A Saint-Warrior of the Sikh Faith
Baba Deep Singh Ji (1682–1757) was a revered Sikh warrior and scholar who sacrificed his life defending the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) against Afghan invaders. He is remembered for his unmatched bravery and spiritual devotion.
He met Guru Gobind Singh Ji at the age of 12 in Anandpur Sahib. He was trained in Gurmukhi, Sikh scriptures, and martial arts. He helped scribe copies of Guru Granth Sahib and was appointed the head of Damdami Taksal.
Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji was born on January 20, 1682, in the village of Pahuwind, district Amritsar. His father’s name was Bhai Bhagtu Ji. At the age of 12, Baba Deep Singh Ji went with his parents to Anandpur Sahib to meet Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru.
They stayed at Sri Anandpur Sahib for several days, doing sevaa (service) with the Sangat. When his parents were ready to return to their village, Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked Baba Deep Singh Ji to stay with him. He humbly accepted Guru Ji’s command and began serving him.
From Bhai Mani Singh Ji Baba Ji began learning reading and writing Gurmukhi and santhiyaa (exegesis) of Gurbaani. As well as Gurmukhi he learnt several other languages. Guru Gobind Singh Ji also taught him horseback riding, hunting and Shastar-vidiyaa (weaponry).
At the age of 18, on the Vaisakhi of 1700, he received the blessing of Khande-di-pahul (Amrit) from the Guru-roop Panj Piyaare. As an Amritdhari Sikh, Baba Deep Singh Ji took an oath to serve in Akaal Purakh’s Fauj (the Almighty’s army) and that following the way of the Khalsa one is to always help the weak and needy, and to fight for truth and justice.
Baba Deep Singh Ji soon became one of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s most beloved Sikhs.
Baba Deep Singh Ji stayed in Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s service for about 8 years. At Guru Ji’s request, he returned to his village to help his parents and he got married. Guru Gobind Singh Ji met Baba Deep Singh Ji at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo in 1705. Here, he learned that two of the Guru’ sons, Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, had become Shaheed (martyred) in the battle of Chamkaur Sahib.
Guru Ji also told him that his two younger sons, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, were cold-heartedly bricked alive and attained Shaheedi (martyrdom) at Sirhind under the orders of the governor Wazir Khan.
In 1706, Guru Gobind Singh Ji placed Baba Deep Singh Ji in charge at Sri Damdama Sahib, while Bhai Mani Singh Ji was made Head Granthi of Sri Harmander Sahib in Amritsar. After Guru Sahib left for Delhi, he took up the duty of preparing copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and carried on the sewa blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji of managing this Sikh Centre.
‘Taksaal’ means a minting factory. Sri Damdama Sahib, had become a factory where Sikhs would come to mint and prepare their shastars (weapons), as well as mint their minds and enshrine Gurbaani within their hearts through learning the correct pronunciation and grammar of reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. As a result this centre of education and weaponry was known as ‘Damdami Taksaal’.
Baba Deep Singh Ji spent many years at Sri Damdama Sahib preaching Sikh values and teachings and doing sevaa of the Sangat. He was always ready to serve those in need and to fight for justice.
In 1709, Baba Ji joined Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadar in punishing the tyrants of Sadhaura and Sirhind. In 1733 Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji, the commander of the Khalsa forces, appointed Baba Ji as the leader of one of the jathas (groups) of Dal Khalsa.
On Vaisakhi day of 1748, when Dal Khalsa was reorganised into twelve misls, he was entrusted with the leadership of Shaheedaa(n) di Misl.
In April 1757, Ahmed Shah Abdali’s army desecrated Gurdwaré and filled sarovars with debris and alcohol. Baba Deep Singh Ji, upon hearing this beadbi, told the Sangat, “Diwali will be celebrated at Amritsar this year.”
He performed an Ardaas: “May my head fall at Sri Harmandar Sahib.”
At age 75, Baba Ji led thousands of Singhs toward Amritsar. Near Taran Taaran, he drew a line with his Khanda and asked only those ready to die for the Guru to cross. They all crossed.
A fierce battle occurred near Gohalwarh. Baba Ji’s head was severed in combat by Attal Khan. Reminded of his Ardaas, Baba Ji held his head in one hand and continued fighting with his 14kg sword until he reached Sri Harmandar Sahib, where he attained martyrdom.
The Diwali of 1757 was celebrated at Sri Harmandar Sahib. The spot where his head fell is still marked and revered by Sikhs, reminding all of the ultimate sacrifice made for the faith.
Baba Deep Singh Ji is a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and spiritual devotion. He founded the Shaheed Misl and died in the battlefield upholding Sikh values. His legendary final battle, where he fought with his head nearly severed, remains an iconic story of martyrdom.