The Scribe and Martyr of Sikhism Bhai Mani Singh:

The Sikh history is the history of martyrs and Bhai Mani Singh has a special place in the line of martyrs. To ignore the importance of the part played by Bhai Mani Singh is to miss the significance of the phase itself. Bhai Mani Singh played an important and inspiring role in guiding the desperate followers of Guru Gobind Singh. He was an 18th-century Sikh scholar and the superb martyr. He was a childhood companion of Guru Gobind Singh and took the vows of Sikhism when the Guru inaugurated the Khalsa in March 1699. Soon after that, the Guru sent him to Amritsar to take charge of Harmandir Sahib, which had been without a custodian since 1696. He took control and steered the course of Sikh destiny at a critical stage in Sikh history. He was also a teacher of the Gianian Bunga (learning Institute), later becoming known as the “Amritsari Taksal”, currently located in Sato Ki Gali. On account of the peculiar and high position held by Bhai Mani Singh and his great piety, his martyrdom aroused the greatest indignation and it deserves a particular mention.

 

Bhai Mani Singh – a superb Shaheed (martyr), great Sikh personality of the eighteenth century – occupies a very esteemed position in Sikh history, who assumed control and steered the course of the Sikhs’ destiny at a very critical stage. Bhai Mani Singh was born in a pious and dedicated GurSikhs family which was devoted to the Gurus. He had the rare privilege to be the childhood friend of Sri Guru Gobind Singh. In 1726, the Mughals ruled Punjab and they were bent on exterminating the Sikhs; no Sikh was allowed to utter the word “Guru”. There was a price on the head of every Sikh. A great scholar, a devoted GurSikh, and a courageous leader, Bhai Mani Singh laid down his life to uphold the dignity of the Sikh religion as well as nation. The nature of his martyrdom in which he was dismembered joint by joint has become a part of the daily Sikh Ardas (prayer).
BIRTH
Bhai Mani Singh was born on 10th March, 1644 at village Alipur, near Multan now in Pakistan and was named Mani Ram, but was called Mania. However, the exact date of Bhai Mani Singh’s birth is a bit of a mystery. Giani Thakur Singh lists his year of birth as 1672 while some other writers put it at 1670, but according to Sohan Singh Seetal, a well known Sikh historian, Bhai Mani Singh was born in 1664. Principle Satbir Singh listed his year of birth as 1672 in his 1970 edition of his book, “Sada Itihaas”, but later editions listed his year of birth as 1662. Dr Santokh Singh also lists his date of birth as 1662. These earlier dates are indirectly based on Giani Giani Singh’s references to Guru Tegh Bahadur’s visit to village Akoi/Malwa in 1665. Based on critical analysis of ancient Sikh writings, it appears that Bhai Mani Singh may have been born no later than 1665.
According to Shaheed Bilaas Bhai Mani Singh a book edited and published by Giani Garja Singh in 1961, the birth date of Bhai Mani Ram; alias Bhai Mani Singh (Parmar; Rajput) from Village Alipur located in Muzaffargarh, Multan was 1644. His father, Rao Mai Das was the son of the great Shaheed Rao Ballu, the General of the sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind’s army. Shaheed Mani Singh Parmar’s family comes from a family of powerful kings; in fact he was the 23rd descendent of great legendary Rajput Emperor of India, Vikramaditya.
As mentioned earlier, Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh belonged to a powerful family of Rajput King’s who originated from the legendary Chandarvanshi, Parmar dynasty. In addition to this, his Grandfather Shaheed Rao Ballu, was one of the advisors to great emperor Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad ‘Akbar’ (known as Emperor Akbar). Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh’s family were originally from Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, and migrated to Village Alipur, District of Muzaffargarh, Multan, Pakistan in approximately 1582-1600.
Following passages from Sri Gur Partap Sooraj Granth and Gur Padh Prem Prakash Granth reveals that Bhai Mani Singh belong to a powerful ancestral Parmar, Rajput family:
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(ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਸੂਰਜ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ, ਰੁਤ ੩, ਅੰਸ਼ੂ ੨੦)
ਪੁਰ ਮੁਲਤਾਨ ਅਲੀਪੁਰ ਨੇਰੇ । ਮਾਈ ਦਾਸ ਰਾਜਪੂਤ ਬਸੇਰੇ । ੨੫ ।
ਤਿਸ ਕੇ ਮਨੀ ਰਾਮ ਸੁਤ ਹੋਯੋ । ਆਇ ਤਹਾਂ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਜੋਯੋ ।
ਪਾਂਚ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਲੈ ਆਪਨੇ ਸਾਥ । ਸ਼ਰਨੀ ਪਰਯੋ ਰਹਿਯੋ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਥ । ੨੬
ਸੋ ਪੰਚਹੁ ਭਰਾਤਾ ਕਰ ਖਰੇ । ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ ਗੁਰ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਧਰੇ । ਬਡੇ ਬਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਭੱਟ ਭਯੋ । ਉਦੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੂਸਰ ਬਿਦਤਯੋ । ੨੭ ।
ਅਨਿਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਅਰ ਅਜਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਪੁਨ । ਪੰਚਮ ਭਯੋ ਅਜਾਇਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਗੁਨ । ਅਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਖੰਡੇ ਕੋ ਤਿਨ ਦੀਨਾ । ਮਾਨਹੁ ਪੰਚ ਪਾਂਡਵ ਬਲ ਪੀਨਾ । ੨੮
ਰਨ ਮਹਿ ਕਰੇ ਕਰਮ ਜਿਨ ਭਖੀਨ । ਰਿਪੂ ਮਾਰੇ ਜਿਨ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਤੀਖਨ ।
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(ਗੁਰ ਪਦ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼, ਸਫ਼ਾ ੧੬੨)
ਭਯੋ ਆਲਿਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਚਨਾ ਸਿਆਲ ਕੋਟ ਰਾਜਪੂਤ ।
ਫੇਰ ਮਾਈ ਦਾਸ ਸੁਤ ਰਾਜਪੂਤ ਅੱਤ ਮਜਬੂਤ ।
ਨਿਕਟ ਹੈ ਮੁਲਤਾਨ ਕੇ ਇਨ ਅਲੀ ਗਢ ਅਸਥਾਨ ।
ਤਾਂਹਿ ਕੇ ਸੁਤ ਪਾਂਚ ਪਾਂਚੋ ਭਏ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੁਜਾਨ । ੭ ।
ਉਦੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਚਿਤ੍ਰ ਸਿੰਘ, ਅਨਿਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੁ ਬੀਰ ।
ਅਜਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੁਮਤ ਅਜਾਇਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਣਧੀਰ ।
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MARRIAGES AND CHILDREN
When Mani Singh was 13 years old, his father, Rao Mai Das, took him to Guru Har Rai at Kiratpur to pay homage. Mani Singh spent about two years at Kiratpur in the service of Guru Har Rai, scrubbing cooking pots and utensils. He also attended to other chores. When Mani Singh was 15 years old, his father applied to Guru Har Rai for leave to be granted to Mani Singh for a short period. Mani Singh and his father returned to their village Alipur where he was married to Seeto Bai, daughter of Raav Lakhi Rai Jadhaun Jadovanshi Raav (King) of Khairpur Tamewali now in Pakistan at the age of 15. Bhai Mani Singh has ten sons (Chitar Singh, killed with Mani Singh in Lahore in 1734; Bachitar Singh, killed in the battle of Nihan near Anandpur Sahib in 1704; Udai Singh, killed in Shahi Tibi near Anandpur Sahib in 1704; Anaik Singh, killed in the battle of Chamkaur in 1704; Ajab Singh, killed in the battle of Chamkaur in 1704; Ajaib Singh, killed in the battle of Chamkaur in 1704; Gurbaksh Singh, killed with Mani Singh in Lahore in 1734; Bhagwan Singh; Balram Singh and Desa Singh – the author of the Rehat Maryada (Code of conduct) of the Khalsa.
Seven of Mani Singh’s sons were from his first wife, Seeto Bai and the remainder from his second wife Khemi Bai.
ANCESTRY
Bhai Mani Singh has the distinction of belonging to a family of martyrs. Mani Singh’s family consisted of notable warriors, among them his cousin Bhagwant Singh Bangeshwar, who was a ruler in Aurangzeb time. His brother, Dayala was killed at Delhi with Guru Tegh Bahadur. In fact his family is known as family of Warriors as nearly seventy family members has had gained martyrs.
Mani Singh was originally called Mani Ram, and had two elder brothers: Jet (Bhai Jetha Singh) and Dayal Das. Devotion to the Gurus was in his heritage and his family can rightly boast of an impressive record of sacrifices. Mani Singh was one of the 12 sons of Mai Das. His grandfather was Rao Ballu, a reputable warrior, who was a general in Guru Hargobind’s army. Mani Singh’s family consisted of notable warriors, among them his cousin Bhagwant Singh Bangeshwar, who was a ruler in Aurangzeb time. Bhai Dayal Daas who was tortured and executed at Delhi before the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675 at Delhi was the elder brother of Bhai Mani Singh. As mentioned by Kesar Singh Chhibbar in ‘Shahid Bilas’, Hathi Chand, Lehna Singh and Sohan Singh who died fighting for Guru Gobind Singh at different places were younger brothers of Bhai Mani Singh. According to Dr Rattan Singh Jaggi’s book in Punjabi ‘Bhai Mani Singh Jivenee and Rachna'(1983) Punjabi University, Patiala, his five sons-Bachitar Singh, Ude Singh, Anik Singh, Ajaib Singh and Ajub Singh gave their lives fighting against the Mughals in 1705. Lakhi Rai who cremated the headless body of Guru Tegh Bahadur at great risk was father-in-law of Bhai Mani Singh. Bhai Gurbax Singh and Bhai Chitar Singh, sons of Bhai Mani Singh, were martyred along with him in 1734 in Lahore.
EARLY LIFE AND DEVOTION
His father, Mai Daas, brought him to Sri Guru Har Rai in 1657 at Kiratpur. On seeing him, the Guru said: Mania will be Gunia (virtuous). He stayed there for about 2 years in the service of the Guru and received instructions in the Sikh lore. In 1659, he returned to his village and was married to Sito Devi daughter of Lakhi Rai. Subsequently, Mani Singh, accompanied by his elder brothers, Bhai Jetha Singh and Bhai Dial Das, went to Kiratpur and presented themselves before Guru Har Rai for service at his shrine. After his marriage, he humbly served in the Langar (free kitchen) of the Guru and learnt Gurbani. After the death of Sri Guru Har Rai, he attended on his successor, Sri Guru Har Krishan and accompanied him to Delhi also.
When Guru Har Krishan died on 30 March 1664 in Delhi, Mani Singh escorted the Guru Har Krishan’s mother, Mata Sulakhani, to Bakala and presented himself before Guru Teg Bahadur for service. Mani Singh’s elder brothers, Bhai Jetha Singh and Bhai Dial Das, also arrived at Bakala for service with the Guru. Mani Singh was at that time 20 years of age. After serving sometime in the service of Guru Teg Bahadur, Mani Singh took leave of the Guru and returned to his village in Alipur.
Bhai Mani Singh later proceeded to Anandpur Sahib for the Vaisakhi festival, accompanied by his family. Guru Teg Bahadur had then just arrived at Anandpur Sahib after a preaching tour in the East. When Guru Teg Bahadur heeded the appeal of the Kashmiri Pandits and their request for help in saving the Hindu religion, Guru Teg Bahadur decided to proceed to Delhi. Bhai Jetha and Mani Singh and some other Sikhs remained at Anandpur with Guru Gobind Singh to look after him. Bhai Mati Das; Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dial Das accompanied Guru Teg Bahadur to Delhi. They were arrested together with Guru Teg Bahadur and taken to Delhi where all of them were put to death.
Bhai Mani Singh was a childhood companion of Guru Gobind Singh. He was not of the same age as Guru Gobind Singh (at that time called Gobind Rai) but much older. Mani Singh remained in his company even after Gobind Rai had ascended the religious seat as Guru. Mani Singh accompanied the Guru to the seclusion of Paonta where Guru Gobind Singh spent some three years exclusively given to literary work.
On Vaisakhi day of 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth, Bhai Mani Singh took Amrit at the hands of Guru Gobind Singh and became Mani Singh. On this day Bhai Mani Singh’s three brothers, (Rai Singh, Roop Singh and Man Singh) and five sons (Bachitar Singh; Udai Singh; Anaik Singh; Ajab Singh; Ajaib Singh) were also initiated as Khalsas.
From his youth he showed deep devotion and great interest in Sikhism. His spiritual journey took him to Amritsar, where he became a devoted disciple of the tenth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh.
Under the guidance of Sri Guru Gobind Singh, Bhai Mani Singh immersed himself in the study of Sikh scriptures, martial arts and principles of justice. His devotion to the Sikh faith was firm and he dedicated his life to the service of the Guru and the Sikh community. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh sent Bhai Mani Singh and five other Khalsas to Amritsar with instructions to take possession of the Harmandir Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh was appointed Granthi of the Harmandir Sahib and Jathedar of the Sri Akal Takhat. Mani Singh thus became the third Granthi of the Harmandir Sahib, after Baba Buddha Sahib and Bhai Gurdas. Apart from Kirtan (Singing of hymns from the Granth Sahib), Bhai Mani Singh used to do Katha (Exposition of Gurbani) which became a very popular daily feature. Rahit Maryada was propagated and arrangements were made for administering Pahul (initiation) to new converts to the Khalsa fold. As a result of Bhai Mani Singh’s efforts, a large number of Jats (farmers) from northern Punjab were initiated as Khalsas, whose numbers expand exponentially. Many of them, when they went back to their villages, persuaded others to take the Pahul and become Khalsas. Periodically, Bhai Mani Singh used to go to Anandpur Sahib to pay homage to Guru Gobind Singh and keep him informed of the affairs and happenings at Amritsar.
BATTLES FOUGHT:
Bhai Mani Singh was not only a great scholar of Sikh sacred scripture and wrote books on Sikhi but was also a warrior who accompanied Guru Gobind Singh as one of his body guards on many occasions. The brave deeds of Mani Singh in so many battles earned him the reputation of a great warrior. In his position of being the Guru’s Diwan (Minister) he had to attend to many matters in the Guru’s establishment. Nevertheless, he had time to study the Sikh scripture under the Guru’s guidance and became an accomplished theologian. He acquired so much knowledge and understanding of Gurbani, that he used to do Katha (Exposition) of the Granth Sahib to the Sangat (Congregation) both at Anandpur Sahib and later at the Harmandir Sahib.
In 1685, when Guru Gobind Singh went to Nahan, on the invitation of Raja Medni Prakash, Bhai Mani Singh was one of the Sikhs who accompanied the Guru. In 1687, when the Guru received a request for help from the widow of Baba Ram Rai, because the Masands were ill treating her, Guru Gobind Singh accompanied by Mani Singh went to Derah Doon, taught the Masands a good lesson and put them in their proper place.
In 1688, at the Barsi (Death anniversary) of Baba Ram Rai, Guru Gobind Singh deputed Mani Singh as the head of a Jatha of 50 Sikhs to represent him at the Barsi.
Bhai Mani Singh fought in several battles, including: Battle of Bhangani (1688), Battle of Nadaun (1691), Battle of Anandpur (1699), and Battle of Amritsar (1709).
Bhai Mani Singh accompanied Guru Gobind Singh when he went across the banks of the Yamuna River to Paonta, Himachal. Bhai Mani Singh fought in the Battle of Bhangani in 1688 to defend Paonta from the joint attack of all the hill rajas. Mani Singh showed his prowess with the sword. In this battle his younger brother Hati Chand was killed.
In 1690, in the Battle of Nadaun, Mani Singh showed great bravery and prowess with the sword; so much so that after the victory of the Guru’s forces, Guru Gobind Singh bestowed on Mani Singh the title of Diwan (Minister).
In the first battle fought by Guru Gobind Singh after the creation of the Khalsa Panth in 1699, against Raja Ajmer Chand and his Mughal supporters, Bhai Mani Singh and his sons were in the first line of the Guru’s forces. The Guru was so pleased with the bravery and the performance of Mani Singh’s sons that after the Khalsa victory, the Guru issued a special Hukumnama (Edict) in praise of them. Mani Singh’s sons mentioned in the Hukumnama were: Bachitar Singh, Udai Singh, Anaik Singh, Ajab Singh, and Ajaib Singh.
When Guru Gobind Singh left Anandpur on the night of 20 December 1704, his family got separated at river Sirsa in the confusion created by the Mughal attack. Bhai Mani Singh took Mata Sundri and Mata Sahib Devan to Delhi via Ambala. In 1704, Bhai Mani Singh escorted Guru Sahib’s wife and Mata Sahib Devan to Talwandi Sabo where the Guru was staying after defeating the Mughal army at Muktsar. Here Guru Gobind Singh from memory recited the current version of the Guru Granth Sahib while Bhai Mani Singh transcribed it.
When Guru Sahib left Agra with Emperor Bahadur Shah for Nanded in 1707, Mata Sahib Devan and Bhai Mani Singh accompanied him. Afterwards Bhai Mani Singh escorted Mata Sahib Devan back to Delhi where she lived with Mata Sundri for the rest of her life.
The Battle of Anandpur was fought between the Sikh forces led by Guru Gobind Singh and the Hill State forces by Alim and Balia Chand. This was the first major battle fought after the formation of the Khalsa. The neighboring Hill chiefs began to despise the Guru over his growing popularity. Sikhs were also frequently ambushed and attack by the men of the Raja and which caused unrest between the Sikhs and Rajas.
On the 23rd of June 1699, the Guru was on a hunting trip in the Dun. Balia Chand and Alim Chand, two hill kings, seeing Guru with only a small retinue launched a surprise attack in a bid to capture the Guru. The combined forces of the two kings far outnumbered the Sikhs. Soon, reinforcements under Bhai Uday Singh reached and the tables were turned. Alam Chand had his right hand cut off by Alam Singh Nachna and fled from the battlefield. Balia Chand was shot by Udai Singh and died. The hill troops, demoralized by the retreat and death of their generals, the kings retreated. This defeat unnerved the hill Rajas, who met in a council and decided to send a letter to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for help. Then the Mughals fought the Sikhs in the Battle of Anandpur (1700).
The Battle of Amritsar was fought on 6 and 12 April 1709 between the Sikh forces led by Bhai Mani Singh and the Mughal forces sent by Aslam Khan, the Governor of Lahore. This battle was the first one fought after Guru Gobind Singh’s death, even before Banda Singh Bahadur’s skirmishes against the Mughals. This battle can also be referred to as The Unsung Battle of Amritsar.
A SCHOLAR
A manuscript of the ‘Guru Sakhian’ (stories of the Gurus), was handwritten by Bhai Mani Singh in the 18th century.
Bhai Sahib at the age of 14 years had the honour to scribe the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the presence of Sahib-i-Kamal Sri Guru Gobind Singh who dictated to him Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh collected the Gurbani (Literally “Word of the Guru”) of Guru Gobind Singh and compiled it in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (presently Sikhs living Guru).
He also transcribed many copies of the sacred Sikh scriptures which were sent to different preaching centers in India. He was a revered as a scholar, a philosopher and teacher of Gurbani. He compiled the Sri Dasam Granth (Book of the Tenth Guru) of Guru Gobind Singh. The writings included in the Dasam Granth were composed at different times by the Guru himself.
Besides this, Bhai Sahib also authored Japji Sahib Da Garb Ganjni Teeka (teeka means translation and explanation of a work). He expanded the first of Bhai GurDas’s Vaars into a life of Guru Nanak which is called Gyan Ratanawali. Bhai Mani Singh wrote another work, the Bhagat Ralanawali, (sometimes called Sikhan di Baghat Mala), an expansion of Bhai Gurdas’s eleventh Vaar, which contains a list of famous Bhagats up to the time of Guru Har Gobind.
Bhagat/Gyan Ratnavali by Mani Singh was written around the eighteenth century (between AD 1675 and 1708) by Bhai Mani Singh, a devotee of Guru Gobind and is only an exposition of Bhai Gurdas’s first canto. It does not pretend to add to the information on Guru Nanak. Historic value of Bhagat Ratnavali is immense because it is based on the first Var of Bhai Gurdas and contains no imaginary events. Also, it records all episodes in chronological order and avoids errors of other janamsakhis. Bhagat Ratnavali is significant, in the sense that in the list of Guru Nanak’s companions and disciples, contained in this book there is no mention of Bala Sandhu.
In his capacity as a Granthi of Darbar Sahib at the Golden Temple, Bhai Mani Singh is also stated to have composed the Ardas (Supplication) in its current format; he also started the tradition of mentioning deeds of various GurSikhs with the supplication.
LEADERSHIP AT HARMANDIR SAHIB
Bhai Mani Singh who was under the presence of Guru Gobind Singh in 1690s had taken over the Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar in mid-1699 from Minas. After initiating the people of Majha to the Khalsa Panth Bhai Mani Singh came back to Anandpur Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh actively taught the reading of Gurbani and its philosophy to the Sikhs.
According to some Hukamnamas, Bhai Mani Singh was heading the shrine in 1716. He spent the period of worst persecution in post 1716 at the village of Baganwala in Jhang district.
In 1720, Mata Sunder Kaur learned of the trouble that was brewing between the Tat Khalsa (A sect of Khalsa who were strict followers of Guru Gobind Singh) and Bandai Khalsa (a sect of Khalsa who regarded Banda Singh Bahadur as the Guru) military factions of the Sikhs. She appointed Bhai Mani Singh as the Granthi of Harmandir Sahib and sent him to Amritsar with Mama Kirpal Singh (Chand), the maternal uncle of Sri Guru Gobind Singh. In 1721, Bhai Mani Singh on reaching Amritsar restored peace among the Khalsa, by casting lots and the Tat Khalsa was declared to have won, and put the affairs of Harmandir Sahib in order. After Bhai Mani Singh’s execution the next prominent Sikh leader was Nawab Kapur Singh (1697–1753).
MARTYRDOM
In 1726 the Mughals ruled Punjab and were bent on exterminating the Sikhs. No Sikh was allowed to utter the word “Guru” and there was a price on the head of every Sikh.
Zakria Khan, a fanatic Muslim, was the Governor of Lahore during the reign of Emperor Muhammad Shah. He had strictly forbidden Sikhs to visit Amritsar and took a holy dip (bathe) in the holy tank, and had deputed Diwan Lakhpat Rai to Amritsar for this purpose. He did not allow Sikhs to assemble and celebrate Diwali at Sri Darbar Sahib.
Bhai Mani Singh approached Zakaria Khan – the Governor of Lahore, for permission to hold the Diwali festival to celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas at the Harmandir Sahib. The permission was granted for a tribute of Rs. 5,000 (a high tax known as ‘jizya’). Bhai Mani Singh hoped that he would be able to pay the sum out of the offerings to be made by the Sikhs who were invited to come, and issued initiations to various Sikhs for this purpose. The Governor alongside Diwan Lakhpat Rai had different intentions and he sent secret orders to his forces to make a surprise attack on the Sikhs during the festival. Bhai Mani Singh learned of this plan and sent messages to tell the Sikhs not to come; those that did left due to the presence of a military force and suspicious movement of the officers. Thus, no money could be collected or paid to the government; and Bhai Mani Singh was ordered to be executed.
Bhai Mani Singh was arrested for non-payment of the promised money as ordered by the Governor. He was offered to embrace Islam or pay the money otherwise he would be cut into pieces, limb by limb. Bhai Mani Singh refused the offer and accepts to cut into pieces. This true Sikh of the Guru neither wavered nor lost his poise. He was calm and serene up to his last breath. Bhai Sahib did not yield and remained steadfast and firm as a Sikh. Refusing to give up his beliefs he was condemned to death by dismemberment (would be cut into pieces, limb by limb). When the executioner started to begin from his wrists, Bhai Mani Singh reminded the executioner of the sentence, reminding the executioner of his punishment and to start from the joints in his hands. He was martyred by being cutting bone by bone starting from the finger tips. in June 1734 when he was 90 years old at a place where now stands Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj in Lahore. This tragic incident has been narrated in ‘Shaheed Bilas’, stanza 203. There was also an old well at that place where after being martyred, the Sikhs were thrown into.
A scholar, a devoted Sikh, and a leader, Bhai Mani Singh laid down his life to uphold the dignity of the Sikh religion as well as nation. The nature of his martyrdom in which he was dismembered joint by joint has become a part of the daily Sikh Ardas (prayer).

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