Baba Deep Singh
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
On a visit to Sri Harmandir Sahib (also known as Golden Temple, Amritsar), the holiest place of the Sikhs, one comes across a most unique sight. A shrine on the north-east corner of the Parkrama, adjacent to the holy Sarovar, dedicated to a warrior who holds his severed head on one hand while fighting with the other! This is the unbelievable but true story of Baba Deep Singh, one of the most honored martyrs in Sikh history.
Deep Singh was born in 1682 CE in Amritsar district. He went to Anandpur Sahib on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699, where he was baptised into Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of the Sikhs), through the Amrit Sanchar (ceremonial initiation into Khalsa). As a youth, he spent considerable time in close companionship of Guruji, learning weaponry, riding and other martial skills. He also learnt reading and writing Gurmukhi and the interpretation of the Gurus' words, and started helping in making copies of the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh Sangat recognized the young Deep Singh as a Baba (wise person) and gave him this title.
In 1709, Baba Deep Singh joined Banda Singh Bahadur during the Battle of Sadhaura and the Battle of Chappar Chiri. Baba ji fought so bravely without care for his life, that Banda Singh Bahadur entrusted Baba ji with the title “Jinda Shaheed” (living martyr). Since that moment Baba ji was called “Shaheed Baba Deep Singh ji.” He took active part in many other wars, and was appointed as the leader of a large group of warriors (Misl) in 1748.
In his later years, he retired from the active warrior life, and devoted his time entirely for scriptural study. He spent many years preaching Sikh values and teachings and doing sewa of the Sangat. He was always ready to serve those in need and to fight for justice.
In April 1757, the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani ordered the demolition of the Sri Harimandir Sahib. The shrine was blown up and the holy Sarovar filled with the entrails of slaughtered animals. Baba Deep Singh, 75 years old at that time, felt that it was up to him to atone for the sin of having let the Afghans desecrate the shrine. He emerged from scholastic retirement and declared to a congregation that he intended to rebuild the temple.
500 Singhs came forward to go with him. Baba Deep Singh ji offered an Ardaas (pray) before starting for Amritsar, “May my head fall at Sri Harmandar Sahib.”
By the time they reached the village of Tarn Taran, about ten miles from Amritsar, their numbers had risen to about 5,000. At this time, Babaji drew a line on the ground with his khanda, 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:
At the news of the approach of Singhs, the Governor of Lahore (son of Ahmed Shah Durrani) sent one of his generals with an army of 20,000 to face them. Both the armies clashed near Gohalwarh on the 11th November, 1757. Fighting bravely, the Singhs pushed the army back and reached village Chabba where Attal Khan came forward and a fierce battle ensued.
During this attack, Attal Khan inflicted a blow on Baba Deep Singh ji, severing his head from his body. Baba ji, more than 75 years of age at that time, started to lose his footing under the impact of the blow, when a Sikh reminded him, “Baba ji, you had resolved (Ardaasa soddhyaa see) to reach the Parkarma of Sri Darbar Sahib.” On hearing this, an inhuman energy suddenly took over, and Baba ji placed his head on the palm of one hand and with the other hand moved his 14 Kg Khanda (double-edged sword) with such ferocity and strength that enemy soldiers started running away in panic. Thus, Baba Deep Singh made his way to the Parkarma of Sri Harmandar Sahib where, due to the severe injury, he attained martyrdom.
The Singhs celebrated the Diwali of 1757 in Sri Harmandar Sahib. The place where his head had fallen is marked by a stone and the Sikhs go past this place on their way to pay obeisance in Sri Darbar Sahib. It reminds them that the way to Sri Darbar Sahib is paved with the sacrifices of Gursikhs like Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji.
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
On a visit to Sri Harmandir Sahib (also known as Golden Temple, Amritsar), the holiest place of the Sikhs, one comes across a most unique sight. A shrine on the north-east corner of the Parkrama, adjacent to the holy Sarovar, dedicated to a warrior who holds his severed head on one hand while fighting with the other! This is the unbelievable but true story of Baba Deep Singh, one of the most honored martyrs in Sikh history.
Deep Singh was born in 1682 CE in Amritsar district. He went to Anandpur Sahib on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699, where he was baptised into Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru of the Sikhs), through the Amrit Sanchar (ceremonial initiation into Khalsa). As a youth, he spent considerable time in close companionship of Guruji, learning weaponry, riding and other martial skills. He also learnt reading and writing Gurmukhi and the interpretation of the Gurus' words, and started helping in making copies of the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh Sangat recognized the young Deep Singh as a Baba (wise person) and gave him this title.
In 1709, Baba Deep Singh joined Banda Singh Bahadur during the Battle of Sadhaura and the Battle of Chappar Chiri. Baba ji fought so bravely without care for his life, that Banda Singh Bahadur entrusted Baba ji with the title “Jinda Shaheed” (living martyr). Since that moment Baba ji was called “Shaheed Baba Deep Singh ji.” He took active part in many other wars, and was appointed as the leader of a large group of warriors (Misl) in 1748.
In his later years, he retired from the active warrior life, and devoted his time entirely for scriptural study. He spent many years preaching Sikh values and teachings and doing sewa of the Sangat. He was always ready to serve those in need and to fight for justice.
In April 1757, the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani ordered the demolition of the Sri Harimandir Sahib. The shrine was blown up and the holy Sarovar filled with the entrails of slaughtered animals. Baba Deep Singh, 75 years old at that time, felt that it was up to him to atone for the sin of having let the Afghans desecrate the shrine. He emerged from scholastic retirement and declared to a congregation that he intended to rebuild the temple.
500 Singhs came forward to go with him. Baba Deep Singh ji offered an Ardaas (pray) before starting for Amritsar, “May my head fall at Sri Harmandar Sahib.”
By the time they reached the village of Tarn Taran, about ten miles from Amritsar, their numbers had risen to about 5,000. At this time, Babaji drew a line on the ground with his khanda, 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:
"Jo to praym khaylan ka chaao, sir dhar talee galee mayree aao."
"Eith maarag pair dhareejai, sir deejai kaan na keejai."
Those who wish to play the game of love (to follow the Sikh path), come to me with your head in your palm.
If you wish your feet to travel this path, don't delay in accepting to give your head.
At the news of the approach of Singhs, the Governor of Lahore (son of Ahmed Shah Durrani) sent one of his generals with an army of 20,000 to face them. Both the armies clashed near Gohalwarh on the 11th November, 1757. Fighting bravely, the Singhs pushed the army back and reached village Chabba where Attal Khan came forward and a fierce battle ensued.
During this attack, Attal Khan inflicted a blow on Baba Deep Singh ji, severing his head from his body. Baba ji, more than 75 years of age at that time, started to lose his footing under the impact of the blow, when a Sikh reminded him, “Baba ji, you had resolved (Ardaasa soddhyaa see) to reach the Parkarma of Sri Darbar Sahib.” On hearing this, an inhuman energy suddenly took over, and Baba ji placed his head on the palm of one hand and with the other hand moved his 14 Kg Khanda (double-edged sword) with such ferocity and strength that enemy soldiers started running away in panic. Thus, Baba Deep Singh made his way to the Parkarma of Sri Harmandar Sahib where, due to the severe injury, he attained martyrdom.
The Singhs celebrated the Diwali of 1757 in Sri Harmandar Sahib. The place where his head had fallen is marked by a stone and the Sikhs go past this place on their way to pay obeisance in Sri Darbar Sahib. It reminds them that the way to Sri Darbar Sahib is paved with the sacrifices of Gursikhs like Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji.
Baba Deep Singh Ji’s shaheedi inspired the Sikhs to continue to fight against oppression for many years. Babaji's sterling life of extra-ordinary dedication and sacrifice fills our hearts even to this day with a great sense of devotion. He is surely among the most blessed of the disciples of the 10 Sikh Gurus.
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