Sutlej

Picture a map.

Though you need not strain to see it clearly, in the northwestern part of the subcontinent, the Indus River begins its long journey from the heights of the Tibetan Plateau, flowing down through what is today Pakistan, gathering strength from tributaries with names like the Jhelum, the Chenna, the Ravi, the Sutlej.

Together, this network of rivers nourished a region that would come to be called the Punjab, a name that itself means five waters.

Thousands of years ago, these rivers moved more generously than they do today, spreading over wide floodplains, depositing rich, dark silt each time they rose and receded with the seasons.

They slowly and slowly traveled down the path.

Crossing the Sutlej River, they arrived there at Anandpur Sahib.

That place where Guru Gobind Singh created Guru Ka Lahore, there they placed all their supplies and possessions.

They began purchasing butter and sugar, getting great amounts of fine wheat flour as well.