Life and Martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh Ji โ A Great Sacrifice in Sikhism
Birth and Family Background Bhai Taru Singh Ji was a great martyr of Sikhism, whose sacrifice still inspires the Sikh community to selflessly serve and protect their faith. Bhai Taru Singh Ji was born in 1720 in the village of Puhla, located in the Amritsar district of Punjab, into a Sandhu Jat family. His father, Bhai Jodh Singh, was a brave Sikh warrior who was martyred in the war against the Mughal Empire. After his father’s martyrdom, Bhai Taru Singh Ji was raised by his mother, Bibi Dharam Kaur, in a religious and ideal Sikh environment.
Family Upbringing Bhai Taru Singh Ji was a very selfless Sikh who dedicated his life to serving Sikhism and protecting the Sikh community. He was raised in an atmosphere of humility and hard work. Bhai Taru Singh Ji worked hard on his land to support his family, but his life was simple and frugal. Whatever he saved from his earnings, he used to help Sikhs who were fleeing the atrocities of the Mughal regime.
His younger sister, Bibi Tar Kaur, also supported Bhai Taru Singh in helping the Sikh warriors. Both brother and sister assisted Sikh brothers who were hiding in forests to escape Mughal oppression. Their assistance and religious dedication forced the Mughal regime to take strict actions against them.
Arrest by the Mughal Regime A government informant from Jandiala, Akil Das, provided information about Bhai Taru Singh Ji and Bibi Tar Kaur aiding the Sikhs to the Mughal governor Zakariya Khan. As a result, Bhai Taru Singh Ji was brought before Governor Zakariya Khan in Lahore.
Bhai Taru Singh Ji was accused of helping the Sikhs who were fighting against the Mughal regime. When asked to convert to Islam, he outright refused. He pledged to remain firm in his Sikh beliefs and teachings of Guru Sahib and preferred death over succumbing to the Mughal tyranny.
Martyrdom and Torture Zakariya Khan captured Bhai Taru Singh and gave him the condition that if he agreed to cut his hair (kesh), his life would be spared. However, Bhai Taru Singh Ji refused to cut his hair. Consequently, on June 9, 1745, his scalp was painfully removed using a sharp blade so that his hair could never grow back. This act was a cruel attempt to undermine the importance of hair in Sikhism.
Bhai Taru Singh Ji endured immense pain and torture, but he never abandoned the principles of his faith. He sacrificed his life for his Guru and Sikhism, standing firm in the protection of his uncut hair. His martyrdom has always been an inspiration for Sikhs to honor their kesh (hair) and remain steadfast in the teachings of their Guru.
Funeral and Shaheedi Gurdwara After Bhai Taru Singh Ji’s martyrdom, his body was cremated outside the Delhi Gate in Lahore. A shrine known as “Shaheed Ganj” was later built at this site, which became a significant pilgrimage site for Sikhs. Bhai Taru Singh Jiโs martyrdom is viewed as one of the most revered sacrifices in Sikh history, symbolizing the ideal Sikh martyr.
Legacy of Bhai Taru Singh Ji The martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh Ji teaches the Sikh community that no matter how great the sacrifice, one should never waver from the path of truth and righteousness. His legacy continues to inspire adherence to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and the core principles of Sikhism.
Today, the Shaheedi Gurdwara in Lahore stands as a reminder of Bhai Taru Singh Ji’s supreme sacrifice. His life serves as a powerful example of dedication, courage, and religious fidelity.
In the village of ‘Aalowal’ in the district of Patiala, Sant Ishar Singh Ji Maharaj was born to Mata Ratan Kaur and Sardar Ram Singh Numberdar on August 5, 1905. His childhood name was Gulab Singh. Indeed, he was like a rose whose fragrance of spirituality spread to every corner of the world.
He received his early education from the primary school in the village ‘Chulela.’ Later, he enrolled in the Model School in Patiala and studied there until matriculation.
During this time, with the inspiration of his paternal aunt’s son and guardian, Sardar Dilip Singh Ji, he had the fortune to visit Reru Sahib and have the darshan of Sant Atar Singh Ji. Through Sant Atar Singh Ji’s guidance, Gulab Singh was transformed into Ishar Singh.
In 1924, after completing his tenth-grade examination, he went to Reru Sahib in a state of renunciation and spent several years there engaged in meditation and service. He received the blessing of serving humanity through Kirtan from Sant Atar Singh Ji.
On January 21, 1927, Sant Atar Singh Ji left his mortal body. This left Sant Ishar Singh Ji deeply saddened. To overcome this melancholy, he embarked on a pilgrimage to various holy places with Sant Kishan Singh Ji.
Afterward, accepting the request of Sri Gyan Singh ‘Rarrewala,’ he made the Dhakki of the village ‘Rara Sahib’ his place of penance. He spent about 9 years at this Dhakki, and in 1936, he established the current location, which he named ‘Karmsar’ after Sant Karam Singh Ji Maharaj of Hoti Mardan. This place became a center for the propagation of Gurmat, where daily discourses and monthly gatherings were held.
For almost half a century, he spread the message of Gurmat not just in India but to the far corners of the world. In December 1949, he traveled to Africa for Gurmat propagation and spent about 13 months uplifting the congregation with the simple teachings of Gurbani.
Until his last breath, he continued the mission of Gurmat propagation in villages and cities. He established centers of Gurmat propagation, where annual congregations were held. Every congregation included an Amrit Sanchar ceremony. Due to the well-organized Gurmat propagation by Sant Ji Maharaj, approximately 600,000 people received the great gift of Amrit.
In addition to Gurmat propagation, he made significant contributions to the field of education. In 1945, he established a Higher Secondary School in this rural area. In 1969, it was upgraded to a Degree College. Today, both institutions are successfully run by the Punjab government as ‘Government Senior Secondary School, Karmsar’ and ‘Government College, Karmsar.’
In 1974 and 1975, he traveled to England for Gurmat propagation. Finally, on August 26, 1975, while sitting in meditation, he left his physical body in Wolverhampton, England. His mortal remains were brought back to Punjab and on September 1, 1975, were immersed in the river Sutlej in front of Gurdwara ‘Bibhor Sahib’ (Nangal).
Short History Sant Baba Ishar Singh JI Rara Sahib Wale
