Baba Bir Singh Naurangabadi

According to “Mahan Kosh” Baba Bir Singh Nuarangabadi was born in ‘4 sawan samat 1825’. His father name is Sewa Singh and mother name is Mata Dharam Kaur. His birth place is “Gog Bua” near “Jhabaal” in distt Amritsar. The Family of Baba Bir Singh Nuarangabadi was very religious. S. Sewa Singh the father of Bir Singh was high ranked officer in the army of ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh’.

 

Additionally, ‘Khalsa Panth’ got first lady Jathedar Mayi Bhago, who was belssed by ‘Guru Gobind Singh Ji’. And, those Singh’s who gave ‘Bedava’ to Guru Ji, ‘Mayi Bhago’ made them realize their responsibilities. This Mayi Bhago was from Jhabaal.

S. Sewa Singh recruited his son in “Khalsa Army”. Moreover, In the “War of Multan” Baba Bir Singh Nuarangabadi fought very bravely under the command of “Atari Sardars”. During this war he became ‘Saint’ from ‘Soldier’. He was very Religious person. He make a religious place “Naurangabad” which is situated at Goindawal to Taran Taran road. After a long time the name of this place has changed to “ Dera Baba Bir Singh Naurangabadi” urf “Santpura”.

Therefore, he got the company of Baba Sahib Singh Bedi for sometime. He had lived in the place of Baba Bedi and had done sewa of Langar and Pairs of Sangat. By the order of baba bedi he placed the Dera Sant Sar. Baba Bir Singh baptized by ‘Baba Bhag Singh Koori-wale’. At this place people associated with the “Gurbani” and “Martial Arts”(Gatka) also practiced. According to ‘Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha’, Baba Ji had approximately more than 3000 sikhs that had no fear of death. In addition to this, to serve the devotees with food (Langar) there were large numbers of buffaloes and cows.

People who were persecuted by anyone used to meet Baba Ji to share their problems. And, Baba Ji used to help them without any partiality. Baba Ji had a very respected personality in “Lahore Darbar”. So, nobody had used to dare to go against Baba ji.

 

During the years 1839 to 1849 ‘The Khalsa Army’ lost many battles due to joint and deep conspiracies by the Dogras and the Britishers. However, the soldiers of the Khalsa Army had fought valiantly but still defeated. But, Dogras cheated the soldiers of Khalsa Army, by sending them Mustard seeds in exchange of Gunpowder. And, they had broken the bridge of Boats.

 

Dogra Dhian Singh, his brother, his son Hira Singh and the Britishers conspired to create an atmosphere of turmoil in the ‘Lahore Darbar’ and the ‘Khalsa army’. Dogra Dhyan Chand wanted his son Hira Singh Dogra to become the owner of the Kingdom. The biggest ungrateful people of history were Dogra’s. Because, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh who picked them up from the ground and given higher rights. And, after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Dogra’s immediately started destroying his family and kingdom. In addition to this, Dogra’s were successful in destroying the Kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Britishers imprisoned ‘Maharani Jind Kaur’ and deported her. ‘Prince Kashmira Singh’ and ‘Price Peshawar Singh’ born to Maharani Jind Kaur and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. And, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s cousin ‘Sardar Atar Singh Sandhanvalia’ took refuge in Baba Bir Singh’s camp.

 

Hira Singh Dogra(who is the prime minister of Punjab country and ‘Sarkar – Ae – Khalsa’) and his teacher Pandit Jallah Singh used to fear. That, as long as Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s heirs live, Hira Singh cannot become the King. Hira Singh heard the news that the heirs of Maharaja Ranjit Singh took refuge in the dera of Baba Bir Singh Naurangabadi. He got aggressive. And, then began to provoke the Khalsa forces that Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s successors and Bir Singh had joined the Britishers. And, Punjab is being occupied by the Britishers.

After this, the Khalsa forces got angry on Baba Bir Singh Naurangabadi and heirs of ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh‘. Hira Singh had been successful in his evil plan, in which he attacked on Dera of Baba Bir Singh Naurangabadi, which was like a fort. But there was still devotion for Baba Ji in the army. Army sent two important chiefs ‘Sardar Gulab Singh Kalkatiya’ and ‘Sardar Baagh Singh’ to talk to Baba Bir Singh. And, that chiefs were demanding Baba Ji to hand over ‘Sardar Attar Singh’ and Sons of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Baba Ji humbly explained to them that these persons are the heirs of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, how can they be Rebellious Sardar.

But, intoxicated with power, those leaders mistreated Baba Bir Singh Naurangabadi. And, Sardar Attar Singh could not bear it. He smashed them to pieces with his sword. After hearing the news of the death of the leaders, the army attacked on Dera. Sardar Atar Singh Sandhewalia asked Baba Ji for permission to fight against the army, but Baba ji was a staunch supporter of the Khalsa State. And, he did not want a fratricidal war. Moreover, when Sardar Attar Singh saw many ‘Singhs’, ‘Singhania’ and ‘Cattle’ had killed by the firing squad. He took a few Singhs with him and fought with the army. But due to heavy firing and soldiers the Singhs soon succumbed to martyrdom.

Therefore, Baba Ji quietly went and sat in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The army fired on Baba Ji, due to which Baba ji was martyred. Shah Mohammad writes about the martyrdom of Baba Ji –

 

ਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਢਾਹ ਤੋਪਾਂ,

 

ਨਹੀਂ ਛਡਿਆ ਸਾਧ ਤੇ ਸੰਤ ਮੀਆਂ।