One of the most revered martyrs in Sikh history is Baba Deep Singh Shahid (26 January 1682 – 13 November 1757). He was the Shahid Misl (group's) founder. He served as the first head of the Damdami Taksal (Damdama School of Learning), a 300-year-old Sikh religious institution that Guru Gobind Singh Ji created. He was a tall, powerful Sikh who exhibited amazing bravery.
He was a valiant and brave saint-soldier who was always willing to put his life in danger for the Panth. Baba Ji was a Sikh who belonged to the Rangreta dynasty.
He was born on January 26, 1682, and he passed away at the age of roughly 75 while fighting in Amritsar on November 13, 1757. He grew up near Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, starting at about the age of 12.
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He served as the Panth's (the Sikh community) custodian for most of his life. He and Banda Singh Bahadur Ji are regarded as the most revered martyrs in the history of the Panth, and the two of them together established a remarkable and exceptional example for the community to follow for many years. Baba Ji was not only a valiant and daring fighter, but also a brilliant student who was fluent in multiple languages.
From the time when Guru Gobind Singh Ji came to Damdama Sahib Baba Ji was responsible for the distribution of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to other parts of the world and was the "head granthi" (head priest) of Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.
Baba Deep Singh was born to Bhai Bhagata Ji and Mai Jeoni Ji a Sikh couple on January 26, 1682, in Pahuvind a village 40 kilometers southwest of Amritsar. Hardworking Jaat Sikhs made up Baba Ji’s parent family. He was their only child. Deepa was his name which means Light. Being the only kid his parents showered him love and devotion. Deepa and his parents visited Anandpur Sahib to meet Guru Gobind Singh Ji the tenth guru when he was twelve years old. They spend many days at the Anandpur Sahib doing Sewa (service) among the Sikh Community. The Guru asked 12 years old Deepa to stay with him at Anandpur when his parents would be prepared to move back to their village.
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He eagerly agreed to his Guru's request and got to work helping the city's Sikh population. He immersed himself in his study of Sikh philosophy and the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book of scriptures while attending Anandpur Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh and other Sikh gurus taught him numerous languages, including Gurmukhi (Punjabi script). He also learned how to ride a horse, go hunting, and use a bow and other weapons there.
He swore an oath to serve as one of Waheguru's warriors (Akal Purakh dee fauj) and was given Amrit by the Panj Pyare at Anandpur Sahib when he was eighteen. Deep Singh discovered with his new identity that Sikhs are expected to always aid the weak and needy as well as fight for justice and the truth. He continued his studies of the holy texts with Bhai Mani Singh at Anandpur after taking the Khalsa vows. He spent a total of nearly eight years in Anandpur and quickly rose to become one of the Guru's most cherished Sikhs.
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In about 1720 Guru Gobind Singh Ji requested that he return to his village to help his parents in that same year, he wed. A Sikh messenger informed him that Guru Ji had fled his fort in Anandpur Sahib following a six-month battle with the Hindu hill Rajput Rajas in 1704, around two years after his return to Pahuwind. He also discovered that his mother, Mata Gujri, and the Guru's two young kids had been removed from him during the conflict. When Baba Deep Singh Ji received this depressing news, he left Pahuwind right away to meet with Guru Gobind Singh Ji. At Damdama Sahib in Talwandi, Baba Deep Singh Ji finally caught up with the Guru.
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Here, he discovered that Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, the Guru's two older sons, had died in the Chamkaur war. Additionally, Guru Ji informed him that his two younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, together with their grandmother, had been betrayed and imprisoned by a former family servant. Wazir Khan ordered their ruthless execution because they refused to accept Islam. Grandmother Mata Gujar Kaur, who was being detained at Sirhind with the two princes, left for their heavenly home knowing in advance what would happen to the younger Sahibzadas.
Baba Deep Singh Ji Joined Banada Bahadur the Jathedar appointed by Guru Gobind Singh before leaving for the heavenly abode to fight for the freedom of Punjab. They fought together in the battle at Sirhind. Although the Muslim army outnumbered the Sikhs significantly, the Sikh army was able to easily defeat the Muslim force. During the battle, Wazir Khan was killed closing the chapter of the tyranny of this Mughal leader.
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