ANCESTORS,In ancient Hindu scriptures, the honouring of human ancestors is commanded. Pitri or mass\'s to one\'s ancestors arc regarded as sacred funeral rights and Sradh (offerings of food) are considered obligatory for placating the spirits of the departed ancestors up to thee seventh generation. It is believed that the food offered in their memory helps their ancestors. Sikhism disregards this belief. The Guru says that such ceremonies are futile. Feeding of priests and animals has no religious merit. (GGS, p. 332) The only thing that is commanded is prayer to God. "Devotion to the Holy Name is my ritual of rice balls and feasting". (GGS, p. 358).
GILBERT, SIR WALTER RALEIGH (1785-1853), divisional commander of the British army under Lord Hugh Gough in the first and second Anglo Sikh wars, son of the Rev Edmund Gilbert, was born in Bodmin, England, in 1785. In 1801, he joined the Bengal infantry as a cadet. He rose to be a major general in 1841, and lieutenant general in 1851. He commanded a division of the army under Sir Hugh Gough in the first Anglo Sikh war, in the battles of Mudki and Ferozeshah in December 1845, and at Sabhraori on 10 February 1846. Hugh Gough eulogized Gilbert`s services in his despatches.
SAHIB SINGH, a resident of Sangia Hill in present day Faisalabad district of Pakistan, was a veteran of the Khalsa army under Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his successors. After the first AngloSikh war (1845-46), he joined the rebellious band of Bhai Maharaj Singh (d.1856). He commanded the contingent of 400 horsemen that Bhai Maharaj Singh took out to Multan in June 1848 in aid of Diwan Mul Raj.
