01/27/2025
Who was Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Jee Shaheed?
What are his contributions to Sikhi?
Why was he a Zinda Shaheed, a Living Martyr?
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First leader of ‘Shaheed Misl’ and ‘Taksaal’, brave and determined 75 year old Sikh General Baba Deep Singh Jee sacrificed himself in order to avenge the desecration of Shree Harmandar Sahib.
He was born on 26 January 1682 to mother Jioni Jee and father Bhagta Jee at village Pahuwind, in present district Taran Taaran, Punjab, India. He was named Deep. Following the footsteps of his family and elders he too was inclined towards Gurbani and Simran since childhood.
When Guru Gobind Singh Jee founded the ‘Khalsa’ in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, his family also reached there to get the ‘Amrit’. When the family decided to return, Gurujee asked Deep Singh to stay at Anandpur Sahib. Deep Singh was 18.
He started serving in the Langar and learning as well as teaching Gurbani. He also learnt Sanskrit and Farsi along with horseback riding and weaponry from Bhai Mani Singh Jee. He stayed there till 1704.
After the Battle of Mukatsar (Khidrana), Guru Gobind Singh Jee reached Sabo Kee Talwandi. Here Gurujee started the work of writing the Adi Granth. Gurujee would recite the Baani and Bhai Mani Singh Jee wrote and Baba Deep Singh Jee was tasked with preparing the dip-pens and ink.
Before leaving Talwandi, Gurujee asked Baba Deep Singh Jee to stay there and write more copies of Adi Granth Sahib and promoting the Gurbani. He wrote four more copies and one in Arabic.
Between 1708 and 1715 Baba Deep Singh Jee participated valiantly in Baba Banda Singh Bahadar’s campaigns to end the Mughal Raj and crush Sirhind. He was awarded the title of “Zinda Shaheed” by Baba Banda Singh Bahadar.
He was also appointed as the Chief of Shaheed Misl, when Sikhs were organised into 12 Misls in 18th century.
In 1757 when Ahmad Shah Abdali looted Delhi and was on his way back, Baba Deep Singh Jee and his 500 horsemen accompanied Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and his forces, and attacked Abdali’s army near Thanesar, rescued enslaved women and took away his loot. Other Sikh Misls followed Abdali till Attari and he escaped with his life.
Scared, defeated and arrogant Abdali ordered his son, Taimur, the Governor of Lahore to finish the Sikhs from this earth. Taimur’s deputy Jahan Khan, in May 1757, led an assault on Amritsar, during which the Harmandar Sahib was desecrated, the Akal Takht was damaged, and the sacred Sarovar (holy tank) was filled with debris.
When this news reached Baba Deep Singh Jee, he appointed Bhai Masada Singh as head of Damdama Sahib and moved towards Amritsar with his Shaheed Misl of about 500. Other Sikhs joined him and the strength grew to 5000 and then to 10000.
He prayed to Shree Guru Arjan Dev Jee and pledged that he would attain martyrdom only after reaching Harmandar Sahib. His trust in Guru was absolute and he had no doubt in fulfilment of his pledge.
After reaching Taran Taaran Baba Jee drew a line with his 15 Kgs Double Edged Khanda and announced that only those accompanying him should cross it who are ready for Martyrdom and others should go back to their families. Not even a single Sikh hesitated and each crossed the line to move ahead with Baba Jee.
The Sikhs met with the enemy at Gohlwar and attacked very valiantly. At one point the enemy forces began to retreat but received reinforcements from Lahore. Many of their Generals were killed by the Sikh Warriors.
One of their generals, Jamal Khan challenged Baba Deep Singh Jee, who was slaying the enemy soldiers in huge numbers. The 75 years old Baba Deep Singh Jee accepted this challenge from a warrior half his age. While fighting one on one, they raised their weapons on each other and in a single instant both severed each other’s head.
Jamal Khan fell but Baba Jee was reminded of his pledge by a nearby Sikh. Baba jee recovered, held his head in his left hand and with his Khanda in his right, started moving towards Harmandar Sahib cutting through the enemy forces. This scene sent shivers through the enemy and they retreated in big numbers.
Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Jee reached the Parkarma of Harmandar Sahib and presented his head attaining martyrdom. His last battle inspires Sikhs to maintain the sanctity of their religious places, and also to have absolute faith in the Guru, Shree Guru Granth Sahib Jee.
Facts From: Sankhep Jiwan Baba Deep Singh Ji by Mukhtar Singh Goraya
Who was Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Jee Shaheed?What are his contributions to Sikhi?Why was he a Zinda Shaheed, a Living Martyr?Subscribe Ajj Punjab, to help us ...
