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Bhai Jai Singh ‘Khalkaat’ was a honest hard working Sikh living in the village of Mughalmajra about 5km on the Patiala to Sirhind Road. He was a loving humble Rehitvaan Gursikh and had great love for the Guru. One day in 1753 Bhai Jai Singh jee was doing Naam Abhyaas (Practising the Divine-Name) in the […]

Bhai Jai Singh ‘Khalkaat’ was a honest hard working Sikh living in the village of Mughalmajra about 5km on the Patiala to Sirhind Road.

He was a loving humble Rehitvaan Gursikh and had great love for the Guru. One day in 1753 Bhai Jai Singh jee was doing Naam Abhyaas (Practising the Divine-Name) in the fields when Muslim Governor Abdul Samund Khan passed by. Bhai Jai Singh jee didn’t get up or salute Samund Khan as he was not even aware of his presence. His Second in Command kicked him awake and ordered him, “Wake up! Carry the Nawaab’s baggage!” At that time such free labour was conscripted to carry baggage from one village to another.

Bhai Jai Singh jee replied, “Can you please tell me what is in the bag that you have asked me to carry?” Bhai Sahib suspected from the smell that it might be hooka and tobacco. The Mughal admitted that it was indeed tobacco and hukka of the Nawaab. Bhai Jai Singh jee refused point blank to touch the bag and said, “It is my Guru’s Hukam (order) that I cannot touch the tobacco, let alone carry the bag containing it.”

Bhai Sahib was dragged to the nearest tree and his feet were tied to the branches, with his body hanging downwards. Using sharp blades they peeled off the skin from Bhai Sahib’s entire body, starting from the feet. Within minutes his whole body and the ground become red with blood. All along this barbaric torture Bhai Sahib was repeating “Vaheguru… Vaheguru…. Vaheguru…”, with his surtee (consciousness) in Akaal Purkh.

After Bhai Sahib’s martyrdom, the Nawaab order for Bhai Sahib’s wife, Mata Dhan Kaur, his sons Karaka Singh and Kharak Singh, and daughter-in-law Bibi Raj Kaur, to be mercilessly killed. Bhai Jai Singh and his entire family attained Shaheedi (martyrdom) maintaining Sikhi and Rehat. When the Khalsa heard of this great tragedy they attacked the village of Mughalmajra and attacked the barbaric Mughals.

Today in the village Baran stands a Gurdwara in memory of this forgotten sacrifice.

~ The Sakhi of Bhai Jai Singh by Manvir Singh Published on Manvir Singh Blog