The Source Book On Sikhism

Two Pathans help the Master

Last of all Gobind Singh had to quit the fortress of Chamkor, and under cover of night he went whither the road might take him. He had already fasted for days, and this journey on foot utterly exhausted him, so he laid his head on a clod of clay and slept in the open field, having previously plucked and eaten a leaf of Ak to sustain himself. As he rose, a shepherd saw him, and, recognizing him, wished to raise a cry; but the Master, without hurting him more than was necessary, sealed his two lips with an arrow, and escaped. As he entered the next village, Machhiwara, he was recognized again by his old admirers, Ghani Khan and Nabi Khan, the horse dealers. These faithful friends received him with great respect, and concealed him in their house, as the Imperial army was still in hot pursuit. He was by this time joined by some of his followers. When the house search became imminent, Ghani Khan and Nabi Khan disguised him and his followers in indigo-dyed garments as Mussalman Faqirs - throwing their long tresses back and carried him, thus disguised as Uch Ka Pir, through the camp to a more secure part of the country. The commander suspected and interrogated these two men closely, but they proved more than match for him, and carried the Master safely across.