The immortal martyr Baba Deep Singh Ji has a unique place in the history of religions and the tradition of martyrdom. This great warrior, who put his head on the pan and destroyed the enemy’s aha lah on the battlefield, was born on January 26, 1682 AD (14 Magh) in the house of his father Baba Bhagta Ji in village Pahuwind, district Tarn Taran from the womb of Mata Jioni Ji. In his childhood, he went to Sri Anandpur Sahib with his parents. Where he took Amritpan from the hands of the blessed Dashmesh Pita Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Apart from being immersed in Bhajan Bandgi, he acquired the skill of war, warfare and weapon handling, and here he learned to write and read Gurmukhi from Bhai Mani Singh Ji.In 1703, your parents sought permission from Guru Sahib to take you to the village. During this time, Sri Anandpur Sahib was attacked by the hill kings and the Mughal government, and Guru Sahib’s family and the Gursikhs had to leave Anandpur Sahib.
In 1704 AD, after the battle of Muktsar and the disbandment of 40 Singhs at the request of Bhai Mahan Singh, Sri Dasmesh Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Damdama Sahib Sabo ki Talwandi. Baba Deep Singh Ji attended at the Guru’s invitation.
At Damdama Sahib, Maharaj Sahib Ji, as per the promise made to the Singhs at Sri Anandpur Sahib, sent the Singhs to Kartarpur to bring the same Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji from Dhir Mall to teach the meaning of Gurbani and to record the Bani of the ninth king in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji written by Guru Arjan Dev Ji from Bhai Gurdas Ji at Amritsar Sahib. Dhir Malli further argued, saying that if you consider the blessed Guru Gobind Singh Ji to be the Jyot of Guru Nanak Dev Guru Arjan Dev Ji, then why doesn’t Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji himself recite the entire Bani from his own voice like Guru Arjan Dev Ji. When Dhir Malli refused to give the Saroop, Satguru Ji said that we knew that they should not give the Bir, but it was also necessary to clear everyone’s doubts. That perhaps there is a difference in the Guru Jyot.
Guru Sahib Ji himself recited Gurbani and Bhai Mani Singh Ji was asked to arrange pens, ink and paper to write the service of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed while Bhai Mani Singh Ji was being recited. When Guru Sahib started writing the Bani. Then Bhai Mani Singh Ji expressed his inability to write the Bani, Guru Sahib said Bhai Mani Singh, you should focus on the feet of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and keep the pen on your limbs, your lotus will flow forward. This is how it happened. So Guru Sahib Ji used to recite Gurbani sitting in the tent every day, Bhai Mani Singh Ji would perform the service of writing Gurbani, and in the evening Guru Sahib would recite the meaning of the recited Bani to all the Singhs. In this way, in 9 months, 9 days, 9 hours and 9 moments, the holy form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was completed in the year 1706 AD. It was at this time that the Taksal of the meanings began. Here, the Satguru appointed Baba Deep Singh Ji as the head of the Taksal and entrusted him with the service of making the Sangat hear the pure pronunciation of Gurbani and teaching its meaning. The Guru Sahib said that Bhai Deep Singh Ji, even if your head is separated from the Dhar while protecting the religion, your happiness will not be affected. Which later proved to be true. Similarly, the Satguru also bestowed blessings on Bhai Mani Singh Ji.
This holy Bir Damdama Sahib is famous as ‘Damdami Bir’ because it was prepared. After completing this great work, when Dasmesh Pita Ji went to Sri Hazur Sahib in the South, Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed went with Guru Sahib Ji at that time. At the time when Guru Sahib Ji installed Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on the Gurta Gaddi at Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded, at that time Bhai Mani Singh Ji served Tabia Chaur Sahib Ji and Dasmesh Pita Ji made Baba Deep Singh Ji, Pyare Dharam Singh Ji, Bhai Har Singh Ji, Bhai Santokh Singh Ji, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Shaheed Ji stand next to him as the five beloved ones and recited the ardas of the Gurta Gaddi. Baba Ji was also included in the five beloved ones at that time. Later, Baba Deep Singh Ji, after getting permission from Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj Ji, started the work of pure recitation of Gurbani, interpretation of Gurbani, and maintenance of Gurdwaras at Damdama Sahib. Guru Ka Langar was served in the morning and evening, Dhadi Vaars were sung at night, and the enthusiasm of Bir Ras was filled in the sangat. Whenever Baba Ji got time, he would write books of Gurbani and send them to different places. Baba Ji propagated Gurmat very extensively in a short time. He got a well installed at Gurdwara Sahib, made Gurdwara Sahib bigger and stronger, and did great service.Baba Ji assisted Bhai Gurbaksh Singh, whom we all know as Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, in every war and every campaign from 1708 to 1715. Baba Deep Singh Ji was awarded the title of Shaheed due to his bravery during the conquest of Sirhind. When Banda Singh Bahadur came to Anandpur Sahib, Baba Ji also stayed with him for three months. Both of them used to decorate the Diwan during that time. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur respected Baba Ji very much.
After the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716 AD, when the dispute between Bandai Khalsa and Tat Khalsa escalated, Baba Deep Singh Ji and Bhai Mani Singh Ji said to leave the decision to the Guru. Both sides accepted the proposal and wrote Waheguru Ji’s victory on one slip and Fateh Darshan on the other, prayed to the Guru and settled the dispute by throwing the slips in the Amrit Sarovar. During this period of 11 years, Baba Deep Singh Ji copied four copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with his own hands and got them adorned on the Takht Sahibs. He was also a scholar of Arabic and Persian, so he copied the form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Arabic and sent it to the Arab countries. The people of the Arab countries respect that copy very much.
When in 1733, Zakaria Khan, with the permission of the Emperor of Delhi, sent the Nawabi’s khilat (dress) to Amritsar through Bhai Subeg Singh to make peace with the Singhs, the Panth decided to give the Nawabiship to the great servant of the Panth, Nawab Kapur Singh Faizalpuria, who was a fan to the Sangat at that time, who used to serve the horses of the Khalsa, as per his condition, the five beloved ones whose feet were touched by the Nawabi offerings included Baba Deep Singh Ji, Bhai Karam Singh Kartarpur Wale, Bhai Hira Singh Hazuria, Bhai Budh Singh Sukarchakkia (great-grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) and Bhai Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. This agreement remained in force till 1735. After that, the Singhs had to leave Amritsar. In the meantime, Bhai Mani Singh had to suffer the death penalty.
After the Sachkhand Piana of Jathedar Diwan Darbara Singh Ji in 1734 AD, Jathas were formed as Tarna Dal and Budha Dal according to the need of the time. Tarna Dal was divided into five parts. Baba Deep Singh Ji was made the Jathedar of one Jatha, in which 2 thousand horsemen were kept ready at all times.
When Mase Ranghar desecrated the Sri Darbar Sahib in 1740, it was Bhai Sukha Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh, Singhs of the Jatha of Baba Ji’s Jathedar Baba Buddha Singh, who cut off Mase’s head and presented it before Baba Ji.
In 1748, in the Sarbat Khalsa at Amritsar, 65 different large and small groups of Sikhs were organized into 12 large groups – Misls and the Rakhi system was implemented. Under which groups of Singhs used to protect the lives and property of the villages they guarded. Baba Deep Singh Ji was made the first head of the Misl Shaheed.
During the 18th century, foreign invaders, the Afghan raiders, plundered India. At that time, it was the Sikhs who fought against these Afghan raiders and not only did they take back the valuable goods and equipment that had been looted from India. But the Indian brides and daughters, who were being taken to the markets of Ghazni to be sold, were rescued from the Afghans and sent back home.
In 1757, when Ahmad Shah Abdali was taking the looted wealth and innocent young girls from Delhi, Agra, Mathura to Afghanistan, Baba Deep Singh Ji’s group attacked and rescued the looted treasure and the girls. Due to which Abdali became even more angry and became a strong opponent of the Sikhs and was determined to eliminate the Sikhs. He made his son Timur the governor of Lahore and left 10000 troops under General Jahan Khan and went back to Kabul and issued an order that both the city of Amritsar and the Darbar Sahib should be destroyed. As soon as the order was executed, the desecration of the Harmandir Sahib started. When the news reached Baba Deep Singh Ji, who was residing at Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, he became furious. Aap Ji decided to confront those who violated the sanctity of Sri Darbar Sahib Ji and informed the surrounding towns and the places of Singhs. From where many Singhs came to pay their respects under the leadership of Baba Ji. Baba Ji conducted Akhand Path and ordered to beat drums and set Sri Amritsar Sahib on fire.
Thus, the number of Dal Khalsa had increased. After crossing the Beas River from Harike Pattan, the group of Singhs entered the area of Majha. After reaching the holy place of Tarn Taran Sahib, the Singhs and Baba Ji Deep Singh took a bath together. The horses were also given a scolding. After taking the Karah Prasad, the offerings of the servants were prayed to be accepted at the feet of the Guru. That, I will not attain martyrdom until I free the Golden Temple.
“My heart desires to die, but death is the door to God.”
Baba Deep Singh Ji wore a saffron colored dress. He wore all the weapons on his body. He held a two-pronged khanda in his hand. Coming out of the city, Baba Deep Singh Ji drew a line to test the warriors and said that any Singh who is ready to fight and get martyrdom for the sake of Guru Maharaj’s respect, should cross this line, whoever does not want to be a martyr should go back. At this time, many warriors had also joined Baba Ji, all the Singhs were shouting and beating drums, crossing the line and started marching towards Amritsar. The Afghans had received news about the Singhs’ advance. At that time, Jahan Khan, the in-charge of Amritsar city, reached Gohalwar village with an army of 20,000 to confront the Singhs. Baba Ji challenged the enemy army to a battle with the Singhs of the Jatha. Gurdwara Lalkar Sahib is now built at this place. There was a fierce clash between the Singhs and the Afghans. In the hot battle ground, amidst the echo of war horns and drums, the warriors of both the parties challenged each other and fell down. No one, full of fearless valor, retreated a single step. The entire battlefield was covered in blood. Bodies were covered in blood, clothes were stained with blood, as if they were playing Holi, but leaving the battlefield was not part of their nature. Then the Afghans started to lose their legs and could not resist the Singhs. The Singhs were advancing towards Amritsar, having outpaced the Afghans. At that time, Atai Khan, the assistant of Jahan Khan, arrived with his heavy army, which changed the face of the battlefield. In this fierce battle, the Sikhs started suffering heavy losses. The Singhs started getting martyred one by one. The battlefield had spread in three directions. The entire field was drenched in blood. Baba Ji and the Singhs were also wreaking havoc. Amir Jan Khan, the owner of the five thousand army, was fighting on an elephant and commanding his army. At that time, Bhai Dyal Singh, who was showing his warlike prowess with a group of five hundred Singhs, placed the hooves of his horse on the forehead of Jan Khan’s elephant and beheaded Amir Jan Khan with a sword blow. Ayub Khan was watching the agility and bravery of Dyal Singh. At that time, Aman Khan, Yakub Khan and other Afghan generals also reached the battlefield from Lahore. The Singhs were removing the arrogance of the Pathans. Seeing the Singhs advancing, the Abdalis brought cows and stood up. On the orders of Baba Deep Singh Ji, the Singhs left their arrows and guns and took up their swords. At that time, Yakub Khan challenged Baba Deep Singh to a fight. A fierce battle took place between the two. Both their horses were killed. Then they fought hand to hand, Baba Deep Singh Ji while attacking Gurj shattered Yakub Khan’s head along with his steel helmet. The Afghans were shocked to see the feats of the Singhs. Here the Afghan commander Jahan Khan (Aman Khan according to Giani Gian Singh) also expressed his desire for a duel with Baba Deep Singh. Baba Deep Singh fought a duel with him. Where both their horses were killed and their armor was also broken. Finally, with the combined blows of both of them, both their heads were cut off.
‘You are very angry, you are very angry, you are very angry.’
They came down with their heads bowed, each other’s faces one after the other.
Baba Ji’s head was severed from his body and his body fell to the ground. Seeing this, a Singh with folded hands requested Baba Ji, “Baba Ji, you had prayed for the head to go to Sudhasar and offer it at the feet of the Guru.” What will happen if he does this now? Sudhasar is two kilometers away from here.
“You are a Singh, but you remain Deep Singh.”
I will go to Gurupuram and give you my head. So, both of you stay here.’
Then what was the matter? The body of the brave warrior Baba Ji came into action and he kept his sacred head on his left hand and kept fighting while holding a sharp spear in his right hand. In the echo of bullets, the clash of swords and the echo of chants, the beloved of the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the combination of weapons and scriptures, the 75-year-old general Jathedar Baba Deep Singh Ji, the martyr, kept his head on the palm of his left hand and continued to fight the enemy, while behind him, the Guru Ke Singhs fought with full zeal while blowing the battle horn. Seeing this wonder of the Singhs fighting without their heads and such a strange and supernatural sight, the entire Afghan army of the Turks started running away in surprise, confusion and fear. Thus, in this fierce battle, the Afghan generals were killed and many Pathans and Afghans were killed by Baba Ji, which demoralized the Afghan army. While fighting, Baba Deep Singh Ji reached the perimeter of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib. The Singhs shouted the victory slogans, Baba Ji offered his head at the feet of Satguru Sri Guru Ram Das Ji and blessed Sachkhand. Thus, Akal Purakh Ji fulfilled this entire mystery through the great words of Gurbani through Baba Deep Singh Ji.
If you want to play love,
Come to my street, my head is on the ground.
Hold on to those deadly feet.
Don’t let your head be pierced.
Proved in practice.
Similarly, his fellow Singhs sacrificed their lives in revenge for the desecration of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and for the glory of religion and the nation.
In this battle, Jat Mehit Singh of Sarai tribe also fought without a head till Chatiwind. “Jat Sarai Mehit Singh tayon hi … laryo kabandh tahi ka bhara”. Jathedar Ram Singh also fought without a head. “laryo kabandh Ram Singh Kera” Bhai Balwant Singh and many others also fought a duel with Bis Hazari Zawar Khan. The Afghan army was demoralized by the killing of Afghan generals in this fierce battle. At that time, near the village of Chabbe, Mir Jan Khan challenged Baba Naudh Singh Gill, Naudh Singh Gill took his horse and stood in front of Mir Jan Khan. In the battle, both their horses fell down, then their swords also broke, their armor and shields also broke, finally both of them grabbed their spears and both of them thrust their spears into each other’s stomachs at once. The memorial Gurdwara Sahib is located on the Tarn Taran Road, where Baba Naudh Singh Ji was martyred.
Similarly, Giani Gian Singh has listed the names of Baba Deep Singh Ji’s renowned fellow Singhs Jathedar Ram Singh, Jathedar Sajjan Singh, Jathedar Bahadur Singh, Jathedar Hira Singh, Bhai Nihal Singh, Bhai Sant Singh, Bhai Kaur Singh, Bhai Sudha Singh, Bhai Basant Singh, Bhai Bir Singh, Bhai Manna Singh, Bhai Hira Singh, Bhai Ganda Singh, Bhai Lehna Singh, Bhai Gupal Singh, Bhai Ran Singh, Bhai Bhag Singh, Bhai Natha Singh, Bhai Bal Singh, Bhai Tara Singh Kang among those who sacrificed their lives for the glory of religion and the nation, becoming a source of inspiration for the generations to come. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the deeds done by our elders inspired by religion become a part of the entire consciousness and memories of the nations.In the parikrama of Sri Harmandir Sahib, where Baba Ji offered his head, there is a memorial Gurdwara Sahib. On the Tarn Taran road, where Papa Ji was cremated, there is Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj and the place where Baba Ji’s head was separated from the body, there is a very large Tahla tree at this place, so now there is a magnificent and very beautiful Gurdwara ‘Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Baba Deep Singh Ji’. The work of which is being done by Sant Baba Darshan Singh Ji of Tahla Sahib with the support of the Sangat. The work of constructing a new three-storey building of the Langar Hall is going on here. Thousands of Sangats come here every day to pay obeisance, serve and make wishes. Whereas with the arrival of countless Sangats in the Chupehra Gurmat Samagam on Sunday, Gurdwara Tahla Sahib has become the center of propagation of Sikhism today. The two-edged Khanda of Baba Deep Singh Ji is preserved in the armory of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and is offered to the devotees every evening. November 15th is the martyrdom day of Baba Deep Singh Ji.
(Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala, Phone: 9781355522)