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Misal Shaheedan (earlier known
as Jatha Shaheedan) was one of the most honoured and brave Jatha of
Khalsa Panth. To be part of this Jatha, one had to be highly
disciplined, parpakk (firm) in Rehat Maryada and Naam Baani Abhyaasi.
Singhs of this Jatha carried titles of Shaheeds and Nihangs and to
reach the state of Shaheed or Nihang, one had to sacrifice his ego
and his self at Guru's feet.
 They fought for Guru and Dharam, for poor and helpless, not for
riches or kingdoms. They were servants of Panth who had dedicated
their lives for Charhdi kala of Panth. These Singhs were guardians
of Khalsa Panth's great principles, as enshrined in Baani of Guru
Granth Sahib ji Maharaj and Sri Dasam Granth. They served as
custodians and keepers of Guru Darbars and Guru Maryada. Whole of
Panth respected them and whenever Panth met, it was Shaheeds who
were given the prominent place and utmost respect. The glow on their
faces reflected the shine of Naam and Baani, the purity of thoughts
and deeds in their hearts.
Misal Shaheedan was led by Sri Maan Baba Deep Singh ji Shaheed for
52 years, from 1706 to 1758. This was the time when Panth fought the
bloodiest battles for its survival and freedom. It was necessary to
keep the numbers of Sikhs growing as there were Shaheediya everyday.
Babaji and his Jatha held regular Amrit sanchars in countryside of
Punjab. Historians have neglected the fact that it was not only
Singhs from Majha or Malwa regions of Punjab who were fighting for
Panth in Punjab, Singhs from Pothohar region, from Kabul, Kandhar,
Southern Punjab and Delhi also took part in this movement. It was
due to parchar and sewa of Gursikhs of those times that Sikhi
maryada was not compromised even in most difficult times. It was
Jeevan of parcharks of that time which attracted thousands everyday
to join Khalsa Panth, despite the fact that thousands died everyday.
Jatha Shaheedan was renamed Misal Shaheedan in 1748. Its
Headquarters were at Sri Damdama Sahib, but Shaheeds did sewa and
parchar by remaining chakkarvarti also. This Misal didn't enter into
internal feuds with other Misals of Khalsa Panth after Mughals and
Afghans were thrown out of Punjab by Dal Khalsa. While other Misals
fought over territories, Singhs from Misal Shaheedan concentrated on
Sikhi parchar and upholding Panthic ideals of Sewa, Simran and
Sacrifice. It was due to this very reason that in 1737, after
winning Barnala area, Baba Deep Singh ji handed it over to Baba Ala
Singh. In 1751, Misal won Sialkot area but Baba Deep Singh ji handed
over administration of area to Baba Natha Singh ji and Baba Dyaal
Singh ji. Whatever revenue was collected was used for building
Gurudwara Babe di Ber in Sialkot where Guru Nanak Dev ji visted Bhai
Moola Khatri thrice and where Maharaj gave him bachans to liberate
him in Tenth form.
In 1753, ruler of Jalandhar,Nasir Khan, attacked Gurudwara Thamm
Sahib in Kartarpur and burnt it down. Sodhi Vadbhag Singh ran away
to mountains and sent a letter to Baba Deep Singh ji to help him.
Babaji, along with Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia took a promise from
Sodhi that he would take Amrit and join Khalsa Panth. Sodhi Vadbhag
Singh did as asked and took Amrit from Panj Piare and became a part
of Khalsa Panth. A United Khalsa Fauj of Misal Shaheedan and Misal
Ahluwalia attacked Ruler of Jalandhar and he was killed in the
ensuing battle. After the revenge was over, time to share the
territory came. Doaba was a prosperous region and some Singhs
advised Baba Deep Singh ji to take over the area as it would be
betterment for Misal's fortunes, but Babaji refused and instead
handed over the entire region to Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. It may
be mentioned that Baba Jassa Singh ji respected Baba Deep Singh ji a
lot and had taken his Vidya from Baba Mani Singh ji, Baba Deep Singh
ji and Baba Kapoor Singh ji. Baba Jassa Singh ji served Khalsa Panth
as Nishanchi Singh under Baba Kapoor Singh ji and after Babaji's
demise in 1753, he was appointed Jathedar of Buddha Dal
(confederation of Five Misals). Whenever Baba Deep Singh ji came to
Jalandhar area for Parchar and Sewa, Baba Jassa Singh ji used to
accompany Babaji. He was like a Son to Baba Deep Singh ji, for this
reason Babaji gave away Doaba region to Baba Jassa Singh ji
Ahluwalia, where Babaji set up city of Kapurthala and made it his
capital.
Baba Deep Singh ji served Khalsa Panth as a humble servant for 57
years and after such great sewa, Baba ji attained Supreme Shaheedi
in Battle of Amritsar Sahib for freedom of Darbar Sahib Sri Amritsar
and laid down his head in Parkarma of Darbar Sahib.
After Baba Deep Singh ji's Shaheedi on 10th February 1758, Baba
Sudha Singh ji became Jathedar of Misal Shaheedan. He was nephew of
Baba Deep Singh ji and equally Charhdi Kala Gursikh. He attained
Shaheedi in 1760 for protection of Darbar Sahib.
Jathedar Baba Karam Singh ji was third Jathedar of Misal. He came in
Misal at very young age and took his vidya from Baba Deep Singh ji.
He was the one who led Misal Shaheedan during the 'Vadda
ghallughara'(bigger holocaust ) of 5th Feb 1762. Eight misals fought
in this Jang under command of Baba Jassa Singh ji Ahluwalia, who
himself took 22 cuts on his body in this Jang. It's often said that
Beerhs of Guru Granth Sahib ji were lost in this Jang, but according
to Mahapurakh Baba Hardev Singh ji, Singhs had safely sent Saroops
of Maharaj to a Dera near Kharar before Ahmed Shah could attack
Khalsa Panth. Baba Karam Singh ji led Misal Shaheedan for 21 years.
He was Grihasthi and during his time, he marked an area in Ambala
named Shahzadpur to be colony of Grihasthi Singhs of Misal. So while
Grihasthi Singhs settled in Ambala area after Singhs took over
Punjab in 1774, the Bhujang Singhs remained Chakarvarti serving Guru
Darbars and doing Parchar.
 After Baba Karam Singh ji left for Sachkhand in 1781, Buzurg Baba
Natha Singh ji became Jathedar of Misal Shaheedan. He was the one
who had remained with Baba Deep Singh ji all his life, serving as
incharge of Sialkot and Jalandhar area when Babaji was doing sewa of
Gurudwara Babe di ber and Gurudwara Thamm Sahib.
Akali Baba Naina Singh ji headed the Misal in 1784, after demise of
Baba Natha Singh ji Shaheed. Babaji stayed at Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib
as Baba Jassa Singh ji had gone to sachkhand and other Misaldars
were busy increasing their territories, fighting each other
sometimes in process. It came upon Singhs of this Jatha to take care
of Guru Darbars. Babaji started staying at Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib
and looked after political affairs of Panth, including working as
mediator sometimes between various Misals. It was during Babaji's
time that term 'Akali' was used for Nihang Singhs. Babaji served
Khalsa Panth for 16 years and went to Sachkhand in 1800 A.D
Jathedar Akali Baba Phoola Singh ji was 6th Jathedar of Misal
Shaheedan. He was son of Bhai Isher Singh ji. Bhai Isher Singh ji
got fatally injured in a battle and asked his friend Baba Naina
Singh from Shaheeda di Misal to look after his son. Babaji adopted
Baba Phoola Singh ji and gave him Gurmat Vidya and Shastar Vidya.
Babaji was sent to Sri Anandpur Sahib by Baba Naina Singh ji to do
sewa. Legend has it that British had planned to take over Punjab in
the restless period of 1798-1799. As a 8,000 strong British Army
camped on east bank of River Satluj, Baba Phoola Singh ji camped on
west bank. One Singh reported to Babaji about the British plans to
enter Punjab, which infuriated Babaji. He took out his Tega and
ordered his Bhujang Singhs to get ready. Singhs asked for Babaji's
orders, upon which Babaji ordered 'Chatka do' (finish them in one
blow). Nihang Singhs attacked British regiment and within hours,
8000 soldiers were cut down. The General, badly wounded saved his
life with couple of soldiers and reported to the Governor General
that till the Akalis of Punjab are strong, no one can win over
Punjab. Wait till they are weakened or decimated.
Baba Phoola Singh ji came to Sri Amritsar in 1800 after Baba Naina
Singh ji left for Sachkhand and his Jatha lived at what we today
know as 'Burj Baba Phoola Singh ji ' in Sri Amritsar. He was the one
entrusted with Sewa of Akaal Bunga. This was the times of Panth's
Charhdi kala. Where all other Misals had taken Jagirs from Maharaj
Ranjeet Singh and accepted his supremacy, Misal Shaheedan remained
free from authority of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, owing allegiance only
to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and Khalsa Panth. When Akali Babaji
refused to take any territory for Singhs as Jagir, Maharaja Ranjeet
Singh ji fixed a monthly amount of rations and money for sewa of
Singhs, as they were the armed custodians of traditions of Panth.
Grihasthi Singhs of Misal from Shahzadpur area regularly sent sewa
for Chhaunis based at Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib and Sri Damdama Sahib.
It was with Hukam of Singhs like Baba Sahib Singh Bedi and Baba
Phoola Singh ji that Kingdom of Punjab was called 'Khalsa Raj' or
'Sarkar Khalsa' and not Maharaja Ranjeet Singh's Raaj. It was on
this condition that Akali Nihangs assisted Maharaja Sahib in every
Jang and won every Jang they fought, including Jang of Kasoor, Jang
of Peshawar, Jang of Multan and Jang of Hazara. In 1823, battle of
Naushera, Akali Baba Phoola Singh ji attained Shaheedi fighting in
frontlines. And thus fell the first pillar of Khalsa Raaj.
After Baba Phoola Singh ji, Buzurg Baba Hanumaan Singh ji became
Jathedar of Misal Shaheedan. Babaji was not much active in politics
and dedicated his life serving Panth and Guru Darbars. It was during
this time Dogras took over main positions in Lahore Darbar and
became powerful. Akali Nihangs were mostly confined to sewa of
Gurudwaras and Parchar. After death of Maharaj Ranjeet Singh in
1839, there was a time of chaos. The Singhs who had seen the battles
of Khalsa, who had built Khalsa Empire with their blood, saw it
going down to in-fighting between family of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.
There was no one whom the heirs of Shere-Punjab listened. Baba
Phoola Singh ji, Baba Sahib Singh ji, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa had
gone after serving Panth, Sardar Sham Singh had left the Army of
Shere Punjab after he made Dhian Singh Prime minister of Khalsa Raaj.
It was Khalsa Raaj just for name, actually Dogras ruled over it.
This pained the Gursikhs who had shed their blood for Panth. In
1844, Baba Bir Singh ji Naurangabad wale were Martyred by Hira Singh
Dogra and his Army. Sikhs killed Hira Singh and Duleep Singh was
made Emperor of Punjab, at age of 6. British had been waiting for
this moment from last 45 years, to strike at Punjab. First
Anglo-Sikh war started in 1845 and Khalsa Army was defeated in
battle of Ferushehar. In the battle of Mudki, Maharani Jind Kaur
requested Baba Hanumaan Singh ji to fight for Khalsa Fauj. Babaji
upon her benti entered the battlefield with his Akali Fauj and
crossed over Satluj River into East Punjab, which was under British
rule. On this Bank, British suffered heavy causalities and
retreated. As Akali Fauj saw British retreat, they thought that
battle had been won and moved over deeper into Malwa area. On the
other hand, after Akalis moved in Malwa region and Khalsa fauj on
west bank came bank to their camps, British army re-appeared and
claimed victory in battle.
Babaji was 70 at that time, and with remaining True Warrior Sons of
Guru Gobind Singh ji, who had been fighting for Panth from last 140
years, from time of Baba Deep Singh ji, entered Patiala area, and
came to the Gurudwara which we today know as Gurudwara Dukh Niwaran
Sahib in Patiala. Here Babaji camped with his Jatha of Nihang Singhs
, but Raja Karam Singh of Patiala and British Army attacked Khalsa
Fauj here with canons. As hundreds of Singhs attained Shaheedi,
Khalsa Fauj started withdrawing to country side. There were three
main battles in this period of three days. First one was at Bageechi
Baba Bamba Singh in Patiala, second near Morh Shaheeda (Near rajpura)
and Third and final battle fought by Misal Shaheedan was at Sohana
where Jathedar Baba Hanumaan Singh ji and his 500 brave soldiers
attained Shaheedi fighting thousands of British and Patiala Army.
Some Singhs including Jathedar Baba Prehlad Singh ji, who numbered
around 20, survived this massacre critically injured. There was no
place left for these Singhs as by now, whole of Punjab had been
captured by British and there was no safe place for Singhs. Singhs
planned to head south towards Sri Hazoor Sahib, stay there for a
while and return to Punjab to launch war against British Empire. But
as this small Jatha of Singhs reached near Sri Hazoor Sahib, Pujaris
of Hazoor Sahib led by head Pujari Ala Singh, who himself dressed up
as Nihang Singh,but were heavily influenced by Udasi, Nirmala and
other Hindufied sects attacked this small Jatha of wounded and tired
Singhs. In the ensuing battle, Jathedar Baba Prahlad Singh ji and
his Jatha attained Shaheedi, but not before killing Ala Singh and
many from his group.
This was the final battle of Misal Shaheedan in 19th century. Misal
carried the honour of being the supreme Jathebandi of Khalsa Panth,
with Gursikhs always ready to fight for and lay down Lives for
honour of Guru and Panth. These Gursikhs were the one who had
overcome worldly attachments and were deeply imbued in Naam Baani
and Sewa. They were Sarablohi Shastardhari Khalsa Warriors who
fought like Lions in Battlefield, were humble like Doves, served
others as Servants of Guru and led a life full of compassion and
piety. For them, Guru Granth Sahib ji Maharaj, teachings of Ten
Gurus and great principles of Sikhi were the supreme, much higher
than rites and rituals of Hindus and Muslims. For Guru they lived
and for Guru they died. Their real power came from their highly pure
Gursikhi jeevans, which they had through Naam kamaai, Sewa, Simran,
dedication towards Guru and faith that their Guru is always Ang-Sang.
Some Singhs from this Misal, who lived separately from Dal with
their families survived this massacre and carried on legacy of Great
Warriors of Khalsa Panth, who according to tradition, had been
blessed by Guru Gobind Singh ji to be Immortals and come again and
again to serve Sikhi of Guru. The Holy blood of Great Khalsa
Warriors, the brave Akali Nihangs has coloured Land of Punjab from
early 18th century. There is not even an inch of Punjab's land where
blood of these brave warriors hasn't been spilled. They laid down
their lives for Panth whenever called upon, without worrying about
their own self, their bodies, their families and children. 85%
Shaheeds in earlier period of Jatha were Bhujangis (bachelor),such
was their dedication and commitment to Guru and Panth. We have
stories of Singhs who were born in jungles, grew up in Jungles,
lived their youth in jungles and attained Shaheedi in Jungles. Who
never had any dream in their eyes except Charhdi Kala of Panth. They
didn't fight for their Raaj or Kingdom; they fought for Kingdom of
Guru, of Peace, for equality and purity.
As said by many Mahapurakhs, A day will come when these Naam Baani
Abhyaasi, Sarablohi, Shastardhai Khalsa warriors will rise again
from within Panth with Guru's Kirpa,unite again and walk on path of
Shaheediya, spill their blood, destroy Evil and establish Khalsa
Raaj on this planet fulfilling bachans of Guru Gobind Singh ji.
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