Bhai Mani Singh son of Chaudhri Kale of village Kaibowal district Sangrur was offered to ninth

Nanak (Guru Teg Bahadur) when he was just five years of age. So he remained at the scene of Damesh (Guru Gobind Singh Ji-the Tenth Master) from early childhood. Bhai Mani Singh along with his two sons (Ude Singh and Bachittar Singh) fought the first battle of Anandpur September 1, 1700 after which he returned to Amritsar as Granthi of Harmandir Sahib. In appreciation of services Guru Gobind Singh issued a Huknama in favor of Bhai Mani Singh in 1703.

During early 1704 at the order of Guru Gobind Singh he left for Delhi with Mata Sundari and Sahib Kaur. A year later arrived at Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo Ki Mandi) with both the Matas. Here Guru Gobind Singh dictated him Guru Granth Sahib with added Bani of Ninth Guru for Akhand Path as Masands at Harmandir Sahib refused to read the holy book for the cause.

Bhai Mani Singh accompanied Guru Gobind up to the town of Bagher on his journey to Deccan Via Rajasthan (1707) but on the direction of Guru returned to Amritsar as Granthi and consoled the Sikh Sangat who was very much depressed.

Bhai Mani Singh stuck to the post during 1713 when many Massadis deserted the Harmandir because of states persecution of Sikhs He stayed at the temple till 1717. Then he left for Delhi. He was reappointed as Granthi of Harmandir in 1721 by Mata Sundari to resolve the dispute between Bandhai and Tat Khalsa. He held the Jathedari of Akal Bunga too.

Bhai Sahib decided to hold the fairs of Diwali and Baisakhi and revival of Guru Ka Langar on regular basis. To celebrate Diwali of 1733 permission was sought from the state through the good offices of Subeg Singh and Surat Singh of Lahore by paying rupees 10000 for 10 days festival. However on getting the information about the evil designs of the state fair was postponed. Again permission was sought on the same terms and conditions in 1734. Invitations were extended to Sadh Sangat. Under the pretext of keeping peace in the city Zakria Khan sent troops under the command of Lakhapat Rai with the aim of doing away as many Sikhs as possible. As a result there had been no gathering any offerings and hence no payment could be done to the state. Bhai Sahib and his companions were arrested and taken to Lahore and asked to embrace Islam. On refusal Bhai Sahib was cut limb by limb and his companions executed the same day June 241734 (number & names unknown).by T.S.Sandhu.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 4, 1992