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Banda Singh Bahadur (Childhood: Lachhman Dev; lifetime: 1670-1716 AD), a great warrior, a true Sikh and a distinguished Khalsa commander, was born on October 27, 1670 AD to Ramdev, a poor farmer of Rajauri, Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir). His mother’s name was Sulakhani Devi.

Lachhman Dev, who was interested in horse riding, exercises and weaponry since childhood, left his home in the year 1685 AD at the age of just 15; he became a monk with the inspiration of a fellow monk named Janaki Prasad Bairagi and came to be known as Madho Das Bairagi. In the year 1686 AD, he became the disciple of the Bairagi Ram Dass of Kasur (Punjab) region. He obtained knowledge of spirituality and the Dharma from Bairagi Ram Dass. After that, traveling with his disciples for about four years, he reached the famous Panchavati (place of five banyan trees), Nashik in the year 1691 AD where he came in contact with Yogi Aughar Nath, famous for Tantra science and learnt specially the science of Yoga from him. After his death in the same year, he came to Nanded.

Madho Das Bairagi founded a monastery in Nanded, located in present-day Maharashtra, along the banks of the Godavari River and there he was fully engaged in his austere lifestyle, focusing on the principles of the Dharma, spiritual enlightenment, and the disciplines of Yoga and Tantra. Meanwhile, the Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singhji, who resided in the same region during that time, was actively engaged in his campaign against the policy of religious intolerance, fanaticism, and the oppressive actions of the Mughal Empire led by Aurangzeb.

Guruji met Bairagi Madho Das in the last week of September, 1708 AD. In fact, Guru Gobind Singh had heard about Madho Das Bairagi a few months ago from Mahant Jait Ram at

Dadu Dwara (Narayana, Jaipur State) during his journey to the South. Madho Das Bairagi was so impressed by the sacrifices made by Guru Gobind Singh for the protection of the Dharma, culture and humanity that he became Guruji’s disciple. He was given the name Gurbaksh Singh by Guru Gobind Singh in a religious ceremony. With his dedication to Guru Gobind Singh, his declaration and resolution that “I am a Banda (a slave) of yours (Guru Gobind Singh)”, and after his ‘Amrit Sanskar’ he came to be known by the name Banda Singh.

After the Amritpan –entering into the Khalsa, thus becoming the disciple of the Guru, a revolutionary change immediately took place in the life of Banda Singh. He immediately sought permission from Guru Gobind Singh to prepare to march towards Punjab for a Dharma-Yuddha, so that he could carry forward the mission of protecting the people from the tyrants and fundamentalists there, which was started by Guruji himself, and achieve that.

After the preparations were completed, Banda Singh appeared before Guru Gobind Singh. Guruji bestowed the title of ‘Bahadur’ on him. He gave Banda Singh Bahadur five arrows from his quiver, a ‘Nishan Saheb’ and a drum. A group of ‘Panj Pyare’ named Binod Singh, Kahan Singh, Baj Singh, Daya Singh and Ram Singh and twenty other Sikh warriors were also given to his help and advice. Along with this, a letter addressed to the Sikhs across the country calling them to gather under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur and fight for the protection of the people and the Dharma was also handed over to him. 

While departing finally on the mission, Guru Gobind Singh specifically told Banda Singh Bahadur that he should start every work by remembering ‘Waheguru’ (God); he must maintain personal chastity and purity, and respect women. He should not consider himself as a Guru, but a Jathedar (a leader) and take any decision only after consulting the ‘Panj Pyare’ (the five beloveds). Guru Gobind Singh told him that the success of his Dhrama-Yuddha to protect humanity would depend on following these as directive principles. 

Banda Singh Bahadur, dressed like a lion, set out towards the North. He was on his way to Punjab when Guru Gobind Singh passed away in Nanded on October 7, 1708 AD.

Unperturbed, Banda Singh Bahadur continued moving forward. By leading the army of thousands of brave Sikhs, he after conquering Sonipat, near Delhi, then a part of the Mughal Empire, attacked Samana, the residence of Jalaluddin (the executioner of Guru Tegh Bahadur) and of Shashal Beg and Bashal Beg (the executioners of the younger sons of Guru Govind Singh at Sirhind), on November 26, 1709 AD. He occupied Samana and after a few days moved ahead.

Besides Samana, Banda Singh Bahadur fought more than a dozen battles including wars of Jammu in January, 1712 AD, Kiri Pathan (Gurdaspur) in March 1714 AD, etc. These included the Battle of Chapar Chiri (near Mohali) in May, 1710 AD –the siege of Sirhind in which Wazir Khan, the

one who ordered the arrest of Guru Gobind Singh’s two sons and walled them up alive, was defeated and killed. Through the study of those wars come before us the series of events related to capturing of Banda Singh Bahadur after the eight-month Mughal siege at Gurdas Nangal in December, 1715 AD and finally his supreme sacrifice for the safeguard of the Dharma, the Sanatana values, national culture and humanity on June 9, 1716 AD.

Banda Singh Bahadur embraced the path of warfare to defend the Dharma and safeguard the innocent and vulnerable individuals from despots and extremists, in accordance with Guru Gobind Singh’s Sanatana humanitarian declaration, “When all other measures failed, it is lawful to resort to the sword.” Historians could analyze the wars fought under Banda Singh Bahadur according to their own viewpoints. But, it is true that Banda Singh Bahadur maintained honesty, selflessness and personal purity throughout his life as a brave and matchless commander. Under his commandership, women’s respect was kept paramount without any discrimination. His aim was not to become a ruler; that is why, the common people were not looted by his armies. The wealth obtained from tyrants during wars was distributed among the poor and needy also. Wherever he conquered and established his authority, he ended the blood-sucking evil practice like the Zamindari system. By implementing such a system as “land belongs to the tiller”, he presented an example of being a true disciple of a true Guru, Shri Gobind Singhji Maharaj.

Banda Singh Bahadur fiercely pursued Guru Gobind Singh’s purpose to eradicate injustice, safeguard the national culture, uphold the Sanatana ideals, and maintain the Dharma. In doing so, he made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life. Banda Singh Bahadur’s hard labour and sacrifices are an essential component of India’s illustrious history. He is revered as a valiant defender of the people, a warrior, and a commander of exemplary character. His courageous actions to defend the vulnerable, liberate cultivators from unfair systems, and safeguard the national culture, the Sanatana values, and the Dharma were unparalleled. The enduring impact of his sacrifices will serve as a profound source of inspiration for future generations for an extended period of time.