- Baba Deep Singh
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Dastar
Sikhism PortalBaba Deep Singh (Punjabi: ਬਾਬਾ ਦੀਪਸਿੰਘ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ Hindi: बाबा दीप सिंह जी शहीद ) (1682–1757) is revered among Sikhs as one of the most hallowed martyrs in Sikhism and as a highly religious person. He is remembered for his sacrifice and devotion to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
He was the first jathedar(Head) of Damdami Taksal[1] a 300 years old religious school of the Sikhs[2] which was allegedly founded by last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh[1][3][4][5](although no research or historical document supports this was founded by Guru Gobind Singh [6]).
His name is also found as Deep Singh (without the "Baba" honorific) and Baba Deep Singh Ji.
Contents
Early life
Baba Deep Singh was born in 1682 to a Sikh couple, Bhagata(father) and Jioni(mother).[7] He lived in the village of Pohuwind in the district of Amritsar.[8]
He went to Anandpur on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699, where he was baptized as Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh. Deep Singh took Khande di Pahul or Amrit Sanchar (ceremonial initiation into Khalsa). As a youth, he spent considerable time in close companionship of Guru Gobind Singh. He started learning weaponry, riding and other martial skills. From Bhai Mani Singh, he began learning, reading and writing Gurmukhi and the interpretation of the Gurus' words. After spending two years at Anandpur, he returned to his village in 1702 and married and settled down. He was summoned by Guru Gobind Singh at Talwandi Sabo in 1705, where he helped Bhai Mani Singh in making copies of the Guru Granth Sahib. Before departing for Deccan, Guru Gobind Singh installed him as the caretaker of Gurdwara Damdama Sahib[citation needed].
Warrior
Misldar
In 1709, Baba Deep Singh joined Banda Bahadur during the assaults on the towns of Sadhaura and Sirhind. In 1733, Nawab Kapur Singh appointed him a leader of an armed squad(jatha). On the Vaisakhi of 1748, at the meeting of the Sarbat Khalsa in Amritsar, the 65 jathas of the Dal Khalsa were reorganized into twelve Misls. Baba Deep Singh was entrusted with the Leadership of the Shaheedan Misl.
The Demolition of the Harimandir Sahib
Painting of Baba Deep Singh asking only those who were willing to fight and die to cross the line
During this invasion of India in April 1757, Ahmad Shah Durrani annexed Punjab to his Afghan dominions and appointed his son, Taimur Shah, viceroy at Lahore. Jahan Khan invaded Amritsar in May 1757, he ordered the demolition of the Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple). The shrine was blown up and the sacred pool was defiled. Upon hearing this invasion and desecration of Harimandir Sahib, Baba Deep Singh at seventy-five years old gathered a large group of Sikhs and advanced towards Amritsar Harimandir Sahib. By the time they reached the village of Tarn Taran, about ten miles from Amritsar, their numbers had risen to about five thousand. At this time, Baba Ji drew a line on the ground with his khanda (double-edged sword), and asked only those who were willing to fight and die to cross the line. All of the assembled Sikhs crossed the line eagerly. Baba Deep Singh Ji then recited the Shabad: "Sir Jave Ta Jave, Mera Sikhi Sidhak Na Jave" If my head goes then so be it, but may my Sikhi faith never leave me.
When news of Baba Deep Singh Ji's intentions reached Jahan Khan and he immediately mobilized an army of 20,000 and proceeded towards Tarn Taran. Baba Deep Singh's army intercepted Jahan Khan's forces near the village of Goharwal, about five miles from Amritsar. At this point, there was a clash between the opposing forces. Baba Deep Singh Ji fought with his 15kg (about 32 lbs.) khanda (double-edged sword). Each Sikh fought with such great valor and courage that the enemy was almost defeated. During the midst of battle, a large army of reinforcements arrived for Jahan Khan's men, turning the odds against the Sikhs. Yet, the Sikhs with Baba Deep Singh continued fighting and advanced towards Amritsar.
Martyrdom
During the clash, one of the Mughal commanders, Jamal Khan, went to attack Baba Deep Singh. As they fought, both men swung their weapons with great force, leaving both of their heads separated from their bodies. After seeing this scene, a young Sikh warrior called out to Baba Deep Singh, reminding him of his vow to reach Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Baba Deep Singh hearing this immediately stood up, he supported his head with his left hand and removing the enemies from his way with the strokes of his double-edged sword with his right hand. Upon seeing the sight of Baba Deep Singh's headless body tearing through their numbers, most of the men in the Mughal army fled away in terror. Baba Deep Singh was able to continue fighting and reached the periphery of Harimandir Sahib where he breathed his last. The Sikh Army continued to fight the fleeing Mughals until victory was achieved. Baba ji is remembered by all Sikhs as a brave and courageous martyr with an unflinching dedication to the Sikh principles.
The spot where Baba Deep Singh's head fell is marked in the Golden Temple complex, and Sikhs from around the world pay their respects there. Baba Deep Singh's 15 kg[citation needed]Khanda (double-edged sword), which he used in his final battle, is still preserved at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, one of the five centers of temporal Sikh authority.
See also
References
- ^ a b Daily Excelsior.com
- ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041225/punjab1.htm#5
- ^ http://www.damdamitaksal.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=8
- ^ http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/arts/musicPunjab/Music%20of%20Punjab.htm
- ^ http://www2.xlibris.com/book_excerpt.asp?bookid=12543
- ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=doCmVaOnh_wC&pg=PA266&dq=was+dam+dami+taksal+started+by+Guru+Gobind+Singh%3F&as_brr=3&cd=4#v=onepage&q=&f=false
- ^ Bhagata, Siṅgha (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. p. 241. http://books.google.com/books?id=BihuAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22deep+singh%22+caste&q=sandhu+jat&pgis=1#search_anchor. "He was born in A.D. 1682...father...Bhagata...mother...Jioni...devoted Sikhs."
- ^ Bhagata, Siṅgha (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. p. 241. http://books.google.com/books?id=BihuAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22deep+singh%22+caste&q=sandhu+jat&pgis=1#search_anchor. "Deep Singh Shahid, a Sandhu Jat and resident of the village of Pohuwind of the pargana of Amritsar..."
External links
Categories:- History of Punjab
- Sikh Empire
- Indian Sikhs
- Sikh Gems
- Sikh martyrs
- Sikh warriors
- People from Amritsar
- 1757 deaths
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