The Mughal government had started an all-out campaign against the Sikhs. As a result most of the Sikhs had left the plains. They had taken shelter In places like the Shivallik hills, the Lakhi Jungle, and the sandy deserts of Rajputana. Sometimes, however, they used to come out of their hiding and make their presence felt. One such occasion was Nadir Shah’s Invasion of India.
Nadir Shah of Persia and overrun the Panjab and plundered Delhi In the early months of 1739 A.D. On the way back, he decided to avoid the heat of the plains. so he took a northerly route under the Shivallk hills. A number of Sikhs were passing their days In those hills. They decided to plunder the Invader and plunderer. They fell on the rear on the hindermost part of his army. They took away much of his booty.
This action astonished Nadir Shah. He called a halt at Lahore. He inquired from Zakrlya Khan governor of Lahore.
“Who are these people who have dared to Interfere with my onward march? Who are these bold mischief makers?”
Zakrlya Khan replied, “They are a group of fakirs. They visit their Guru’s tank at Amritsar twice a year. After bathing, they disappear.”
“Where do they live?” asked Nadir Shah.
“Their saddles are their home,” replied the governor.
”Take care” said Nadir Shah, the day Is not far off when they will take possession of your country.”
“Nadir Shah’s remark cut Zakrlya Khan to the quick. He resolved to Intensify his campaign against the Sikhs. He restarted the practice offering rewards for their capture and destruction. Thousands of Sikhs were killed. Soon the plains seemed to have been cleared of them.
Still another action was taken against them. The Darbar Sahib of Amritsar was taken Into possession. Its approaches were guarded by military pickets. The latter prevented the Sikhs from assembling In their favorite sacred place.
Massa Ranghar of Mandiall was put In charge of the Darbar Sahib. He was the most active of the Chaudharles engaged in capturing and destroying the Sikhs. He turned the holy precincts Into a stable. The Inmost temple was turned by him Into a nautch house (dance hall). He used to smoke and drink, and enjoy the dance of public women there.
The news of this disrespectful use of the sacred temple was conveyed by some persons to a party of Sikhs Living in Jalpur, Rajputana. One of those Sikhs was Bhal Mehtab Singh. He was a Jat Sikh of Mirankot, near Amritsar. He was astonished at the news. He sald to the messenger, “You heard this outrage on the sacred place, and yet you lave and go about telling the news to others! Why was not Massa Ranghar killed then and there? Is no Sikh left there?
“No,” replied the messenger. “There Is no Sikh there with greater sense of honor than those who have run away to places like Jaipur In order to save their lives.
Bhal Mehtab Singh was a strong bodied brave young man. The messenger’s taunt stung him Like a scorpion. He stood up at once. took up his sword, and sold, “I shall go, cut off Massa’s head with this sword, and bring It here.”
He saddled his horse and got ready to gallop away. Bhal Sukha Singh of Marl Kambo offered to go with him. Both galloped off towards Amritsar. On reaching near the sacred city, they disguised themselves as Muhammadans. They filled two bags with well-rounded pieces of broken earthen pots. Each of them placed one of the bags before him on the horse. They looked like Muhammadan Lambardars come to pay their land revenue.
They reached Amritsar In August 1740. They entered the precincts of the Temple, To the guards they sald, “We have come to pay landrevenue to our Chaudhri.” They were allowed to go In. They tied their horses outside the main gate. The ber tree to which the horses were tied still exists. They came to Massa Ranghar. He was seated on a cot, smoking a hukka. He was Intoxicated with wine. With half closed eyes he was listening to the music of dancing girls. The sight made their blood boll. Bhal Sukha Singh stood watch near the door. Bhal Behtab Singh went In and fell on the tyrant like lightening. With one stroke of his sword he cut off Massa’s head. Massa’s companions were taken by surprise. They were shocked. They ran about In terror. Before they could recover from their surprise and shock, Bhal Mehtab Singh and Bhai Sukha Singh had made good their escape and galloped away.
Zakriya Khan soon heard of Massa Ranghar’s end. He was beside himself with rage on hearing of the daring deed of the two Sikhs. He summoned all Chaudhrles of the parganas around Amritsar. He ordered them to find out and bring to him the murderer of Massa. A handsome prize was promised for his capture.
Harbhagat Niranjinia of Jandiala was a sworn enemy of the Sikhs. He had helped the government In hunting them up. He came forward and promised to do his best In this case, too. He discovered that bhal Mehtab Singh had murdered Massa. Ho conveyed this Information to the governor. Thereupon, Bhal Mehtab Singh’s village, Mirankot, was surrounded by a strong force. It was under the command of one Nur Din, Harbhagat accompanied the force.
Bhal Mehtab Singh, of course was not found there. But his little son, Ral Singh was there. Before leaving the village, Bhal Mehtab Singh had placed his little son under the protection of the village Lambardar. The latter’s name was Natha Khalhra. Nur Din sent tor him. He was desired to bring the child with him. But Natha did not want to hand over the child to those butchers, Lifting him on his shoulder he left the village by a backdoor. Three or four persons were with him. Nur Din’s men learnt of his escape. Harbhagat, along with some soldiers, hurried after Natha and his companions. He overtook them soon and attacked them. A flerce fight took place between the two parties. Nathan and his companions were killed. Ral Singh was seriously wounded. Harbhaget took him for dead. He went back, leaving the wounded child there. A Kambo woman happened to pass that way. She saw the wounded child. She found that he was still alive. She took him home. Under her motherly care, Ral Singh recovered In due course.
In the year 1745, Bhal Mehtab Singh came to his village in order to see his family and friends. Some evil person Informed the local Musiim official of this fact. Bhal Mehtab Singh was captured, chained and taken to Lahore. there he was told to choose between Islam and death. He stoutly refused to give up his falth. He chose death. He sald, “No true Sikh can ever agree to give up his faith, to turn his back on the Guru. | shall dle a Sikh. Thereupon he was publicly broken on the wheel. That was a most torturous mode of killing. Bhai Mehtab Singh remained calm all the time. He did not utter even a single groan or cry of pain. He kept meditating on God and repeating His Name.
His head was then cut off. It was hung up in Hiramandl. His body was thrown Into a ditch.
Bhal Mehtab Singh was killed of course, and killed with utmost brutality. But he Is not really dead. Like all martyrs, he Is still alive. His memory will last as long as lasts the holy Harmandar at Amritsar. We know that he tied his horse to a be tree outside the holy place. That tree still exists. Visitors to the Golden Temple respectfully touch and salute the said ber tree. They recall and admire the daring, noble deed of the great Sikh martyr. He thus lives and shall Live forever.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 29, 1989
