Meet The Youngest Voice from 1947  Muzaffarabad Massacre!

(By: Dr. Rajesh Bhat)*

In October 1947, as three-year-old Jaswant Singh lay in his grandmother’s arms, he had little idea of the tragedy surrounding him. In a brutal act of violence that would devastate hundreds of Sikh families, including his own, his father, mother, and grandfather were killed in the Muzaffarabad massacre, which swept through the region in a wave of religious persecution and violence. Caught in the turmoil, Jaswant  Singh lost nearly everything—except for the steadfast love and protection of his grandmother, Bhani Devi.

In a display of unwavering courage, Bhani Devi managed to flee with young Jaswant in tow, carrying him through harrowing paths to escape the raiders. This elderly woman, with her only surviving grandchild cradled close, would become his entire world. Though she carried him to safety, she left behind her husband, Subha Singh, and the homeland that had nurtured generations of their family. Clutching a black-and-white photograph of his grandmother Bhani Devi, Jaswant  Singh continues to carry her memory and the shared legacy wherever he goes.

Finding Refuge, Rebuilding Lives

The journey of Grandmother-Grandson  duo was marked by constant struggle, from the makeshift refugee camps of Dharamshala to Bhopal. While they found temporary shelter, Jaswant, Bhani Devi and hundreds of other Sikh families shared an intense yearning to honor the loved ones they’d lost. Finally, in 1956, they found a place of permanent refuge in Patiala, Punjab. Arriving with little more than memories and heartache, these families began to rebuild their lives, starting from scratch.

In Patiala, the State granted them barren lands. Despite their determination, the infertile soil was almost impossible to cultivate, and Bhani Devi, like many others, eventually had to surrender the land. But these resilient families found strength in each other. United in loss, they nurtured a powerful vision: a sacred space where they could remember and honor those left behind in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Mirpur.

The Gurudwara: A Sanctuary of Remembrance and Resilience

In 1956, with community support, these survivors created Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Muzaffarabad Baradari, in Patiala. Rising tall in the Tripari area, this Gurudwara is much more than bricks and mortar—it stands as a testament to the resilience of a community that, despite devastating loss, held fast to their faith and unity. It serves as a shrine to history, a sanctuary for grief, and a reminder to future generations of the courage it took to survive. (Kashmir Rechords has already carried a detailed story on Shri Gurudwara, Muzaffarabad, Patiala and can be accessed at: https://kashmir-rechords.com/gurudwara-at-patiala-a-beacon-for-the-survivors-of-muzaffarabad-massacre/)

Today, this sacred Gurudwara brings together the descendants of nearly 300 families who endured the Muzaffarabad massacre. Every year, they gather within its walls to share stories, pay respects, and honor the memories of those they lost. For Jaswant Singh and countless others, this Gurudwara is more than a place of worship. It is a sanctuary of resilience, a standing reminder of the spirit’s ability to endure in the face of adversity.

A Legacy Carried Forward

Jaswant Singh, now in his twilight years, sees the Gurudwara as a reminder not only of the past but of the enduring unity, faith, and remembrance that keep his community strong. As he looks at the photograph of his grandmother, he carries forward not only her memory but also the collective legacy of those who survived with him. Through Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, the story of survival, strength, and remembrance lives on, reminding everyone that, no matter the hardship, the human spirit can—and will—endure.

• *_{^{Dr. Rajesh Bhat is a Kashmir-born Journalist, Writer and Researcher; formerly associated with Daily Excelsior J&K and The Tribune, Chandīgarh. He is the Author of Radio Kashmir in Times of Peace & War}}.