By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Death Anniversary
ਜਉ ਤਉ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਖੇਲਣ ਕਾ ਚਾਉ ਸਿਰ ਧਰ ਤਲੀ ਗਲੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਆਉ
(If you want to play this game follow my path with your head on your palm)
Baba Deep Singh, regarded as one of the greatest Generals of the Sikh Army, had vowed to avenge the desecration of the Golden Temple by the Afghan army headed by Ahmad Shah Durrani. When he heard that the Afghan Army was again moving towards Amritsar he led his army of handful soldiers to defend the Golden Temple. On his way to Amritsar few more Sikh soldiers joined him to even the score.
The Sikhs and the Afghans clashed face-to-face in the Battle of Amritsar. Fierce raged the fight it was hard to tell what would betide. Though outnumbered he showed exemplary courage & determination with handful of soldiers in the battle field. It was indeed a war of nerves that forced the rival army to flee. Deep Singh, then aged 75, faced commander Jahan Khan of the rival Afghan army in a one-to-one fight. The fight ensued longer & in the end the Heads of both were cut off.
To fulfill his vow-“May my head fall at the Darbar Sahib” Baba Deep Singh marched towards Golden Temple with his cut off Head on his palm. On reaching the Golden Temple he breathed his last in the Parikrama ( precincts of the Golden Temple) where a Gurudwara Sahib is situated in his memory. He was the first Head of Shaheedan Misl & Damdami Taksal & was known as one of the most skilled swordsmen in the entire Sikh history who fought many battles including the battle of Chappar Chiri. Born 26 January 1682 to Bhai Bhagata Ji and Mai Jeoni Ji, the Sikh Scholar & saint known for his unrivaled Valor died on 13 November 1757.
