Mehtab Singh Bhangu

Mehtab Singh Bhangu was a Sikh warrior. He was born to Hara Singh, a Jat of Bhangu clan of the village of Mirankot near Amritsar.

Sikh persecution

Punjab had gone through an era of Sikh persecution under the Mughal governor of Lahore Zakriya Khan from 1726 to 1745 A.D. The Sikhs of Punjab had taken refuge in the deserts of the Rajputana. Mehtab Singh Bhangoo had taken up employment under the ruler of Bikaner.

Desecration of Harmandir Sahib

In 1740, the governor of Lahore put Massa Ranghar or Musalul Khan, a Chaudhury of Mandiala as the incharge of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Sikhs were not allowed to visit the Harmandir Sahib or to take a dip in the holy waters of its tank (sarovar). Massa Ranghar persecuted the Sikhs and looted the shops and home of Hindus. He watched the dancing girls perform, drank alcohol and smoked hookah inside the Harminder Sahib.

News from Amritsar

Two residents of Amritsar Tej Ram, a Hindu and Bulaka Singh took this news to a band of Khalsa in the deserts of Bikaner under the leadership of Sardar Sham Singh. Tej Ram and Bulaka Singh nararted their stories to the congregation of Sikhs. After listening Sardar Mehtab Singh volunteered to bring Massa Ranghar's head back to Bikaner. Another Sikh, Sardar Sukha Singh of Mari Kamboki also stood up and asked to accompany Mehtab Singh.

Both of the Sikhs disguised themselves as landlords (Chaudhries) bringing revenue to Amritsar. They rode across the desert and reached Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo near Bathinda. They filled up bags of broken pottery pieces and made them look as if they are full of coins.

Revenge at Harmandir Sahib

On August 11, 1740 A.D. they dressed up as landlords from Patti and entered the city of Amritsar. They reached the Harmandir Sahib and them tied their horses to the berry tree and went inside the Harmandir Sahib carrying the bags. Massa Ranghar was smoking the hukkah and watching the dancing girls. The Sikhs threw the bags under Massa's bed and said that they had come to pay the revenue. Massa bent downwards to have a look at the bags. Mehtab Singh immediately took his sword and slashed it at Massa's neck and instantly severed his head. Sukha Singh finished off the guards of Massa Ranghar. They put Massa's head in a bag and rode their horses back to Talwandi Sabo the same evening. The next day they reached Bikaner and presented Massa Ranghar's head on a spear to the congregation (Dal) of Sikhs.

Martyrdom

In 1745 A.D. Bhai Mehtab Singh heard the news of the arrest and torture of Bhai Taru Singh . He decided to surrender himself voluntarily to die aside Bhai Taru Singh. In June 1745 A.D. Bhai Mehtab Singh was ordered by the governor of Lahore, to be tortured until death and was martyred on the rotating wheels of nails.

See also

• Sukha Singh
• Rattan Singh Bhangu
• Udham Singh

References