Brief history of martyrdom of Shaheed Baba Jai Singh Ji Khalkat and his family
Surah is so recognizable that it is for the sake of religion. “Even if cut into pieces, they will never leave the battlefield
The martyrdom of Shaheed Baba Jai Singh Ji Khalkat and his family is a deeply revered story of sacrifice and steadfastness in the Sikh faith. In the year Samat 1810 (1753 AD), Nawab Abdus Samad Khan of Sirhind was traveling with his army from Sirhind to Patiala. When he reached the village of Mughal Majra (Baran), he ordered his soldiers to bring any Singh they encountered to him.
At that time, Baba Jai Singh Ji was bathing at a well. The soldiers captured him and presented him before Nawab Abdus Samad Khan. The Nawab sarcastically remarked that it was fortunate for them to pass by Baba Jai Singh Ji and questioned why he did not salute them. Baba Ji calmly explained that he was unaware of their passing, as he was engaged in the remembrance of the Guru (Gurucharan).
Proudly, the Subedar ordered Baba Jai Singh Ji to carry the Nawab’s belongings to Patiala. When Baba Ji inquired about the contents, the soldiers informed him that the load contained the Nawab’s hookah. Baba Jai Singh Ji refused to bear the burden of the hookah, as it was against his principles as an Amritdhari Singh.
The Nawab, enraged by this defiance, summoned Baba Jai Singh Ji’s wife, Mata Dhan Kaur, his sons, Bhai Kharak Singh and Bhai Sher Singh, and his mother, Mata Amar Kaur. He demanded that they carry the burden, but they all refused, asserting their faith and commitment to their principles.
Insulted by their refusal, the Nawab ordered the brutal execution of Baba Jai Singh Ji’s entire family in front of him. Baba Jai Singh Ji himself was martyred in a gruesome mannerโhe was tied to a tree, and his skin was removed from his body.
After this horrific event, the villagers gathered at the site where the five immortal martyrs were executed and performed their last rites. Baba Jai Singh Ji’s daughter-in-law, Mata Raj Kaur, who was pregnant at the time, had gone to Ambala and later gave birth to a son there, continuing the family lineage.
In memory of these five immortal martyrs, the first martyrdom site, known as Thaja Sahib, was established.
Later, a Gurdwara Sahib was constructed at the site. Every year, on Fagan Sudi Dashami, a fair is organized in memory of the martyrs with the support of the devotees. Many devotees (Sangat) gather to bow before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and pay homage to the martyrs, keeping their legacy alive.
From the life of Guru Ramdas ji, there are very beautiful ‘Purena’ found by ‘Siddak’. He was born in Lahore Chune Mandi in 1534. His mother died at a young age. When Guru Sahib was 7 years old, his father’s shadow also lifted from his head. His native village was Basarke. At that time Guru Sahib’s grandmother brought them to her village Basarke. Guru Amardas ji lived there.
So at the age of 7 years, he was blessed with the company of Guru Amardas Ji. His popular name at his parents’ house was ‘Jetha’.
When in the year 1546 Guru Amardas ji settled Nagar Goindwal according to the orders of Guru Angad Sahib, he took Bhai Jetha ji along with him and some other companions also. In the year 1552, Guru Amar Das Ji became Guru. In the year 1553, Satguru ji got his daughter Bibi Bhani ji married to him. But Bhai Jetha ji did not allow any pride in this worldly connection. He continued to serve the Sangat wholeheartedly in the Guru-ghar.
Guru Amar Das Ji had two sons-in-law. The elder’s name was Bhai Rama and the younger’s name was Bhai Jetha ji. Both were serving at Guru-dar. Their love was widely discussed among Sikhs.
It mentions the last days of Guru Amardas Ji’s life. Satguru ji allowed Bhai Rama ji and Bhai Jetha ji to prepare two platforms near Bauli. From morning to evening, both of them kept preparing their platform according to Satguru Ji’s instructions.
But when Satguru ji came and saw the platform in the evening, he did not like it. Both were demolished and then asked to build new ones. The same thing happened on the second day. On the morning of the third day, both of them started work again. In the evening, when Satguru ji came and did not like it, Bhai Rama ji said that I am building the same platform as you said, but your age has increased, You don’t remember what you said. I have no fault in this. Satguru ji remained silent after hearing this answer from Bhai Rama ji.
On the fourth day, Bhai Jetha ji started building the platform again. But in the evening, Satguru ji demolished it again. When the same order was made on the seventh day, Bhai Jetha ji put a scarf around his neck, fell at the feet of Satguru ji and started saying – Patishah! I am a fool, I am a criminal. You bless me again and again. I am ignorant, I am forgetful. Keep the lodge of Dar-Dhathe. I can only use as much intelligence as you give. I am fool who couldn’t understand your order.
An example of Human Nature
Man generally want everything to be done according to my own will. If I want something then I do it.. If I don’t want to do it then I don’t do it. But this is raw devotion.
So, if we want to understand the path of life described by Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, then we have to follow each and every rule of that path withย fullย sincerity.
