Bhai Taru Singh Ji was an 18th-century Sikh and martyr. He chose martyrdom rather than cutting his Kesh (uncut hair) or abandoning Sikhism. He was a farmer and a true Sikh devotee. He lived in Punjab during a time of heavy religious persecution. Bhai Taru Singh Ji earned his livelihood through honest farming (Kirat Karni). From childhood, Bhai Taru Singh Ji read Gurbani and learned about Sikh teachings and history from his mother.
When and where was Bhai Taru Singh ji Born?
Bhai Taru Singh Ji was born in 1720 at Poohla village, Amritsar. He was born into a Sikh jatt family. Bhai Jodh Singh was his father. Bhai Taru Singh's father was a brave Sikh warrior who died in battle when Bhai Taru Singh was a child. There is no record found of his mother's name. Bhai Taru Singh Ji's sister was Bibi Tar Kaur.
When is Bhai Taru Singh's martyrdom date in 2026?
How did Bhai Taru Singh help fellow Sikhs?
Both siblings lived with their mother in their village of Poohla. Bibi Tar Kaur and their mother worked at home for cooking and doing langar seva the whole day. Bhai Taru Singh worked hard to farm. They regularly prepared and served langar (the Sikh community kitchen) for travellers, Sikhs, and the needy. They shared most of their honest earnings with Sikh fighters and the needy. They secretly supplied food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities to Sikh jathas hiding in forests.
The Mughal Rule and Sikh Persecution
Bhai Taru Singh lived during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. Sikhs faced severe persecution during the Mughal rule period because they refused to give up their faith. Earlier Sikh Gurus, including Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, had already made great sacrifices to defend religious freedom and justice. The Sikhs continued fighting against Mughal oppression.
Why was Zakariya Khan searching for Sikhs?
The Mughal rulers started severe oppression against the Sikhs in 1716 after Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji was martyred. Zakariya Khan officially became Governor in 1726 and became one of the cruellest rulers. He announced rewards for killing Sikhs. Zakariya Khan arrested and tortured many Sikhs and ordered many executions. As a result, Sikhs sheltered in forests and hills but continued their struggle for freedom.
How and why was Bhai Taru Singh Ji arrested?
He lived in Poohla village near Amritsar, and many travellers came from Lahore. So he often heard about the cruelty of the Mughal rulers from travellers. He became a devoted Khalsa Sikh after taking Amrit.
Governor Zakariya Khan became even more determined to catch the Sikhs after the killing of Massa Ranghar. Akil Das informed the Mughal authorities about Bhai Taru Singh Ji that he and his sister were helping Sikhs. Mughal soldiers arrested Bhai Taru Singh Ji and his sister Bibi Tar Kaur. Some Sikhs planned to rescue them on the way, but Bhai Taru Singh Ji stopped them. However, villagers paid money to free Bibi Tar Kaur, but Bhai Taru Singh refused to leave.
Where was he taken after his arrest?
Bhai Taru Singh Ji was brought before Governor Zakariya Khan in Lahore. He was asked to leave Sikhism and accept Islam, but he firmly refused. Zakariya Khan ordered Bhai Taru Singh to be tortured. When Bhai Taru Singh Ji still did not change his faith, the governor ordered that his scalp be removed along with his uncut hair (Kesh) instead of cutting his hair. Bhai Taru Singh Ji remained calm and kept remembering Waheguru during this painful torture. He was later cared for by Sikhs, but his injuries were very serious.
What happened to Zakariya Khan after Bhai Taru Singh Ji's martyrdom?
According to Sikh tradition, Zakariya Khan later suffered severe illness and experienced temporary relief only after Bhai Taru Singh Ji's jutti (shoe) touched his head. He died about 22 days later.
Where and when was Bhai Taru Singh Ji martyred?
On 1 July 1745, at the age of 25, Bhai Taru Singh Ji attained martyrdom. Before his last rites, holy water was brought from Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, and his funeral was performed with full Sikh traditions. Bhai Taru Singh Ji was martyred in Lahore, Pakistan. Gurdwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh in Naulakha Bazaar has been established now at that place.
Bhai Taru Singh Ji chose to sacrifice his life rather than allow his Kesh to be cut. Bhai Taru Singh Ji lives a disciplined life – hard work, chanting God's name, and sharing earnings with the needy.