2007, Bangalore: My super boss and I were returning back from a meeting. We were close to Ulsoor Gurudwara when our car was stopped by these young smiling Sardarjis. One of the Singh's greeted my Boss “Sat Sri Akal” and handed him a cold milk sherbet.

The other Singh noticed me in the car and ran towards my door, handed me a glass of the cold drink while wishing me “Wahe Guru Ji ka Khalsa. Waheguru Ji ki Fateh”.
My boss and I had the drink, thanked them and continued the journey.

The event leads to a conversation about the cold sherbet. “Every year I see your community serving everyone this sherbet," he said. "They stop you with a smile and will only let you go once you have had the drink."

Is it because the Indian summers are high and this is a way of the community to help people to cool off? Or is there a story behind this?”

I smiled and said, “you are partly right.” “The sherbet you are talking about is called Chabeel. Chabeel in Punjabi means a cold sweet drink. And we Sikhs distribute Chabeel to celebrate and remember the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji."

"Akbar had designated his grandson Khusrau to become the next Mughal Emperor. Khusrau was liberal like his grandfather. But Jahangir or Prince Salim, son of Akbar, and father of Khasrau was against this decision."

2007, Bangalore: My super boss and I were returning back from a meeting. We were close to Ulsoor Gurudwara when our car was stopped by these young smiling Sardarjis. One of the Singh's greeted my Boss “Sat Sri Akal” and handed him a cold milk sherbet.

The other Singh noticed me in the car and ran towards my door, handed me a glass of the cold drink while wishing me "Wahe Guru ji ka Khalsa. Waheguru JiJi ki Fateh".
My boss and I had the drink, thanked them and continued the journey.

The event leads to a conversation about the cold sherbet. "Every year I see your community serving everyone this sherbet," he said. "They stop you with a smile and will only let you go once you have had the drink."

"Is it because the Indian summers are high and this is a way of the community to help people to cool off? Or is there a story behind this?"

I smiled and said, "you are partly right." "The sherbet you are talking about is called Chabeel.

"Chabeel in Punjabi means a cold sweet drink. And we Sikhs distribute Chabeel to celebrate and remember the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji."

"Akbar had designated his grandson Khusrau to become the next Mughal Emperor. Khusrau was liberal like his grandfather. But Jahangir or Prince Salim, son of Akbar, and father of Khasrau was against this decision."

So after the death of Emperor Akbar, Prince Salim got into a battle with his own son, Khusrau, threw Khusrau out of his kingdom, and became the 4th Mughal Emperor. It is learnt that Khusrau met Guru Arjan Dev Ji, to seek his blessings while finding a safe land for himself.

Jahangir did not appreciate Guru Ji's gesture.

While Jahangir's main mission as an emperor was to reinstate Shariyat (Orthodox Muslim Law) in the country and convert everyone into Islam, Chandu Shah, the governor of Lahore, was jealous of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's popularity.

His jealousy was so much that when his family priest suggested that Guruji’s son, Har Gobind would be the best choice as a husband for his daughter who was of marriageable age, Chandu Shah laughed at the suggestion and remarked that the Guru was little more than a beggar

who lived off money given to him by his followers. His words spread like wildfire.

Later with his ageing daughter still unmarried, Chandu Shah agreed to the match. But Guruji rejected the proposal as he was hurt my Chandu’s initial thoughts.

Chandu Shah could not bear this rejection and he wanted to take revenge. He was close to Jahangir, and he started influencing Jahangir against Guru Ji. He stirred up the notion that Holy Granth of the Sikhs contained blasphemies against the Muslim religions.

Jahangir who was on a mission to spread Islam, and was already hurt by Guruji’s gesture of blessing Khusrau, he summoned Guru Arjan Dev Ji to his court in Lahore.

With preconceived ideas, Jahangir showed dissatisfaction with the Guru’s explanation of blessing Khusrau and labelled the Guru as a party to rebellion. Jahangir also wanted Guruji to make amendments in the holy Granth.

On learning that Guru Ji did not bow to his orders, Jahangir ordered to torture Guruji. We all know how cruel May summer is. And in this burning heat, Guru Ji was made to sit on a burning hot plate after which red hot sand was poured over his head and body.

Rather than crying of pain, Guruji immersed himself in Simran "Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru".

This torture continued for the next 5 days. Several inhuman tactics were used to torture Guru Ji.

On the 5th day, with a burnt body, Guru ji requested to take a bath in the Ravi River which flows along the walls of Lahore. While he dipped himself in the cool waves of the river, he journeyed to his heavenly abode. His body was never found…

The chabeel represents the waters of River Ravi which helped to cool down Guru Ji's body, giving him the comfort for his next journey, journey to the heaven above.

It is said that all the torture was planned by Chandu Shah and he enjoyed every second.

Our car stopped at the Adugodi signal. I saw my boss in tears. While he wiped his tears I said "Its okay. The Sikh faith is about sacrifice, sacrifice for humanity, freedom of speech, freedom to follow one's own faith, freedom to enjoy the world blessed by the lord."

"Each Guru has sacrificed their body and family to build a faith that serves humanity. Rather than cracking a joke or calling us names, learn the meaning of the Sikh Identity."

"I hope the Chabeel has cooled your soul?" He smiled.

Chabeel. #waheguru