Bhai Mani Singh was born in 1644 to Bhai Mai Daas and belonged to District Patiala. His parents called him Mania. He along with his parents visited Anandpur Sahib to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. Bhai Mani Singh was of about the same age as that of Gobind Rai (childhood name of Guru Gobind Singh ji). They became playmates and friends. Mania did not go back with his parents and stayed on at Anandpur Sahib. He became a life long companion and devotee of Guru Gobind Singh ji. He fought bravely in the battles of Bhangani and Nandawn for Guru Gobind Singh ji.
Guru Gobind Singh ji baptized him and changed his name from Mania to Bhai Mani Singh and took him as his assistant in the establishment of the Khalsa Panth. Bhai Mani Singh was well known for his bravery as well scholarship. He transcribed many copies of the sacred Sikh scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) for different Sikh Missionary Centers and accompanied Guru Sahib on his tours including the last, to the South, where he passed away in 1708. After Guru Sahib’s heavenly departure, most Sikhs looked upon Bhai Mani Singh for guidance.
On the other hand, after the death of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716, the Sikhs were split into two factions. Those who regarded Baba Banda Singh as their leader were called Bandies and the others were called Tat Khalsas (strict followers of the Guru’s directives). Both the factions wanted to take control of Amritsar and there was a likelihood of a major conflict. Bhai Mani Singh who was at that time the Head Priest of the Darbar Sahib, tactfully reconciled the two sides by asking them to cast lots for the control of Amritsar. Thus his wisdom and sweetness settled the dispute peacefully.
Bhai Mani Singh was the most learned man of his time. His exposition of Gurbani was appreciated by all. He wrote Gian Ratnawali and compiled the Dasam Granth. He prepared a revised edition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib as directed by Guru Gobind Singh ji at Damdama Sahib.
Zakria khan, a fanatic Muslim, was the Governor of Lahore at that time. He agreed to permit the Diwali gathering of Sikhs at Darbar Sahib, only if, Bhai Mani Singh paid him Rs 5000/-. Bhai Mani Singh agreed hoping to collect the money from the Sikhs when they come to attend the gathering. In the meantime, the Governor sent secret orders to his forces to make a surprise attack on the Sikhs on the night of Diwali at Darbar Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh came to know of it and sent out message to the Sikhs not to come to Amritsar. As a result, only a few Sikhs from nearby areas turned up and enough money could not be collected and paid to the Governor.
Bhai Mani Singh protested to the Governor’s secret plans of attack and also explained to him why he could not pay him the money. Still he was arrested for non-payment. He was offered to embrace Islam, or pay the money or else he would be cut into pieces limb by limb. Bhai Mani Singh refused to convert and was, therefore, ordered to be killed by cutting his body at each joint. Bhai Mani Singh was 76 years old at that time. He was
cut up into pieces but this great Sikh of the Guru neither wavered nor gave up. He was calm and serene till his last breath. He was martyred in 1738 at Lahore near the Lahore Fort. The place where he was martyred is called Shaheed Ganj.
Guru Gobind Singh ji baptized him and changed his name from Mania to Bhai Mani Singh and took him as his assistant in the establishment of the Khalsa Panth. Bhai Mani Singh was well known for his bravery as well scholarship. He transcribed many copies of the sacred Sikh scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) for different Sikh Missionary Centers and accompanied Guru Sahib on his tours including the last, to the South, where he passed away in 1708. After Guru Sahib’s heavenly departure, most Sikhs looked upon Bhai Mani Singh for guidance.
On the other hand, after the death of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716, the Sikhs were split into two factions. Those who regarded Baba Banda Singh as their leader were called Bandies and the others were called Tat Khalsas (strict followers of the Guru’s directives). Both the factions wanted to take control of Amritsar and there was a likelihood of a major conflict. Bhai Mani Singh who was at that time the Head Priest of the Darbar Sahib, tactfully reconciled the two sides by asking them to cast lots for the control of Amritsar. Thus his wisdom and sweetness settled the dispute peacefully.
Bhai Mani Singh was the most learned man of his time. His exposition of Gurbani was appreciated by all. He wrote Gian Ratnawali and compiled the Dasam Granth. He prepared a revised edition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib as directed by Guru Gobind Singh ji at Damdama Sahib.
Zakria khan, a fanatic Muslim, was the Governor of Lahore at that time. He agreed to permit the Diwali gathering of Sikhs at Darbar Sahib, only if, Bhai Mani Singh paid him Rs 5000/-. Bhai Mani Singh agreed hoping to collect the money from the Sikhs when they come to attend the gathering. In the meantime, the Governor sent secret orders to his forces to make a surprise attack on the Sikhs on the night of Diwali at Darbar Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh came to know of it and sent out message to the Sikhs not to come to Amritsar. As a result, only a few Sikhs from nearby areas turned up and enough money could not be collected and paid to the Governor.
Bhai Mani Singh protested to the Governor’s secret plans of attack and also explained to him why he could not pay him the money. Still he was arrested for non-payment. He was offered to embrace Islam, or pay the money or else he would be cut into pieces limb by limb. Bhai Mani Singh refused to convert and was, therefore, ordered to be killed by cutting his body at each joint. Bhai Mani Singh was 76 years old at that time. He was
cut up into pieces but this great Sikh of the Guru neither wavered nor gave up. He was calm and serene till his last breath. He was martyred in 1738 at Lahore near the Lahore Fort. The place where he was martyred is called Shaheed Ganj.
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