Inder maamaji.Our Nanaji had two oxen and two buffalos and one cow and one bullock cart.He had a fertile land and these agriculture plots were used to be called MURABBAS and mostly the cash crops were used to be sown .I still remember that I along I used to play in the pond and go there to get the buffaloes to drink water and take wash. The water of the pond used to be very slushy and green in colour.There used to be worms ( called JAON) which when stuck on the buffalo body used to suck blood. Mostly in Morabbas we found KAKRIES Kheeras ,KHARBUZAS ,TARBOOZE,(Water melon) and Pethas etc There were parallel lanes THE weather here used to too hot and in summer there were dust storm s almost every day .Our Nanaji had one domestic servant his name was Maaghi Ram and he was taking care of fields and other house hold duties .Nanaji used to sit at entering First floor room called the Bathak.All of a sudden we heard a thundering sound all the families started running here and there I was told that there was invasion by muslims in the back lane and they were looting and burning the houses of Hindus .My Nanaji ordered all the ladies and children to save their lives and immediately take shelter in the next lane .All my masijis and my mother took her daughters and other members and ran for safety in the next lane. All the family members were running leaving behind all the house holds.My nanaji was very much worried about his Sardar Son as the Muslims were butchering the Sikhs first of all. The ladies and children were frightened .It was a good and merciful thinking that the muslims were sparing the ladies and children.So our Nanaji then requested Sardar Bishan Singh ji (sardar mamaji) to cut of his KES (hair) and dress up and to wear the ladies dress .In this way when we all were running to the safety in next lane to lane there came dead end.Now they Muslims surrounded us .They were carrying all the weapons like Swords knives long chhuras and lathis( long cane) and spears. There I saw the Pakistani police was there supposedly for safety but every brutalities were being committed in the presence of the police and military .While runnig my mother could not carry any thing but she threw the Potli off Gahenes(ornaments) in the Bhusa room ( HUSK ROOM).All of us along with hundred s and thousands population were ordered to march towards the ANAAJ KI MANDI and all along the route the police and Muslims were following us .I can still see the dreadful faces in my memories’ was told that Our servant Maaghi Ram had not accompanied us and it was a question at that time what had happened to him.But strange was the betrayal that our servant accepted the Islam and helped the muslims to loot our houses .There were bloodshed all over and I was witnessing the brutality being thrust upon by mankind towards the other their fellow beings. A great sin that could not be forgotten in the history. Where was the teachings that' MAHAZAB NEHI SIKATA APAS MEIN BAIR RAKHNA ''------We were told that this portion of country had become the part of Pakistan. We were being kept as hostages in the grain market till the military from INDIA came there for carting us to free India .This Anaaj Ki Mandi was a small place and the whole population were huddled like animals like sheep’s and goats.Usally there were tents in the market we used to sleep in the open .The drainage and sanitation conditions were worst and there was out break of cholera fever. All the four gates of the ANAAJ KI MANDI were locked and there was Pakistani police to guard us as prisoners. Every day the Muslims used to throw shoes chapals and nasty abuses from the other side of boundary wall. All the population were daily used to pray to God to save themselves from the atrocities of Muslims and they used to look for the train of military from India to transport them to India. Some news were there that they (Muslims) might butcher the whole population as the rumors’ were floating that the trains from India WERE COMING FULL OF DEAD BODIES AND AS SUCH THAT they would retaliate and kill ourselves in return .Our stay at Anaaj Ki MANDI was dreadful like a hell .We used to sleep at ground with no sheet under us .All around the stagnant water started giving bad foul smell. Once my youngest sister fell in the drain we pulled her out We were short of daily rations almost starvation conditions were prevailng.My other sister also fell ill but due to natural medicines she recovered .My mother was also suffering from asthma and used to worry about our Bauji(our father).Here another thing was troubling us that what happened to our Bauji and brothers ( Sh.Sohan Lal,Sh Dharam Vir ) as they left for RawalPindi to spend their summer vacations holidays before Partition My Taya ji used to live in Rawalpindi and Talagang.My mother was seen to be in sad mood all the time . One day all of a sudden a call was announced that that we could see their homes for the last time and that we would be sent to India no sooner when the train might come from India. My mother was asked by my Nanaji that she might find some thing which might be left after the senseless looting and ransacking .Accordingly my mother went to see the house for the last glimpse. She found the potli (guthi) which contained the gold ornaments.Nothing was left in that house as the Servant Maghi Ram later became Maaghi Khan heIped the muslims to make a clean sweep of that house . At last a message from the Indian Govt came and we were told to hurry up in the train bound for India .I along with my sisters mother and Nanaji had all masis lived in the Anaaj market for about 2months or so. This stay was like a living in the hell like prisoners. There I heard that in the history kings did change but people remained the same but there was events just the reverse. We all were sitting in the train awfully over crowded. People were sitting in the train like goats or sheeps.All the persons were remembering the God or some reciting Gurbani etc and the wish they were having that they should reach India quite safe and sound .Ours train was heading towards LAHORE some of the passengers got sick feeling thirsty but there was no water to drink when the train stopped near one Nallah people took the bad water of Nallah those who could not hold their thirst drank urine just to survive. At last our train reached LAHORE station .This station was the final point when our fate was to decided. When I looked I found that along the platform there was Pakistani Police and the Muslims carrying weopens.All water taps on the platform were dry as the water connections were disconnected so that we could not get water. Our train was in waiting whether to convert it in dead bodies or sent harmlessly. As good luck would have it the train from India arrived quite safe and in good condition and all the passengers were quite happy and raising slogans Pakistan Zindabad.Allah Hu Akbar etc Our train was spared and sent to India via Wagah border to AMRITSAR.I remember that it was Diwali Day when our train entered India and the GOLDEN TEMPLE was shining with colored shining electric bulbs and we were greeted with garlands.Our train was terminated in Patiala and we were shifted to Patiala transit Refugee camp which was set up by Indian Government.