Baba Deep Singh
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BABA DEEP SINGH SHAHID (1682-1757) is one of most honoured martyrs in Sikh history and the founder of the Shahid misl (group) as well as of the Damdami Taksal (Damdama school of learning). He was tall, strong, and uncommonly brave Sikh who was a bold and fearless saint-soldier, ever ready to risk his life for the Panth.
- Baba ji was a great Sikh scholar who became a soldier and martyr for the defence of Sikhism.
- At the age of eighteen, he received Amrit from the Panj Pyare at Anandpur Sahib in the presence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Stayed at Anandpur Sahib where he spent about 8 years and here learned Gurmukhi from Bhai Mani Singh along with horse riding, archery as well as other arms training.
- Met Guru Gobind Singh at Damdama Sahib where Guru Gobind Singh asked him to start preaching the message of Sikhism.
- Between 1705 and 1728 Baba Deep Singh and Bhai Mani Singh produced a number of hand written copies of the Guru Granth Sahib for distribution among the Sikhs.
- Baba Deep Singh became head "Granthi" at Damdama Sahib.
- Fought in various wars - In about 1709, Baba Deep Singh Ji joined Banda Singh Bahadur to fight in the battle of Sirhind. Baba Deep Singh was also a survivor of the Chotta Ghalughara (Small Holocaust) in 1755 when 10,000 Sikhs were killed.
- On the outskirts of Amritsar, Baba ji and heavily outnumbered Sikhs fought two fierce battles against a Mughal force of 20,000. In the second engagement Baba Deep Singh was fatally wounded in the neck but had vowed to die in the precincts of the Golden Temple. He kept his promise and died with his severed head resting on the perkerma of Harimander Sahib
Background
Baba Ji was born in January 26, 1682, (14 Maagh Sunmat1739) the son of Bhai Bhagata Ji and Mai Jeoni Ji, a Sikh couple living in Pahuvind, a village 40 km southwest of Amritsar. Baba Ji parents were hard working Sikh farmers but had not previously been blessed with any children. He was named Deepa (meaning “light
