Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a prominent figure in Sikh history who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was born in the Jammu region and grew up as a devout Hindu. Later in life, he became a follower of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, and was initiated into the Khalsa brotherhood.

 

Early Life

 

He was born in October 1670 and was raised in a Rajput family that primarily engaged in farming in the village of Rajouri, located in the district of Punch in the state of Kashmir. His parents, Ram Dev, and Sulakhani Devi gave him the name Lachman Dev. As a child, Lachman Dev displayed a keen interest in horse riding, martial arts, and hunting, and became proficient in using weapons such as bows and arrows that were commonly used during that period's wars.

 

Lachman Dev's father was a compassionate and religious person who would offer free food and shelter to visiting saints, sadhus, and other holy individuals. As a result of this exposure, Lachman Dev's interest turned towards spiritual pursuits and he began to seek guidance from these wise and holy people.

 

During a hunting trip at the age of 15, Lachman Dev came across a she-deer and accidentally killed her, causing twin unborn offspring to die in front of his eyes. This incident deeply affected him and inspired him to renounce hunting and become an ascetic.

After renouncing hunting, Lachman Dev became a follower of Sadhu Ram Daas of Ram Thamman near Lahore, now in Pakistan. Later, he began to follow Janaki Daas and changed his name to Madho Daas. He continued to travel and eventually arrived in Panchavati near Nasik in Maharashtra, where he became a disciple of Sadhu Aughhar Nath.

 

Madho Daas devotedly served Aughhar Nath for five years and was bestowed with all of his virtues, occult powers, and even his own created holy book. When Aughhar Nath passed away in 1691, Madho Daas, who was now 21 years old, had acquired miraculous powers.

 

He then journeyed to Nanded, where he established his own Ashram. Having resided in Nander for the past 16 years, Madho Daas had become a renowned figure by the year 1708, at the age of 38. He had acquired immense miraculous powers and had established a large Ashram, in which he took great pride in his wisdom, meditation, and occult abilities.

However, his fame seemed to have gotten to his head, and he began to belittle and insult visiting saints, sadhus, intellectuals, and faquirs who came to his Dera.

 

Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Nanded

 

In December 1704, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his family, along with many Sikhs, were forced to leave Anandpur Sahib in harrowing circumstances. Despite assurances from the Mughal forces and their Pahari allies that no harm would come to them, they were attacked from all sides, with the Sarsa River flooding on one side. Although the Guru lost his four sons and countless Sikhs, he remained undaunted and accepted it as the Will of God. His unwavering determination to never compromise with his principles and duty towards mankind was unshakeable.

 

As he journeyed from the north to the south of Punjab, Guru Gobind Singh Ji sent a letter of victory, known as the "Zafarnama," to Aurangzeb, the then king of India, through Bhai Daya Singh. This made Aurangzeb realize the gravity of his actions and he repented for his sins, as evidenced in his last letter to his son, Kaam Bakash. In it, he acknowledged the evil deeds he had committed and expressed uncertainty about what punishment he would receive in the court of God. These words are etched on his grave at his mausoleum in Aurangabad.

 

Following Aurangzeb's death in 1707, his sons engaged in a fight for the throne, with the eldest son, Bahadur Shah, seeking Guru Gobind Singh's help. Bahadur Shah was a Shia Muslim who promised to hand over all those guilty of atrocities. With the Guru's assistance, Bahadur Shah became the next king of Hindustan. However, despite his promises, atrocities continued in Punjab, and Bahadur Shah failed to fulfill his commitments, possibly due to fear of unrest among the Muslim population.

Meanwhile, in the south, people revolted against Bahadur Shah. He requested the Guru to accompany him to Agra, but on reaching there from Delhi, Guru Gobind Singh became suspicious of Bahadur Shah's intentions and separated his caravan from Bahadur Shah's. He continued his journey towards the south, perhaps displaying his foresight and wisdom.

 

Guru Gobind singh ji meeting Madho Dass

 

During his journey to the south, Guru Gobind Singh arrived at Jaipur where Mahant Jait Ram came to pay his respects. Guru Gobind Singh ji asked him for suggestions of good and holy individuals, and Jait Ram advised against visiting Madho Daas Bairagi, as he was known for his egoism and mistreatment of others. However, Guru ji decided to meet Madho Daas first.

 

In September 1708, Guru Gobind Singh and a few Sikhs arrived at Madho Daas Bairagi's Ashram, but he was not present at the time. The Guru ji and his followers began to arrange and cook food, while Madho Daas' followers hurried to inform him of the situation. Madho Daas attempted to use his occult powers to insult and harass the Guru Gobind Singh Ji but failed in all his attempts.

 

He eventually arrived at the Ashram, shouting at the Guru ji and asking who he was and how he had entered his Ashram. The Guru ji calmly responded that Madho Daas, with all his power, should know who he was. When Madho Daas professed his ignorance, the Guru ji asked him to calm down and think it over. After some time, Madho Daas realized that the Guru was Guru Gobind Singh and fell to his feet, proclaiming himself as the Guru's Banda, which also means a good human being.

 

Guru Gobind Singh Ji instructed Madho Daas to work as a Banda, a good human being, and assured him of his guidance. Madho Daas became devoted to the Guru ji and was given Amrit in the Sikh way, and named Gur Bakhash Singh. However, he remained known as Banda Singh Bahadur.

It was nothing short of a miracle that the 38-year-old Rajput, who was far from his native place and had become a mystic, celibate, vegetarian, and master of a large Ashram, was transformed into a disciplined soldier and army general by the Guru's magnetic personality. Banda Singh Bahadur fell on the cruel rulers of Punjab like a storm and a cloud burst, earning his place as a hero and martyr in Sikh history.

 

His Missions

 

Guru Gobind Singh had expected Emperor Bahadur Shah to keep his word and deliver justice in Punjab by punishing Nawab Wazir Khan, the Governor of Sirhind, and his accomplices., However, when the Emperor failed to take action, the Guru appointed Madho Das Bairagi, along with five Sikhs, to put an end to the Mughal persecution in Punjab.

In a few days, Guru Gobind Singh held a darbar and on September 3, 1708, bestowed the title of Banda Singh Bahadur on Madho Das Bairagi, making him his military lieutenant and granting him full political and military authority as his deputy to lead the campaign against the cruel Mughal administration in Punjab and to punish Nawab Wazir Khan and his supporters.

 

To signify his temporal authority, Banda was given five gold-tipped arrows and a nagara (drum), as well as a Hukamnama (order) written by the Guru ji calling upon the Sikhs to support him. Furthermore, Guru Gobind Singh gifted Banda with his personal sword, green bow, and five arrows from his own quiver. He also presented him with a Nishan Sahib as a symbol of his temporal authority. As an advisory council, Banda was accompanied by five devoted Sikhs known as the Hazuri Singhs.

 

When the Hazuri Singhs arrived in Punjab, their primary task was to reassure the Sikhs that Banda was the Guru's chosen representative and to organize them to join in the campaign against Sirhind. The five Hazuri Singhs included Baj Singh, a descendant of Guru Amar Das ji, accompanied by his brother Ram Singh, Binod Singh, a descendant of Guru Angad Dev ji, and his son Kahan Singh, as well as Fateh Singh.

Banda was assigned twenty-five soldiers to serve as his personal guards, and a Hukumnamah (order) penned by the Guru Gobind Singh ji was issued, calling upon the Sikhs to support Banda Bahadur in his fight against Mughal tyranny. As a symbol of his temporal authority bestowed upon him, the Guru Ji presented Banda Bahadur with his own sword, green bow, five arrows from his quiver, and a Nishan Sahib.

 

Three hundred Sikh horsemen in full battle gear accompanied Banda for a distance of eight kilometers to give him a solemn farewell.

 

Baba Banda Singh’s arrival in Punjab

 

For the first time in Sikh history, the Sikhs became attackers but their goal remained the same. After Guru Gobind Singh passed away, entrusting the eternal Shabad Guru - Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji - with the Sikhs, Banda Singh travelled to Punjab. Upon arriving, he spread Guru's message to the Sikhs in Punjab, Kashmir, and Afghanistan. Memories of the Gurus, their families, and the Sikh community's boundless sacrifices and suffering at the hands of oppressors were still fresh. The news of Guru Gobind Singh's death added to the fire, fueling the Sikhs desire to fight the Mughal rulers and make sacrifices. In response to Guru's call, Sikhs began to join Banda Singh. Within a short period, Banda Singh had 4,000 horse riders and 7,800 artillery Sikhs with him. Eventually, he commanded an army of 40,000 warriors.

 

Banda Singh's army was comprised of four types of people: true followers from Punjab, Kabul, Kandahar, Multan, and Kashmir; God-fearing Muslims who had been with the Guru Gobind Singh Ji during most of the fights; the poor, downtrodden, and low-caste who had always been subject to torture; and some unknown, selfish bad elements with the intention of looting.

 

To meet his financial needs, Banda Singh appealed to the big businessmen of that time. After meeting the basic requirements, he began attacking various towns in February 1709 and won  Samana, Sonepat, Kenthal, Ghurham, Thaskaa, Shahbaad, Kapoor, and Sadhoura of Punjab. Banda Singh's army killed Usmaan Khan, the murderer of Peer Bhudu Shah. Even the people of Sadhoura felt relieved and were grateful to the Sikh army after Usmaan Khan's death. The capture of Malerkotla was effortless as the Nawab had made a passionate appeal against the execution of Guru's two younger sons. Simultaneously, a group of Sikhs from Majha in Central Punjab raided Ropar and adjacent regions and later united with Banda Singh's forces.

 

War of Chhappar Chiri

 

Background and Battle Configuration

The primary objective of the Sikhs was to conquer Sirhind and its ruler, Nawab Wazir Khan. The Battle of Chappar Chiri occurred 20 km from Sirhind. On the Mughal side, Sher Muhammad Khan led the right wing, Wazir Khan led the center, and Suchanand was in charge of the left. The Sikh army was organized into three branches, with Baj Singh Bal leading the right wing, Binod Singh commanding the left wing, and Banda in charge of the center, facing the army of Wazir Khan. The sky rang with Sachcha Padishah, Fateh Darshan, Sat Sri Akal, Akal, Akal, and ya Ali chants.

 

Battle Dynamics and Outcome

Suchanand's forces were quickly defeated by Baj Singh, and the Mughal artillery fire heavily hit Banda's troops. Sher Mohammed Khan was about to defeat Binod Singh's wing when he was killed by a sudden bullet. Wazir Khan rushed upon Banda, who held his ground and fired arrows relentlessly. A bloody battle ensued, and Baj Singh and Binod Singh joined forces with Banda to defeat Wazir Khan.

 

Death of Wazir Khan and Aftermath

The manner of Wazir Khan's death is disputed, with some saying he was struck by a musket ball and others saying he was killed by Baj Singh and Fatah Singh. Sikh took his seat in the deceased's elephant and raised a spear on which Wazir Khan's head was stuck. The Sikhs chased and killed the fleeing Mughal troops, and by nightfall, they reached Sirhind. The city gates were closed, and the Sikhs laid siege to the place, leading to terrible carnage.

 

Siege and Capture of Sirhind
The following day, they forced open the gates and seized the government treasury and movable property worth two crores. Many Muslims saved their lives by embracing Sikhism, and some even changed their names. Banda Bahadur instructed his army not to harm any mosques, madrassas, or graves and ensured the safety of old people, women, and children regardless of their religion. Despite Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi's role in the death of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, even his grave was left intact.

 

Establishment and Governance of Sikh Rule

 

Establishment of Sikh Rule

Banda Singh appointed trusted lieutenants to govern the conquered areas and established his capital at Mukhlis Garh, a secure location between the rivers Jamuna and Ganga. Banda Singh also renamed the fort Loh Garh, repaired it, and even established a mint to produce coins and stamps bearing the names of Guru Nanak Dev ji and Guru Gobind Singh ji, thus founding the Khalsa Kingdom.

 

Expansion and Administration

Banda Singh seized authority over the complete province of Sirhind, comprising twenty-eight paraganha, stretching from Satluj to the Jamuna and from the Shivalik hills to Kunjpura, Karnal to Kaithal, yielding an annual income of 52 lakhs. Baj Singh was appointed as the governor of Sirhind, with Ali Singh as his deputy, and their primary responsibility was to guard against Mughal troops from Lahore and Jammu. Fateh Singh continued to oversee Samana, while Ram Singh, Baj Singh's brother, became the chief of Thanesar. Binod Singh, to guard the road from Delhi, being the revenue minister, was asked to be the administrator of Panipat and Karnal.

 

Banda Singh's Later Years and Challenges

After the Battle of Sarhind, Banda Singh retired to his capital in Lohgarh, marking the start of his era on May 12, 1710. He abolished the zamindari system in the entire province with a single stroke. Banda Singh's growing power made Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah, nervous and furious, traveled north from Deccan with the intention of punishing the Sikhs, and issued instructions to governors in Delhi and Oudh, as well as other officers, to march toward Punjab. They also passed prohibitory laws against Sikhs. Fearing that some Sikhs might have disguised themselves as Hindus and infiltrated the royal camp, Bahadur Shah ordered all Hindu employees of the imperial forces to shave off their beards.

 

Final Struggle and Siege at Gurdas Nangal

 

Emperor Bahadur Shah issued a warrant on December 10, 1710, instructing the faujdars to "kill the worshippers of Nanak, i.e., Sikhs, wherever they are found." Banda Singh was hunted down and forced out of every corner of Punjab, taking refuge in the Shivalik hills. Banda Singh got married to the daughter of one of the hill chiefs and managed to evade the Mughals for several years. He resumed his campaigns against the Mughals and left the hills to venture into the plains of Punjab. However, he was outnumbered by the superior forces of the Mughals and overwhelmed in battle. 

 

To avoid the Mughals, Banda Singh and his army returned to the fort of Loh Garh where they were surrounded by the Mughal army, who cut off their supplies. Banda Singh and his troops fought their way through the Mughal army. 

Bahadur Shah arrived in Lahore in August 1711 and continued his attempts to capture or kill Banda Singh. However, in February 1712, Bahadur Shah passed away due to illness. His sons fought for the throne of Delhi for one year. Taking advantage of the situation, Banda Singh gathered his forces and reconquered Batala, Kalanaur, Sirhind, Muzaffar Nagar, and other areas in 1712. He ruled until 1715. 

 

In February 1713, Farukh Seyer, son of Azimu-Shaan, became the king of Hindustan in Delhi. The political authorities launched severe proceedings against the Sikhs with a fanatical religious zeal. The Sikhs were forced out of the plains of Punjab, and their primary unit, which was led by Banda Singh and consisted of about 4,000 men, was placed under a strict siege at the village of Gurdas Nangal, roughly six kilometers from Gurdaspur. 

The siege continued for eight months. Banda Singh and one of his most trusted advisors, Baba Binod Singh had a disagreement towards the end. Although Binod Singh advised evacuating the fortress, Banda Singh, for unknown reasons, wanted to fight there. Despite Baba Binod Singh's advice to evacuate the fortress, for unknown reasons, Banda Singh wished to fight there.

 

As Binod Singh was older, the difference of views between him and Banda escalated into an open quarrel. Banda ultimately agreed to let Baba Binod Singh and his men leave the fortress. Binod Singh and his supporters charged out of the fortress and escaped.

 

The capture of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

 

By the end of November 1715, the remaining defenders of the fortress were on the brink of starvation, resorting to boiling leaves and bark for survival, and their physical state was reduced to that of mere skeletons. Abdus Samad called out across the separating moat on December 17th, 1715, promising that his men would not harm anyone if Banda opened the gate to the fortress.

However, as soon as Banda ordered the gate to be opened, the Mughals rushed in and viciously attacked the half-dead and helpless defenders, spearing or stabbing as many as three hundred. About 200 were captured alive and handcuffed in pairs.

Banda Singh was chained around his ankles and wrists and imprisoned in an iron cage. The Mughals remained fearful that he might escape, so they positioned guards on each side of the cage with swords drawn. The cage was then placed on top of an elephant, leading a parade through Lahore before proceeding toward Delhi.

Zakaria Khan, the son of the Lahore Governor, assumed control and to present the Emperor with a bigger gift, ordered his men to cut off more Sikh heads on the way and load them onto the carts carrying the 300 prisoners from Gurdas Nangal. The remaining 740 Sikhs, including Banda Singh, were taken to Lahore and then to Delhi.

The journey to the imperial capital was a horrifying sight, with 740 prisoners in heavy chains and seven hundred cartloads of Sikh heads, with another 200 impaled on pikes. On February 26th, 1716, as the procession approached Delhi, Farukh Siyar instructed his Minister Mohammed Amin Khan to receive them and prepare a suitable display in the city.

 

Humiliation of prisoners

 

On February 29th, the people of Delhi gathered in full force along the streets to witness the procession. The march began with 2,000 soldiers, each carrying a Sikh head impaled on their upright spear. Many extra heads had been collected on the way. Next came Banda Singh's elephant, with a gold-laced red turban placed on his head. To further mock him, a brightly printed scarlet shirt was put on his body.

Following the elephant were 740 prisoners, with an additional 500 collected on the way. These men were chained in pairs and carried on the backs of camels. They had their faces blackened and were made to wear pointed caps made of sheepskin or paper. The Mughal Commanders, Mohammed Amin Khan, his son Kamar-ud-Din Khan, and his son-in-law Zakaria Khan, followed behind. The army men lined both sides of the streets.

 

Despite the humiliating circumstances, the faces of the Sikhs showed no signs of dejection or remorse.

In front of the Delhi Gate at Khuni Darwaja, about 700 of Banda Singh's men were beheaded in open and public executions, which continued for seven days at a rate of 100 executions per day in March 1716. Banda Singh and a small group of his companions were kept for questioning. During the three months of interrogation, the Mughals sought information about their war strategies, wealth, and ammunition. Banda Singh distributed all the wealth he acquired among his soldiers and the needy and had only swords, spears, bows, arrows, and daggers as weapons. His army traveled on foot and horses, and they had no elephants or sophisticated weapons.

 

In June 1716, Banda Singh and his 26 remaining companions were taken in a procession through the streets of old Delhi to the grave of Khwaja Kutub-ud-din Bakhitiyar Kaki near Qutub Minar. The 26 Sikhs were beheaded in front of Banda Singh, hoping that he might ask for mercy. However, Banda Singh refused to convert to Islam and accepted death.

 

Execution of Baba Banda singh Bahadur

 

On June 9th, 1716, Banda Singh was subjected to a series of barbarous tortures before he was finally executed. His torture began with the executioner offering him a choice: to convert to Islam or face death. Banda Singh chose death, along with the other Sikhs who were with him. Prior to their execution, the Sikhs were subjected to various tortures. their heads were then impaled on spears and arranged in a circle around Banda Singh, who was sitting on the ground as a witness of all this.

 

Banda Singh's torture continued as he was given a dagger and ordered to cut his own four-year-old son, who was seated on his lap. When Banda Singh refused, the executioner stepped forward and plunged his sword into the child, cutting his body in two. Pieces of the child's body were thrown in Banda's face. His liver was removed and thrust into Banda's mouth.

 

Despite the horrific torture he had already endured, Banda Singh's powers of endurance were to be tested even further. they jagged out Baba ji's flesh with pliers, and hot sharp rods were inserted into his flesh. His eyes were notched out, and his hands and feet were chopped off. When there was nothing else left in their book of torture, his body was cut up into a hundred pieces. It is difficult to imagine the immense pain and suffering that Banda Singh endured during these tortures, which were designed not only to kill him but also to humiliate and break his spirit. Despite this, he remained stoic and strong until the very end.

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a brave warrior and leader of the Sikh community who fought against the oppressive Mughal Empire in the early 18th century. He was a fearless and visionary leader who succeeded in establishing the first independent Sikh state and inspired generations of Sikhs to fight for their rights and freedoms.

Banda Singh's campaigns against the Mughals were marked by intense bravery and military acumen, but his eventual capture and torture by the Mughals serves as a reminder of the harsh and brutal realities of warfare and oppression. Nevertheless, his unwavering commitment to justice and his steadfastness in the face of torture and death are a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

 

His legacy lives on as a symbol of Sikh resistance against oppression and tyranny. His leadership and bravery continue to inspire and motivate the Sikh community, as well as people around the world who admire his courage and determination in the face of adversity.

Overall, Banda Singh Bahadur's life serves as a shining example of the power of faith, resilience, and determination in the pursuit of justice and freedom.

 

 

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