Baba Deep Singh, (January 26, 1682 – November 13, 1757), a scholar and scribe in Guru Gobind Singh’s court, also joined the Guru as a soldier in battle displaying great courage and determination when tyrannical Mughals and Hill Rajas joined forces to oppose the Guru’s growing influence. He became an important figure in structuring the Misl military system, and made the ultimate sacrifice, to become forever immortalized as a shaheed who literally gave his head for the preservation of the Khalsa Panth.
1682 – 1699 Pahuvind
Birth and Early Life
Named Deep at birth, and born On January 26, 1682 (Sudi 14 Magh, 1739 Bk) in the village of Pahuvind to a couple who had been childless for more than 20 years, Bibi Jivani and her husband Bhai Bhagta welcomed their newborn son to their loving home, believing him to be a blessing of faith from Waheguru, the Wondrous Enlightener. The couple raised their son according to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, instilling him with a high moral code and the strength of noble values. Within two and a half years, the family welcomed a second son. Deep began attending school at about five years of age where in addition to other subjects he studied Sikh history and received instruction in Gurbani until about age 14. His teacher urged him to go to Anandpur in order to further his studies, however Deep chose to stay home and help his father and younger brother manage their farm. Over the next few years, Deep grew very strong and enjoyed joining in wrestling and other sports with the other boys of his village. He displayed great courage when he saved the women of his village from being attacked by a raging bull.
1700 – 1701 Anandpur Sahib
Initiation as Khalsa Warrior
Deep had longed to go to Anandpur Sahib ever since he had completed his schooling in Pahuvind. When he reached the age of 18, he convinced his family to join a group of devotees from the village Jhabbal making their way to Anandpur Sahib for the Vaisakhi festival. Along the way they stopped at various historical sites. When they reached Anandpur in April, Deep’s family went to see Guru Gobind Singh who invited them to partake of Amrit. Deep presented himself to the Panj Pyare for initiation. Upon drinking the immortal nectar Amrit and being initiated as a Khalsa warrior, he became known as Bhai Deep Singh. When it came time for the family to depart for home, Guru Gobind Singh invited Bhai Deep Singh to stay with him at court. His parents honored the Guru’s wishes and returned home without him.
Scholarly Pursuit
While in Anandpur Sahib Bhai Deep Singh resumed his scholarly pursuits. He studied Gurbani, tutored by Bhai Mani Singh. He also learned Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic, as well as the arts, and strategy, of weaponry, and warfare, with the Khalsa warriors.
Soldiering
While in Anandpur Sahib, Bhai Deep Singh took up soldiering and fought along with Guru Gobind Singh, the Guru’s elder sons, and the Guru’s Khalsa warriors when attacked by Hill Rajas who had allied themselves with the Mughal imperial army.
First Battle – Bhai Deep Singh fought alongside Guru Gobind Singh, his generals the Panj Pyare and the Khalsa Warriors when attacked at Anandpur under direct orders from Aurangzeb by Mughal generals Painda Khan and Dina Beg, each commanding armies of 5,000 men along with Raja Ajmer Chand of Kalhur, other Rajas of the Sivalik Hills, and their respective armies. Despite overwhelming odds, the brave Khalsa managed to inflict crushing losses on the opposition. Guru Gobind Singh himself slew Painda Khan in hand-to-hand combat. Dina Beg then took over the command, but retreated after being gravely wounded. Alarmed, the hill Rajas fled with the Khalsa in pursuit. The Guru’s army defeated and drove their enemies clear to Rupar.
Second Battle – The disgruntled Hill Rajas banded their forces to attack Anandpur once again, aided by Rangars and Gujars. Advised by Minister Paramand, the hill Rajas turned their focus to Lohghar Fort. They planned to use a drunken armored elephant to batter the gates. The Guru learned of the plan and presented Bhai Bachittar Singh with a long Nagni spear with a spiral tip which he used to spear the forehead of the elephant from hose back. The wounded elephant spun around, charged swinging its trunk to which had been attached a heavy four-foot sword and trampled the enemy cavalry and foot soldiers led by Hill Raja Kesri Chand. Bhai Udai mustered the Khalsa, charged towards and decapitated Raja Kesri Chand, speared his head with a pike, and held it aloft terrifying the Raja’s army who fled in every direction. Bhai Nahar Singh chased after the panicking enemy troops. Struck by an arrow Raja Ajmir Chand retreated. Bhai Mokham Singh struck at, and sliced, the maddened elephant’s trunk detaching its sword. Bhai Sher Singh chopped at the elephant’s massive legs, crippling it so that it fell crashing to earth. Bhai Mani Singh of the Rajput clan took a battering. Bhai Bachittar Singh’s cousin, Bhai Sukha Singh, Udai Singh, Bhai Alam Singh, and Bhai Kushal Singh, along with others attained martyrdom. While fighting in this battle, Bhai Deep Singh realized the enormity of the treachery and opposition faced by his courageous Khalsa comrades to stand against tyranny and injustice, and made the decision to fully commit himself to the Guru’s endeavors.
1702 – 1703 Pahuvind
Return to Family Life
At about age 20, Bhai Deep Singh’s parents sent word for him to return home as they had arranged a marriage for him, and Guru Gobind Singh agreed. Deep Singh arrived in Pahuvind where his parents urged him to be wed, start a family, and take his place on the family farm. Bhai Deep Singh stayed with his family a year or two and enjoyed the peace of family life. Though his parents arranged a marriage, it is unclear whether a wedding took place.
1704 – 1705 Anandpur Sahib
Call to Return
Battles continued to rage between Mughals allied with Hills Rajas against Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa. Guru ji returned to Anandpur Sahib, and in late 1704 sent out a call for the Khalsa to join him. Bhai Deep Singh returned to the side of the Guru along with many others.
Siege
Several battles ensued and the Mughals and Hill Rajas conspired to lay siege to Anandpur in 1705. After seven months of severe food shortages and starvation, urged by his mother to accept a false promise of safe passage out of the fortress sworn on the Quran by Emperor Aurangzeb, Guru Gobind Singh reluctantly led the Sikhs out of Anandpur. Treachery rapidly ensued, the Mughal army followed the retreating Sikhs, and the Guru’s family got separated. His eldest son Sahibzada Ajit Singh joined a rear guard. Guru ji and his second son Sahibzada Jujhar Singh led the main body of Sikhs. Guru ji’s mother and his two younger sons got separated from him while crossing the flooded River Sarsa after dark. Meanwhile Bhai Deep Singh and Bhai Mani Singh escorted the Guru’s wives Mata Sundari and Mata Sahib across the river to safety in the home of Sardar Jawahar in Delhi.
1706 Damdama
Renunciation of Family Life
Bhai Deep Singh left Delhi and returned to his family home Pahuvind. While there, word reached him that the Guru’s elder sons had both been martyred along with 40 others in a battle at Chamkaur. Following the direction of the Panj Pyare, Guru Gobind Singh had escaped Chamkaur where his sons had been martyred. He fought one more battle against the Mughals at Muktsar where another 40 Khalsa warriors gave their lives. Evading the Mughals Guru ji traveled across the land to safety,to learn that his mother Mata Gurjri and his two younger sons had been captured and turned over to Mughal authorities in Sirhind, where they also had been martyred. Bhai Deep Singh explained to his family that a great time of peril had befallen the entire Khalsa Panth and that he felt it to be imperative that he renounce family life and devote his energies to Guru Gobind Singh and the Panth who had need of his service.
Scribe Duties
Guru Gobind Singh sent word to Bhai Deep Singh and Bhai Mani requesting their presence in Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo). There Guru ji assigned them the task of scribing Guru Granth Sahib which he dictated to them by heart, as the only authentic copy resided with Dhir Mal who would not part with it, as he hoped to oneday usurp the Guru. While dictating the paath, (scripture) as a means to authenticate the scripture and differentiate from other unauthenticated renderings, Guru Gobind Singh added two lines which had been written in a letter to him by his father Guru Teg Bahadar, along with two lines of his own written in reply, to the Dohra of Slok Mahalla Nauva. Slok 54 is credited as “Patashahi Dasvin” in an original Bir created by Bhai Mani Singh, and as “Mahalla 10” in an original Bir created by Bhai Deep Singh, and is credited to the Tenth Guru in all older “puratan” original ancient hand written copies of Guru Granth Sahib. (History of the Sikhs Retold Vol 2 Surjit Singh Ghandi p. 865, Hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Trilochan Singh, Sanpardai Steeks)
ਬਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਬੰਧਨ ਛੁਟੇ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥
Bal hoaa bandhan chhutae sabh kichh hot upaa-e ||
My strength has been restored, and my bonds have been broken; now, I can do everything.ਨਾਨਕ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਮਰੈ ਹਾਥ ਮੈ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਹੋਤ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੫੪॥
Naanak sabh kichh tumarai haath mai tum hee hot sahaa-e ||54||
Nanak: everything is in Your hands, Lord; You are my Helper and Support. ||54||SGGS 1412||
The Sikhs exemplified Guru Granth Sahib as supreme, and the new rendering ensured an authorized authenticity that could not be challenged, so that no other claim to the lineage of Guru could be made thereafter by one such as Dhir Mal, or his descendants, possessing the Adi Granth composed by Guru Arjan Dev. It took several months to complete the Bir (volume), as every word had to be spoken aloud by Guru Gobind Singh and written out by hand by Bhai Mani Singh and Bhai Deep Singh.
At completing the writing of Guru Granth Sahib Bir, Bhai Mani Singh read its entirety continuously aloud and after three days when the Paath reading had completed, ceremoniously installed the Bir at Damdama (Talwandi Sabo) as Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the embodied word of the Eternal Guru. Guru Gobind Singh declared Damdama the Seat of Learning for Sikhs and appointed Bhai Deep Singh as its head Jathadar.
Guru Gobind Singh also commissioned his scribes to complete five copies in all for distribution to the Five Takhats, or Sikh thrones of authority:
- Akal Takhat (Amritsar)
- Takhat Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib)
- Takhat Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo)
- Takhat Patna Sahib (Bihar)
- Takhat Hazur Sahib (Nanded, Maharashtra)
It would take nearly a two decades for these to be completed. During that time Bhai Deep Singh also joined in major battles. Over time he also founded three separate learning centers, all which focused on propagating Gurbani and Sikh philosophy.
1708 Guru Granth Sahib Eternal Guru
Guru Gobind Singh approached the Siddhi master Madho, converted him to Sikhi, had him initiated as a Khalsa Warrior, renamed him Banda Singh Bahadar, admonished him to punish the Mughal tyrants, and appointed him the chief general of the Khalsa armies. On October 7, 1908, Guru Gobind Singh succumbed to a wound inflicted by an assassin several weeks earlier when attempting to draw his bow. When it became apparent that he would not live, Guru Ji designated the authenticated Siri Guru Granth Sahib transcribed by Bhai Deep Singh and Bhai Mani Singh as his eternal successor. Banda Singh Bahadar immediately strategized his campaign to oust tyrannical Mughal rulers.
1709 – 1713 Military Campaigns
Bhai Deep Singh, and his band of warriors joined Banda Singh Bahadar and his Generals, Baj Singh, Binod Singh, Daya Singh, Kahan Singh and Raam Singh in a series of battles fought against Mughal tyrants. They specifically targeted those responsible for the martyrdoms of Guru Gobind Singh’s family including his Father Guru Tegh Bahadar, his elder sons, Sahibzadas Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh at Chamkaur, and in Sirhind the perpetrators who had persecuted the Guru’s younger sons Sahibzadas, Zarowar Singh and Fateh Singh and bricked up alive before being beheaded, and held his elderly mother Mata Gujri locked in a high open tower exposed to the elements where her life ended. Imperial Mughals and their armies had persecuted and slain countless innocent Sikhs, and committed untold numbers of atrocities upon all the peoples of the land. Banda Singh Bahadar advanced to all of the major Mughal strongholds and systematically liberated them.
1709
Battle of Samana – The Khalsa Warriors and their allies punished the executioner, Sayyed Jalal-ud-din, who had beheaded Guru Teg Bahadar at Delhi, as well as, Bashal Beg and Shashal Beg, the executioners who beheaded nine-year-old Zarowar Singh and six-year-old Fateh Singh in Sirhind.
1710
Battle of Sadhaura – Thousands of local Hindus joined with Banda Singh Bahadar, his generals Baj Singh, Binod Singh, the Khalsa warriors including Bhai Deep Singh, and others, to punish the persecutors of Guru Gobind Singh’s ally Sayyid Budhu Shah, and together demolished Imperial stronghold and defeated Mughal Sayyid, Osman Khan, and the Sheikh forces in Sadhaura.
Battle at Banur – Banda Singh Bahadar and the Khalsa warriors including Bhai Deep Singh destroyed the oppressive Mughal regime at Banur nearby Ambala, about 8 and a half miles from Rajapur.
Battle of Chappar Chiri (May 12) – Bhai Deep Singh continued towards with Banda Singh Bahadar towards Sirhind where Guru Gobind Singh’s mother and his younger two sons had been martyred. About 10 miles before they reached Sirhind, its governor Wazir Khan, met them with an army of 20,000 men, along with war elephants, and artillery. Banda Singh and his generals Baj Singh, Binod Singh, and Bhai Fateh Singh, charged fearlessly into the midst of their opponents. Baj Singh, Fateh Singh, and Bhai Deep Singh struck down Wazir Khan, all are credited with decapitating him with their swords, causing him to suffer the same fate that the Khan himself had inflicted upon the innocent young sons of Guru Gobind Singh when he ordered that they be beheaded. Mughal Imperials Sher Muhammad Khand, and Khwaja Ali of Malerkolta, along with many of their fighters also succumbed to the courage of the vastly outnumbered Khalsa warriors.
1711 –1713
Combat
Bhai Deep Singh participated in combat, fighting battles alongside the Khalsa warriors many times over the four-year span that he remained with Banda Singh Bahadar, before returning to scribe duties.
1714 –1716 Amritsar
Bandahi Versus Tatt Khalsa
The capture of Banda Singh Bahadar and his warriors resulted in his martyrdom and thousands of Sikh warriors. During his life he had broken the grip of the Imperial Mughals. His notoriety had given rise to a following the who called themselves Bandahi, and who considered him as their Guru. A split occurred in the Panth between the Bandahi and the Tatt Khalsa who held fast to the instructions of Guru Gobind Singh that Sri Guru Granth Sahib be his eternal successor. The two factions set up in Amritsar each claiming control of Harmandir Sahib. As sentiments, escalated, in order to maintain peace they eventually requested Baba Deep Singh resolve the dispute. He consulted with Bhai Mani Singh and they made a proposal to the contenders which they all agreed to. After performing an Ardaas, two slips of paper, one written with the words “Bandahi” and the other “Taat Khalsa” would be placed in the sacred nectar tank, which ever sank, the claim of that group would be forever rejected, and which ever remained on the surface of the water in the sarovar would forever maintain control. When the papers entered the water, one sank below the surface and the other floated. When retrieved, the Tatt Khalsa prevailed, that the Bandahi relinquished their claim.
1717 – 1728 Return to Damdama
Living Shaheed
Bhai Deep Singh, with his surviving band of warriors, took leave of Banda Singh Bahadar and soldiering to return to his scribe and scholarly duties at Damdama (Talwandi Sabo). He had been working at compiling Dasam Granth, the writings of Tenth Guru Gobind Singh, and came upon a verse he felt to been incorrect and showed it to Bhai Mani Singh.
Mitr piaare noon haal fakeer kahnaa ||
Convey to the dear friend the condition of the beggar
Bhai Deep Singh insisted as Guru Gobind Singh had been no beggar the word should be corrected.
ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਲੁ ਮੁਰੀਦਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਹਣਾ ॥
Mitr piaare noon haal mureedaan daa kahnaa ||
Convey to the dear friend the condition of the disciples
Bhai Mani cautioned that, as it is not permissible to change a single word of Gurbani, a part of himself would have to be given in exchange. Bhai Deep Singh readily agreed that he should gladly lay down his life for the Panth. After that he became known as Baba Deep Singh Shaheed, a living martyr.
Over the years while residing Damdama Baba Deep Singh also immersed himself in further studies and teaching while developing and expanding learning centers, and continued with military training.
1726 – 1628 Completion of Five Saroops
Baba Deep Singh focused on his scribe duties to continue and complete the task of transcribing the remaining Saroops (embodiment) of Guru Granth Sahib for distribution to each of the remaining Thakats which had not yet received theirs. Upon completion of the those Birs (volumes), Baba Deep Singh made one more copy of Guru Granth Sahib in an Arabic script designated for the Middle East.
1732 Rescue of Ala Singh
Baba Deep Singh rescued Sadar Ala Singh when Bhatti Rajputs collaborated with the Nawab of Malerkotla, and an officer of Jalandhar, to lay siege to Barnala nearby Manjh.
1733 – 1935 Formation of Dal Khalsa
Hoping for peace with the Sikhs, the Mughal governor of Lahore offered to appoint Sikh to the position of Nawab and Jagi. Baba Deep Singh and his band of warriors joined the new appointee Nawab Kapur Singh and Amritsar to create a joint force called Dal Khalsa. For ease of administration, they also created two subsequent divisions, the Buddha Dal and the Taruna Dal which divided into a further five subdivisions or Jathas each with its own flag and drum. Baba Deep Singh had command of one of these Jathas. This formal arrangement with the government lasted only until 1935. However, the Sikhs continued to honor the position of Nawab Kapur Singh.
1748 – Reorganization of Misl System
By March of 1748, about 65 different independent Jathas had formed around the country. On March 28, at the Vaisakhi Festival in Amristar, the Jathas reorganized to become 12 armed groups designated as Misls. The biannual council of Sarbatt Khalsa maintained governance of the Misls which had united under Sri Akal Takhat. Of the 12 Misls, 11 organized under Dal Khalsa. Six of these belonged to Buddha Dal, five to Taruna Dal, one remained independent. Any initiated Amritdhari Singh could apply to the Dal Khalsa which consisted of nearly 70,000 mounted Cavalry. The Misls collected revenues in exchange for maintaining protection of territories. Baba Deep Singh resided in a Burj (tower) next to Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) where he remained in residence, and which became the base of Shaheed Misl with its main territory south of River Sutlej.
Buddha Dal
- Ahluwalia Misl – Commanded by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
- Singhpuria Misl (Faizulapuria) – Commanded by Nawab Kapur Singh,
- Karorsinghia Misl – Commanded by Karora Singh
- Nishanavali Misl – Commanded by Dasaundha Singh,
- Shaheed Misl – Commanded by Baba Deep Singh Shaheed
- Dallevalia Misl – Commanded by Gulab Singh Dallewalia
Taruna Dal
- Sukkarchakkia Misl – Commanded by Charhat Singh,
- Bhangi Misl – Commanded by Hari Singh Dhillon,
- Kanhaiya Misl – Commanded by Jai Singh,
- Nakai Misl – Commanded by Sardar Hira Singh,
- Ramgarhia Misl – Commanded by Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.
Independent Misl
- Phulkian Misl – Commanded by Baba Ala Singh of Patalia.
1755 – 1756 Rescue of Captive Woman
During his fourth invasion of India, the Afghan Ahmed Shah Abdali looted cities, towns, and villages in and around Mathura, Bindraban, Agra, and Delhi. His caravans had horses and donkeys carrying packs laden with gold, silver, and other stolen goods. Cries could be heard from carts drawn by bullocks full of thousands of young boys and girls and married woman, who had been captured from both Hindu and Muslim households, and who Abdali planned to add to his harem or auction in slave markets. No one dared to intervene.
When the caravan passed through Punjab and neared Kurukshetra, the Misaldars determined to mount a rescue. Baba Ala Singh and his Phulkian Misl and Baba Deep Singh and his Shaheed Misl accosted the raiders near Sirhind and relieved them of some of their loot and plunder. Baba Deep Singh then proceeded to take up a position with his warriors hidden in the jungle forest near River Markanda. When the caravan neared, warriors rushed their hiding place and split into groups. While some fiercely attacked the Mughal forces, others rescued the carts filled with captives and many of the animals bearing treasure and took them to the safety of their hideouts. The Sikh warriors managed to free 300 girls and woman and 100 young boys from the raiders, and escorted them safely back to their homes. The woman praised the Sikh soldiers, who had rescued and returned the captives unmolested, by singing of their chastity and bravery.
ਮੋੜੀ ਬਾਬਾ ਕੱਛ ਵਾਲਿਆ ਛਈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਤੇ ਰੰਨ ਗਈ ਬਸਰੇ ਨੰੂ ਗਈ
Morhee Baba Kachh Waaleaa Chhaeen Naheen Tae Rann Gaee Basrae Noon Gaee
Courageous Sikhs wearers of Kachha (chaste undergarment), liberate enslaved Women, who would otherwise be taken to Basra.
1757 – Shaheed Supreme Sacrifice
Ahmad Sha Abdali Durrani made good his escape and fled to Lahore where he made plans to punish the Sikhs for interfering with his plunder. He installed his son, Taimur Shah, to govern Lahore, and appointed Jahan Khan the general of his armies and ordered him to demolish Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. The general destroyed the Sikh fortress Ram Rauni. He then demolished the gurdwara, and other buildings, defiled the sarovar (tank) with the remains, and offal of slaughtered animals, filled it up with dirt and debris, and killed countless Sikhs defending their most sacred place of worship.
Baba Deep Singh learned of these atrocities while in Damdama Sahib, and made a vow to drive the Afghanis out of Punjab and recover the sacred grounds of Harmandir Sahib, and never to retreat even in death until he had fulfilled his vow. He performed an ardas promising to reach Harmandir Sahib come what may.
"Sir jaave ta jaave, mera Sikhi sidhak na jaave"
If my head goes, it goes, but do not let go of my Sikhi
At age 75, Baba Deep Singh remained strong and vigorous due to his regular training routine. He picked up this 33-pound double edged khanda, and swung the sword around his head and called for the fighters of his Shaheed Misl join him. Baba ji left Damdama in the hands of his nephew Sada Singh and began marching towards Amritsar with about 1,000 warriors from the villages of Jaga, Bahman, Banjhoke, Bhachjju, Darak, Govindpura, Guruchautra, Kot, Lakhi Jungle, Mehraj, Nahanawala, and Phul.
Word spread and by the time reached Tarn Taran, he had been joined by more than 5,000 volunteers. With only ten miles remaining until they reached Harmandir Sahib, Baba ji took his Khanda and with it made a line in the earth. He called out for only those willing to die fighting to cross the line. The Singhs surged forward eagerly. Baba Deep Singh emphasized the commitment that each fighter had with made with their love of Sikhi by reciting a shabad (hymn) composed by Guru Nanak:
ਜਉ ਤਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਖੇਲਣ ਕਾ ਚਾਉ ॥
Jaou taou prem khelan kaa chaaou ||
If you desire to play this game of love,ਸਿਰੁ ਧਰਿ ਤਲੀ ਗਲੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਉ ॥
Sir dhar talee galee maeree aaou ||
with your head in the palm of your hand step onto My path.ਇਤੁ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪੈਰੁ ਧਰੀਜੈ ॥
I-et maarag pair dhareejai ||
When you place your feet on this path,ਸਿਰੁ ਦੀਜੈ ਕਾਣਿ ਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥੨੦॥
Sir deejai kaan na keejai ||20||
give Me your head, and pay no attention to public opinion. ||20||
November 11
Upon hearing that the Singhs had reached Tarn Taran, Jahan Khan mustered 20,000 fighting men and advanced to meet Baba Deep Singh and his company of 5,000. About five miles from Harmandir Sahib at Goharwal, the two armies met and fierce fighting commenced.
Baba Deep Singh managed to fight his way through another couple of miles until he reached Ramsar, where he engaged in battling Afghan commander Jamal Shah. Each struck the other severing his head. Baba Deep Singh fell, but a young warrior reminded him of his oath to reach Harmandir Sahib still three miles distant. Baba Deep Singh rose clutching his head with his left hand and swinging his sword with the right. Terrorized, the enemies scattered. Baba Deep Singh fought on until he reached the gates of Harmandir Sahib. He thrust his body through the gates and laid his head onto the Parkarma where a monument commemorates the spot his head fell. His Khanda Sword is kept within Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. A second shrine, Shaheedganj Baba Deep Singh Shaheed, immortalizes the spot where Baba Ji fell and rose again in Ramsar, and where the cremation of his remains took place.
Other Mughal commanders slain include Mir Nimat Khan the gatekeeper at Harmandir Sahib, Rustam Ali Khan, Sabar Ali, Zabardast Khan. Those Singhs who kept their vow and fought to the death include Agarh Singh, Bahadur Singh, Balwant Singh, Hari Singh, Hira Singh, Kuar Singh, Mana Singh, Ram Singh, Sajjan Singh, and Sant Singh, and many others.
