BABA AJIT SINGH G

ajit Singh (26 January 1687–7 December 1705), also referred to with honorifics as Sahibzada Ajit Singh or Baba Ajit Singh, was the eldest son ofGuru Gobind Singh. His younger brothers wereSahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singhand Sahibzada Fateh Singh. He was killed during the Second Battle of Chamkaur.^[1]

Early life[edit]

Ajit Singh was born to Mata Sundari and Guru Gobind Singh at Paonta Sahib on 26 January 1687.^[1] He was brought up in Anandpur, where his education included religious texts, history and philosophy. He received training from Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita) in riding and the martial arts of swordsmanship and archery.

Battles[edit]

The Ranghars of Nuh[edit]

He was given his first military assignment when barely 12 years old. A Muslim tribe, the Ranghars of Nuh, had attacked and looted a Sikh Sangat (congregation) coming from thePothohar region of northwest Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh sent Ajit Singh in command of 100 men to the village, which was a short distance from Anandpur across the River Satluj. Ajit Singh reached the village on 23 May 1699, recovered the looted property and punished the offenders.^[1]

Anandpur and Nirmohgarh[edit]

In 1700 Anandpur was attacked by hill chiefs assisted by troops provided by the Mughalfaujdar of Sirhind. Gobind Singh had erected five Qila (forts) on the outskirts of the city. Ajit Singh, assisted by Bhai Udai Singh, a seasoned soldier, was put in charge of the defence of the Qila Taragarh Sahib. On 29 August the hill chiefs made the fort the target for their first attack, which was successfully repulsed. For four days the chiefs attacked the fortresses around the citadel, without success.^[1]

He also fought valiantly in the Battle of Nirmohgarh (1702). On 15 March 1701, a Sikh Sangat coming from the Darap area (near Sialkot) was waylaid by Gujjars and Ranghars. Sahibzada Ajit Singh led a successful expedition against them.

Restoring a Brahmin's wife[edit]

Battle of Bassi Kalan

In March 1703, Dewki Das, a Brahmin came to Anandpur and requested the Guru to help him in getting back his wife whom Chowdhry Jabar Khan, the chief of Dera Bassi, had taken away forcibly; the Guru asked Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Bhai Udey Singh to help the Brahmin. On the 7th of March 1703, both of them, joined by about one hundred Sikhs, went to Bassi Kalan; they put siege to the village and sent a message to Jabar Khan to return the Brahmin's wife; but Jabar Khan, instead of returning the Brahmin’s wife, asked his soldiers to attack the Sikhs; it was followed by a full-fledged battle, in which Jabar Khan was killed; the Brahmin's wife was restored to him. When this news reached the people, they praised the Sikhs for their role.^[2]

Second Battle of Chamkaur[edit]

When Mughal forces besieged Anandpur in 1704, Sahibzada Ajit Singh again displayed his qualities of courage and steadfastness. After a long stalemate, the Mughal Faujdar gave his assurances that he only wanted the fort of Anandpur and would let the population of the town go unharmed. Anandpur was vacated on the night of 5th and 6 December 1704. Sahibzada Ajit Singh was given the command of the rearguard. As the besiegers, violating their solemn promises, attacked the column, he stoutly engaged them on a hill-feature called Shahi Tibbiuntil he was relieved by Bhai Udai Singh. Ajit Singh crossed the Sarsa rivulet, then in spate, along with his father, younger brother, Jujhar Singh, and some others. Further reduced in numbers by casualties at the hands of pursuing troops from Ropar, the column reached Kotla Nihanga and then proceeded to Chamkaur on the night between 6th and 7 December 1704. There they rested for some hours in the fortress of Budhi Chand Rawat.^[3] But, in the afternoon the Muslim soldiers from Malerkotla and Sirhind reached there, surrounded the fortress, and threw a tight ring around it. The Sikhs too took up position. An unequal but grim battle began. The Sikhs had exhausted the meagre stock of ammunitions and arrows, hence they made sallies in batches of five each to engage the encircling host with sword and spear.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh led one of the sallies and laid down his life fighting in the thick of the battle. Gurdwara Katalgarh now marks the spot where he fell, followed by Sahibzada Jhujhar Singh who led the next sally. An annual fair is held in the commemoration of their martyrdoms in December - January.

Commemoration[edit]

Ajitgarh, one of the largest cities in Punjab lying adjacent to its capital Chandigarh, has been named in the memory of Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Ajitgarh ('Home of Ajit'). It is located in the district of the state which is also named after him Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District.^[4

BHAi SATI DAAS G

Bhai Sati Das (died 1675) along with his elder brother Bhai Mati Das is one of the greatest martyrs in Sikh history. Bhai Sati Das and his elder brother Bhai Mati Das were followers of ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dyal Das were all executed at kotwali(police-station) near the Sunehri Masjid in the Chandni Chowk area ofOld Delhi, under the express orders of emperor Aurangzeb.

Early life[edit]

Bhai Sati Das was a Mohyal Brahmin^[1][2] of theChhibber clan. He belonged to the village of Karyala, a stronghold of the Chhibbers, in theJhelum District in Punjab (Pakistan), about ten kilometres from Chakwal on the road to theKatas Raj Temple Complex. The village stands on the top of the Surla hills. This part of the country is known as Dhani meaning rich. A few kilometres away are the Salt Mines and coal mines of Dandot. The Katas lake is beautiful. Legend connects it to the Mahabharata. It is believed to be the very pool, where the Pandava, Yudhishthira was tested by his father, LordYama/Dharma in the form of a Yaksha. A great Hindu fair used to be held there up to 1947.

Devotion to the Gurus[edit]

Sati Das was the son of Hira Nand, a disciple of Guru Har Gobind, under whom he had fought in many battles. He survived the Guru, and a little before his death he had entrusted his two sons, Mati Das and Sati Das to the care of Guru Har Rai, who had assured the dying man of his full attention and help. Both the lads remained attached to the Guru's family at Kiratpur. When Guru Har Krishan was summoned to Delhi by Aurangzeb, both the brothers, Mati Das and Sati Das, were present in his entourage along with Dyal Das and Gurditta, a descendant of Bhai Budha (different from Baba Gurditta, the son of Guru Hargobind, brother of Guru Teg Bahadur and father of Guru Har Rai).

Guru Tegh Bahadur[edit]

On Guru Har Krishan's death at Delhi, these two brothers were included in the deputation of five men containing Dyal Das and Gurditta to declare the nomination of Teg Bahadur as the ninth Guru at the village of Bakala where the new Guru was then residing. The Guru was pleased to offer the two important portfolios of finance and home departments to Mati Das and Sati Das respectively. Both knew Persian well, and were quite familiar with the working of the Guru's durbar. The departmnent of household affairs was entrusted to Dyal Das.

The two brothers accompanied Guru Teg Bahadur during his journey to Assam. Guru Tegh Bahadur bought a hillock near the village of Makhowal five miles north of Kiratpur and established a new town, which he named as Anandpur (the abode of bliss). Mati Das and Sati Das were present at the foundation of Anandpur. The Guru's council of administration then consisted of Mati Das, Sati Das, Dyal Das and Gurditta. When the Guru was arrested and taken to Delhi, these four persons followed the Guru.

Martyrdom[edit]

Main article: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar

At Delhi, the Guru and his four companions were summoned into the council chamber of theRed Fort. The Guru was asked numerous questions on religion, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. It was suggested to the Guru that he should embrace Islam. On the Guru's emphatic refusal to abjure his faith, he was asked why he was called Teg Bahadur (gladiator or Knight of the Sword; before this, his name had been Tyag Mal). Bhai Mati Das immediately replied that the Guru had won the title by inflicting a heavy blow on the imperial forces at the young age of fourteen. He was reprimanded for his breach of etiquette and outspokenness. As for the Kashmiri Pandits, it was his duty to raise his voice against cruelty and injustice. The Guru and his companions were ordered to be imprisoned and tortured until they agreed to embrace Islam.

After a few days, Guru Teg Bahadur and three of his companions were produced before theQazi of the city. Gurditta had managed to escape. He remained in hiding in the city, and in spite of all the efforts of the Government, he could not be traced. The Qazi turned to Mati Das first and asked him to embrace Islam. He refused to do so. He was condemned to an instantaneous death.

The executioners were called and the Guru and all the three of his companions were made to sit at the place of the execution. After the martyrdom of Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dyal Das, Bhai Sati Das moved towards the Guru with folded hands and asked for his blessings, saying that he was happy to achieve martyrdom.

The Guru blessed him telling that they must resign themselves cheerfully to the will of the Lord. He praised him for his lifelong single-minded devotion to him and his cause. With tears in his eyes, he bade him farewell saying his sacrifice would occupy an abiding place in history. Sati Das touched the Guru's feet, and came to his place.

Bhai Sati Das was wrapped in cotton and set to fire by the executioner. He remained calm and peaceful and kept uttering Waheguru, waheguru-, waheguru-, waheguru, Waheguru.......... Fire consumed his body, his immortal soul remained in peaceful joy. His martyrdom is remembered by the Sikhs in their daily prayers.

Dyal Das and Mati Das[edit]

On the Same day Mati Das, elder brother of Sati Das, was made to stand erect between two posts and double headed saw was placed on his head and moved across from head to the loins. Seeing this Dyal Das abused the Emperor and his courtiers for this infernal act. He was tied up like a round bundle and thrown into a huge cauldron of boiling oil. He was roasted alive into a block of charcoal. The Guru witnessed all this savagery with divine calm.

Guru Teg Bahadur's Martyrdom[edit]

Mati Das, Dyal Das and Sati Das were tortured and executed on three consecutive days.

Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded by an executioner called Jalal-ud-din Jallad, who belonged to the town of Samana in present-day Haryana. The spot of the execution was under a banyan tree (the trunk of the tree and well near-by where he took a bath are still preserved), opposite the Sunheri Masjid near the Kotwali in Chandni Chowk where he was lodged as a prisoner, on November 11, 1675.

His head was carried by Bhai Jaita, a disciple of the Guru, to Anandpur where the nine-year-old Guru Gobind Singh cremated it(The gurdwara at this spot is also called Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib).The body, before it could be quartered, was stolen under the cover of darkness by Lakhi Shah Vanjara, another disciple who carried it in a cart of hay and cremated it by burning his hut. At this spot, the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib stands today. Later on, theGurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, was built at Chandni Chowk at the site of Guru’s martyrdom.

Legacy[edit]

In recognition of the devotion and supreme sacrifice made by Mati Das, Guru Teg Bahadur bestowed the title of Bhai on him. In course of time, all Chhibbers belonging to the village of Karyala adopted this title.

Bhai Mati Das Ji

Bhai Mati Das

Bhai Mati Das came from a Brahman family of village Kariala in the district of Jhelum (Pakistan). He was the eldest son of Bhai Praga. His grandfather, Mahatma Gautam Das, used to be a deeply religious man of noble, saintly character. He was loved and respected by all, Hindus and Muslims alike. Bhai Praga was a strong stalwart. He had the body and the strength of a giant. He embraced the Sikh faith during Guru Har Gobind's time. He lived the life of a true Sikh. His life was a model for others. He was a prominent saint-soldier of Guru Har Gobind's. He took a hero's part in Guru Har Gobind's battle. He had four sons: Bhai Mati Das, Sati Das, Jati Das and Sakhi Das. Bhai Mati Das was a strongly built as his father, Bhai Praga. He was a dear, devout disciple of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He actually practiced what he believed and professed. Guru Tegh Bahadur made him his diwan. He had to look after the income and expenditure of the Guru's darbar.

    Along with the Guru, Bhai Mati Das was also arrested, chained and imprisoned. Under Emperor Aurangzeb's orders, Guru Tegh Bahadur was to be beheaded. The qazis decided to torture and kill the Guru's companions before his eyes. They thought, 'The sight of their suffering and fate might shake his resolve. He might be inclined to save himself be agreeing to our proposal. He might embrace Islam.' So they picked out Bhai Mati Das first of all. He was led out in chains to Chandani Chowk under a heavy guard. He was calm. His face beamed with glory. His gait was a mighty hero's swagger. He walked like a superior among inferiors. His whole bearing showed wonderful self-confidence and self-satisfaction. A large crowd had gathered already in Chandani Chowk. Bhai Mati Das was brought there under a heavy guard. A number of qazis accompanied him. They were apparently saying something to him. But he neither listened nor heard. His mind was wholly fixed on God. He was eager to meet him. No eyes were dry. All observers were filled with reverence and admiration for that tall, strong, calm, and holy man of God. They shuddered at the thought of what was about to happen to him.

    The spot fixed for his execution was reached. The guard and the qazis halted, with Bhai Mati Das in their midst. The chief Qazi then said to Bhai Mati Das, 'O brave young man, be wise. This is my last appeal to your common-sense. Why throw away your youthful life and all the joys it may bring ? Accept Islam, and be one of the ruling class. You will have wealth and high position. You will enjoy a life of peace, plenty and pleasure. When you die, prophet Mohammad will receive you among the faithful. You will be led into Paradise. You will live there forever among pleasure of all kinds. If you refuse to accept all these good things of this world and the next, you will be killed with torture. So be wise. Make a wise choice.' Bhai Mati Das replied, 'Why waste your time and breath ? I prefer dying to giving up my faith. Be quick.' The Qazi said, 'All right, let it be as you desire. But have you any last wish which you would like to be fulfilled before you are killed ?'

    Bhai Mati Das said, 'Yes. Stand me with my face toward my Guru. In that way I shall behold him to the last moments of my life here.' His wish was granted. He was made to stand with his face toward the Guru. He was tightly tied between two erect flat logs of wood. A saw was placed on his head. Each end of it was held by a fierce looking Pathan. The saw began to move to and fro. Blood began to flow down Bhai Mati Das's face and neck. He did not utter any cry of pain. His face showed no sign of suffering. He was calmly repeating Japji. His body was sawn into two. His devout, brave soul reached the bosom of the kind and loving Father of all. Bhai Mati Das has not died. He still lives in the hearts of those who worship goodness, who admire nobility. He lives in the minds of those who lead a spiritual life. He is the inspiration of those who prefer the soul to the body; who, in order to save their soul, to keep in pure and unsullied, would gladly sacrifice the body and all its pleasures. He is the motivation of those who place duty before self. He is the hero of all who work for noble objectives, not for rewards or recognition.

BHAI DAYALA G

Bhai Dyala ji (died 1675) variously spelt as Bhai Dayala, Bhai Diala, (Punjabi: ਭਾਈ ਦਿਆਲਾ ਜੀ,Hindi: भाई दयाला जी), was one of the earliestmartyrs to the Sikh faith. Along with his companions Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Sati Das as well as Ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Bhai Dayala was killed at Chandni Chowk at Delhi in November 1675.

Ethnicity of Bhai Dayala Ji[edit]

Dullat Jat[edit]

According to one version, Bhai Dayala belonged to Dullat family of Chaudhury Bika Dullat (Jatt). He is said to have been a real brother of Bhai Mani Singh Dullat from village Kambowal, now Longowal, in Alipur, Multan, now Pakistan District of Punjab whom Giani Gian Singh Dullat has connected with Bhai Mani Singh .^[1]

Punwar Rajput[edit]

According to another claim which is solely based on the Bhat Vahis ^[2] Bhai Dayala was son of Mai Das and an elder brother of Bhai Mani Ram of Punwar) Rajput lineage from villageAlipore, Multan, now in Pakistan.^[3][4]

Kamboj[edit]

According to Satbir Singh, Bhai Dayala was the brother of Bhai Mani Singh and belonged to village Kakaru in District Ambala, now in Haryana. The village is commonly called "Theh".^[5]But according to Harbans Singh Thind, Bhai Dayala was born in village Kalhe in Majha-des,District AMRITSAR, Tehsil Tarn Taran in a family of Kamboh farmers. The village Kalha adjoins village Kang and is located few miles east of Tarn Taran. His father Lall Chand was from Mutti clan of the Kamboj. His mother’s name was Chandika.^[6] Sher Singh Sher writes that Bhai Dayala ji belonged to the Kambo or Kamboh caste and was a paternal uncle of Bhai Mani Singh .^[7] Another research scholar S Kirpal Singh states that Bhai Dayala was Kambojbut does not give any further information about his family or his village.^[8] A likely scenario is that Bhai Dayala belonged to those families of Kambohs which had earlier moved from Kambohwal (now Longowal) and had settled at Anandpur in the service of the Gurughar during the times of ninth Guru.^[9]

Death[edit]

Bhai Dayala was one of the Sikhs who accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur when the latter leftAnandpur for Delhi on 11 July 1675, the other two were brothers---Bhai Mati Das, a Dewan and Bhai Sati Das, a Scribe at Guru’s court. Along with the Ninth Guru, they were arrested on orders of Emperor Aurangzeb at Agra. On 9 November 1675 A.D he was put into a bigcauldron full of water which was later heated to the boiling point. It is said that in the end all of his skin was peeled off the bones in boiling water and he died.

See also[edit]

• Bhai Mati Das
• Bhai Sati Das
• Guru Tegh Bahadar

References[edit]

1. Jump up^ This clue about Bhai Dayala was arbitrarily drawn by someone from Longowal based on the erroneous information provided by Giani Gian Singh in the first edition of his Panth Parkash(published 1874 AD) where Giani ji erroneously stated that Bhai Mani Singh Dullat was son of Chaudhury BIKA DULLAT and had four brothers including one named Nagahya (whom he states as a noted Daku or Brigand i.e bidit dakait). But Giani Gian Singh nowhere stated that Bhai Dayala was one of the FIVE sons of Chaudhury Bika Dullat or that he (Bhai Dayala) was a brother of Bhai Mani Singh Dullat (See: Panth Parkash, First Edition, Bisram 43, Gian Singh Longowal). In later editions of his Panth Parkash, Giani Gian Singh however, writes that Bhai Mani Singh Dullat had only ONE elder brother Bhai Nagahya Dullat (whom he now states as a Bhagat or a religious person i.e subhat udaar bhagat) and that the name of their father was Chaudhury KALA DULLAT (Panth Parkash, Vibhag, 1987, p 1317, Giani Gian Singh). Thus, the claim that Bhai Dayala was real brother of Bhai Mani Singh Dullat and hailed from Kambowal (now Longowal) automatically gets negated by Giani Gian Singh’s own writings of his later editions. Hence, there is no truth in the claim that Bhai Dayala was a Dullat Jatt and elder (or younger) brother of so-called Bhai Mani Singh Dullat. It is also important to make a note as how Giani Gian Singh ji goes on changing his own statements about the basic parameters of his own ancestors. And there are numerous inconsistencies in his writings about his own ancestral family. It goes to prove that Giani Gian Singh ji is not sure of what he is saying. This adds enough elements of doubt to his professed claim.
2. Jump up^ Dr Harbans Singh (Ed), The Encyclopedia of Sikhism, Vol IV, Punjabi University, Patiala, 1998, pp 95-96; Identity of Bhai Mani Singh Shahid, Article Published in Punjab History Conference, 22nd Session, March 25–27, 1988, Part I, Proceedings, Punjabi University Patiala, 1989, p 80-81, Prof Gurmukh Singh; Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed, 2004, pp 57 sqq., Kirpal Singh Dardi; The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, pp 255-267
3. Jump up^ Shaheed Bilaas, Bhai Mani Singh, 1961, 25, 26, 105, Giani Garja Singh
4. Jump up^ Giani Garja Singh's claim on Bhai Dayala as a Punwar Rajput is allegedly based on Bhat Vahi Multani Sindh and Panda Vahis of Hardwar (See: Shaheed Bilaas, Bhai Mani Singh, 1961, Garja Singh). S. Kirpal Singh especially visited Hardwar and spent several days to personally review, examine and verify the contents of the Panda Vahis relating to Giani Garja Singh's family. S. Kirpal Singh reports that there are dubious entries as well as discrepancies in chronology, as also there are indications of tempering-with the "Panda Vahis" at Hardwar in respect of Giani Garja Singh's family (See: Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed, 2005, pp 61-64, Kirpal Singh). S. Kirpal Singh has further found that the Panda Vahis at Haridwar can very easily be got manipulated or tempered with, through these Haridwar Pandas, by any one at any time, and are therefore, by no means, a trustworthy and scientific source of reliable information. Similar arguments may also apply to the Bhat Vahi Multani Sindhi and others Vahis which Garja Singh or his supporters like Piara Singh Padam, Dr Piar Singh or Rattan Singh Jaggi etc depend on, to prove their case. According to S Kirpal Singh, like the controversial letter supposedly written by Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed to Mata Sundri ji, the poetic composition "Shaheed Bilaas" (supposedly authored by Kavi Sewa Singh Bhat in 1802 and edited by Giani Garja Singh in 1961), is also a clear-cut case of forged documentation, fabricated during the first half of 20th century by some interested party with ulterior motives to transmutate Bhai Mani Ram Rajput into Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed. The new research & information furnished by S Kirpal Singh very much negates the claims of Giani Garja Singh and his supporters on Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed and Bhai Dayala ji Shaheed.
5. Jump up^ Saada Itihaas, Bhaag 2, p 154
6. Jump up^ Kamboj Itihaas, 1973, p 122-123, Harbans Singh Thind
7. Jump up^ Glimpses of Sikhism and Sikhs, 1982, p 207, Sher Singh Sher
8. Jump up^ The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, p. 248, Kirpal Singh; Also see: These Kamboj People, 1979, p. 218
9. Jump up^ According to Karam Singh Historian, in the wake of Anandpur disaster when Bhai Mani Singhhad escorted the wife (Mehil) of Tenth Guru ji to Delhi, they were also accompanied by someKamboh families including that of Bhai Shihan Singh Kambo of Sunam (See: Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh, (a research book), 2004, p 143 fn 34, p 141, fn 9, p 100, fn 23, S. Kirpal Singh). It appears highly likely that these Kamboh families originally belonged to Kambohwal and had moved to Anandpur in the service of Gurughar and permanently stayed with ninth Guru ji. Bhai Dayala Ji and Bhai Mani Singh, to all probability, also belonged to these families of the Kamboh lineage. Karam Singh Historian had recommended further research on these Kamboh families

BHAI MATI DAAS G

Bhai Mati Das(Punjabi: ਭਾਈ ਮਤੀ ਦਾਸ), a sikh disciple is one of the greatest martyrs in Sikhhistory. He along with his younger brother Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyal Das, all disciples of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621–1675), were executed along with him at theKotwali(police-station) near the Sunehri Masjid in the Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi, under the express orders of emperor Aurangzeb.

arly life[edit]

Bhai Mati das belonged to the village of Karyala, a stronghold of the Chhibbers, in the Jhelum District in Punjab (Pakistan), about ten kilometres from Chakwal on the road to the Katas Raj Temple Complex. The village stands on the top of the Surla hills. This part of the country is known as Dhanimeaning rich. A few kilometres away are the Salt Mines and Coal Mines of Dandot. The Katas lake is beautiful. Legend connects it to the Mahabharata. It is believed to be the very pool where the Pandava, Yudhishthira was tested by his father, Lord Yama/Dharma in the form of a Yaksha. A great Hindu fair used to be held there up to 1947.

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Bhai Mati Das was a member of the Chhiber Brahmin family but he resided in Kaimbowal village (now Longowal in Sangrur District, Punjab). Longowal is a Nanka village and birthplace of Bhai Mati Das. He was related to Vashists of the family Longowal, Bhai Diyal Das, Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Jati Das and Bhai Bal Mukand (brother of Bhai Mati Dass). A school in Longowal has been named in the memory of Bhai Mati Das (Bhai Mati Das Govt Sr. Sec. School, Longowal)and another school, also in Longowal village, has been established in the memory of Bhai Diyal Das by the S.G.P.C (Bhai Diyala Ji Public School).

Devotion to the Gurus[edit]

Mati Das was the son of Hira Nand(Punjabi Brahmin), a disciple of Guru Har Gobind, under whom he had fought in many battles. He survived the Guru, and a little before his death he had entrusted his two sons, Mati Das and Sati Das to the care of Guru Har Rai, who had assured the dying man of his full attention and help. Both the lads remained attached to the Guru's family at Kiratpur. When Guru Har Krishan was summoned to Delhi by Aurangzeb, both the brothers, Mati Das and Sati Das, were present in his entourage along with Dyal Das.

Guru Tegh Bahadur[edit]

On Guru Har Krishan's death at Delhi, these two brothers were included in the deputation of five men containing Dyal Das and Gurditta to declare the nomination of Teg Bahadur as the ninth Guru at the village of Bakala where the new Guru was then residing. The Guru was pleased to offer the two important portfolios of finance and home departments to Mati Das and Sati Das respectively. Both knew Persian well, and were quite familiar with the working of the Guru's durbar. The departmnent of household affairs was entrusted to Dyal Das.

The two brothers accompanied Guru Teg Bahadur during his journey to Assam. Guru Tegh Bahadur bought a hillock near the village of Makhowal five miles north of Kiratpur and established a new town, which he named as Anandpur (the abode of bliss). Mati Das and Sati Das were present at the foundation of Anandpur. The Guru's council of administration then consisted of Mati Das, Sati Das, Dyal Das. When the Guru was arrested and taken to Delhi, these four persons followed the Guru.

Martyrdom[edit]

Main article: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur

At Delhi, the Guru and his four companions were summoned into the council chamber of theRed Fort. The Guru was asked numerous questions on religion, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. It was suggested to the Guru that he should embrace Islam. On the Guru's emphatic refusal to abjure his faith, he was asked why he was called Teg Bahadur (gladiator or Knight of the Sword; before this, his name had been Tyag Mal). Bhai Mati Das immediately replied that the Guru had won the title by inflicting a heavy blow on the imperial forces at the young age of fourteen. He was reprimanded for his breach of etiquette and outspokenness. As Mati Das was a Brahmin, the Guru was asked why he had courted the company of such men when he did not believe in caste, and why he was defending the Brahmins of Kashmir. The Guru replied that when a person becomes a Sikh, he loses his caste. As for the Kashmiri Pandits, it was his duty to raise his voice against cruelty and injustice. The Guru and his companions were ordered to be imprisoned and tortured until they agreed to embrace Islam.

After a few days, Guru Teg Bahadur and three of his companions were produced before theQazi of the city. The Qazi turned to Mati Das first and asked him to embrace Islam. He refused to do so. He was condemned to an instantaneous death.

The executioners were called and the Guru and all the three of his companions were made to sit at the place of the execution. Bhai Mati Das approached the Guru with folded hands and asked for his blessings, saying that he was happy to be the first to achieve martyrdom.

The Guru blessed him telling that they must resign themselves cheerfully to the will of the Lord. He praised him for his lifelong single-minded devotion to him and his cause. With tears in his eyes, he bade him farewell saying his sacrifice would occupy an abiding place in history. Mati Das touched the Guru's feet, embraced his friend and brother, and came to his place.

Mati Das while standing erect was tied between two posts. He was asked if he had any parting words, to which Mati Das answered, "I request only that my head be turned toward my Guru as I am executed." Two executioners placed a double-handed saw on his head. Mati Das serenely uttered "Ek Onkar" and started reciting the Japji Sahib, the great morning prayer of the Sikhs. He was sawn across from head to loins. It is said that even as the body was being sawn into two, the Japji continued to reverberate from each part until it was all over.

Dyal Das and Sati Das[edit]

Dyal Das abused the Emperor and his courtiers for this infernal act. He was tied up like a round bundle and thrown into a huge cauldron of boiling oil. He was roasted alive into a block of charcoal. Sati Das condemned these brutalities. He was wrapped in cotton and set to fire. The Guru witnessed all this savagery with divine calm.

Guru Teg Bahadur's Martyrdom[edit]

Mati Das, Dyal Das and Sati Das were tortured and executed on three consecutive days.

Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded by an executioner called Jalal-ud-din Jallad, who belonged to the town of Samana in present-day Haryana. The spot of the execution was under a banyan tree (the trunk of the tree and well near-by where he took a bath are still preserved), opposite the Sunheri Masjid near the Kotwali in Chandni Chowk where he was lodged as a prisoner, on November 11, 1675.

His head was carried by Bhai Jaita, a disciple of the Guru, to Anandpur where the nine-year-old Guru Gobind Singh cremated it(The gurdwara at this spot is also called Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib).The body, before it could be quartered, was stolen under the cover of darkness by Lakhi Shah Vanjara, another disciple who carried it in a cart of hay and cremated it by burning his hut. At this spot, the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib stands today. Later on, theGurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, was built at Chandni Chowk at the site of Guru’s martyrdom.

Bhai Mati Das' legacy[edit]

In recognition of the devotion and supreme sacrifice made by Mati Das, Guru Teg Bahadur bestowed the title of Bhai on him. In course of time, all Chhibbers belonging to the village of Karyala adopted this title.

Bhai Mati Das occupies a premier position in the pantheon of Sikh martyrs.