Contemporary and Original records
by
Ganda Singh
At very young age Baba Banda Singh who previously was Lachman Dev had a life altering experience. This occurred after he killed the female deer that he was hunting. On closer inspection of his kill, Lachman Dev noticed that this deer was pregnant. He became very saddened and realized the great sins that he has been committing. Consequently Lachman Das left his house and joined a group of Hindu saints. One of the Hindu saints changed Lachman Das’s name to Madho Das. He spent many years in meditation with these Hindu saints. Later he met Guru Gobind Singh Ji, after this encounter he gave up his Hindu way of life and adopted the Sikh faith. He was given Amrit by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his name was changed to Banda Singh. Guru Ji gave his weapons to Banda Singh and ordered him to go to Punjab and establish Khalsa Raj while obtaining justice for all regardless of their faith.
Baba Banda Singh upon reaching Punjab punished Suba Sarhind Wazir Khan, who ordered the brutal heartless execution of Guru Sahib’s youngest sons. Baba Ji went on to conquer Sarhind with his mighty Khalsa Army. He was not only the first Sikh but the first human being ever to take over Sarhind. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India nine times but not once did he ever dare to attack Sarhind. The Fort of Sarhind was considered “invincible” due to having “unbreakable” walls. Baba Banda Singh was the first Sikh to established Khalsa Raj (Sikh rule) in Punjab. He minted currency in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Even the Pathans started requesting him that they be enlisted in the Sikh army. People of other areas would write to Banda Singh pleading with him to invade and take over their areas, as they had heard that all person regardless their caste, creed or color felt the glow of freedom under Khalsa Raj (Sikh Rule). Khalsa Raj was welcomed by all.
After eight years of rule and seven months of war Baba Banda Singh was captured alive along with 200 Sikhs. After seven months of battle only 200 Sikhs were captured. The Mughal army considered this a big embarrassment as a small force had not only gained victory over one of their strongest holdouts but fought and held back the complete might of the imperial army for 7 months. Consequently the order was given that all Sikhs be hunted down and killed. Mughal forces began a campaign of arresting and killing every Sikh that they could find. About 35,000 Sikhs were killed during this period and their heads were loaded on the carts headed to Delhi. Two thousand heads of Sikh men, young and old were hung on spears and 700 Sikhs were kept alive. This march of death went to its final destination of Delhi. Leaders of the Mughal Empire ordered that 100 Sikhs should be beheaded daily. Baba Banda Singh’s son’s heart was taken out, which the cruel butchers tried to force into the mouth of Baba Bandha Singh. Not being able to accomplish this horrendous act of savagery they threw his son’s guts all over him, in a futile attempt to break his Sikhi Spirit at last, his turn came and he was martyred in a very cruel manner. For his unparalleled feats of bravery people gave him the title of “Bahadur” or brave. Today Sikhs proudly and respectfully refer to their hero as Baba Bandha Singh Ji “Bahadur”. [1]
1 - ww.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Sikhi_%26_RSS
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