DUNI CHAND

DUNI CHAND, grandson of the well known Bhai Salho (d. 1628), a Dhalival Jatt of Majitha in Amritsar district in the Punjab, was a masand of the Guru`s nominee in the Majha area. A hefty man of immense bulk, Duni Chand led out a band of 500 warriors to Anandpur in 1700 when the Rajput hill chiefs had laid siege to the town. One day it was reported to Guru Gobind Singh that the besiegers were planning to use a drugged elephant the following morning to force open the gate of the Lohgarh Fort. To quote Kuir Singh, Gur Bilas Patshahi X, the Guru said, “I too have an intoxicated elephant, Duni Chand.

When he goes forth like a lion, the enemy will quail before him.” The prospect of facing a mad elephant however unnerved Duni Chand, who decided to seek safety in desertion. As he along with a few of his companions was climbing down the wall of the fort, he fell and broke his leg. His men carried him back to his village where he soon died of snakebite.

References :

1. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1926-37
2. Kuir Singh. Gurbilas Patshahi 10. Patiala, 1968
3. Gian Singh, Giani, Panth Prakash. Patiala, 1970