Lakhi Shah Vanjara
Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara was a devout Sikh who lived during the time of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. He hails from the Lobana community of Sikhs. The Lobanas community played an important role during the times of the Sikh Gurus. Several key incidents in time of ninth and tenth Gurus are attributed to this Sikh community. Baba Makhan Shah is a devout Sikh and was responsible for finding the ninth Sikh Guru, (Guru Tegh Bahadur) and Lakhi Shah was responsible for cremating the body of ninth Guru in his house. Lobanas also fought many wars with Guru Gobind Singh and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
Bhai Kakhi Shah was present in Delhi at the time of the martyrdom of the ninth Guru and he was the one who was brave and bold enough to take the headless body of Guru Tegh Bahadur under the cover of darkness, from Chandni Chowk in 1675 AD and cremated it. As it was too dangerous to openly cremate the body, he did so by putting the Guru's body in his house and then setting his whole house on fire.
Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi marks the site where once stood the house of this dedicated Sikh. He did valuable service to Sikhism in November 1675 by carrying out the cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur after his execution in Delhi. Afterwards Lakhi Shah, accompanied by his companions, went to Anandpur to pay homage to Guru Gobind Singh. It is said that his services were highly appreciated by Guru Gobind Singh.
