Taksal of Damdama Sahib

To spread the light of Gurbaani in this world, Guru Gobind Singh ji blessed his beloved gursikhs, Baba Deep Singh ji and Baba Mani Singh ji to start Taksal of Gurbaani Vidya. This sewa was handed over by Satguruji to these committed Gursikhs who were parpakk in their Rehat maryada and Gursikhi Jeevan. This Jatha comprised of Gursikhs who had risen above worldy attachments, imbued in Naam simran and Baani Abhyaas. These Gursikhs never fought for any territory or kingdom or wealth, but for Guru, for Panth and for poor.
Baba Deep Singh ji, who was supreme commander of this Jatha never took up any position other than given by Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj. He was senior most Singh in Khalsa panth after Shaheedi of Baba Mani Singh ji, but he never felt any urge to take up any Jathedari or urge to rule. His only mission was to preach Dharam, The Truth to world so that worldly beings, suffering from attachments, greed ,lust ,anger, hatred, ego and mental weakness could rise up from these evils, attach themselves to Gurus Naam and Baani and attain peace. His mission was to spread the truth which Guru Nanak Dev ji had spread in this world, which Ten Gurus and their Baani told this world. It was his firm belief that the day world starts living according to Baani of Guru Granth Sahib ji, this planet would become a heaven. He always took up sword as a last option, as ordered by Guru Gobind Singh ji. For this reason, he dedicated himself to sewa of running the Taksal at Damdama Sahib, where Gursikhs attained Brahmgian and served the mission of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh ji. These Singhs were warrior-saints, who read Baani, preached it to others, inspired people to take Khande da Amrit of Guru and dedicate life to cause of Dharam. At Damdama Sahib Taksal (present day Damdami Taksal), sewa of writing saroops of Guru Granth Sahib ji, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, Baani pothiya, Nitnem Pothiya was carried out along with Shahstarvidya, Katha, Kirtan and Vichar of Baani. These Gursikhs then went to far away places and preached Baani. This Jatha of Singhs was called Shaheeds. While Baba Deep Singh ji lived at Damdama Sahib, Baba Mani Singh ji did sewa at Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar. Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji did sewa in Sri Anandpr Sahiib,while Baba Raam Singh and Baba Fateh Singh ji did sewa in Sr Hazoor Sahib. Nawab kapoor Singh ji, Baba Taara Singh, Baba Shaam Singh , Baba Buddha Singh, Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Baba Darbara Singh were some of the few Gursikhs who had took their Vidya from Baba Deep Singh ji at Taksal of Damdama Sahib. These Gursikhs later formed military Jathas and worked for Charhdi kala of Panth unitedly.
 

The Jatha or Misl led by Baba The Jatha or Misal led by Baba Deep Singh was of Warrior Saints, these were people who had attained Brahmgian, led a Sarblohi jeevan, of rehat, baana and Baani, fully dedicated to cause of Truth. Whenever it was needed, they came into forefront of Panth to lay down their lives and defend panth. Wherever these gursikhs went, they spread the word of Guru to people and inspired thousands to follow Sikhi path of Sant-Sipahi. Students of this Taksal after their vidya went to different places, Jathas and countries to preach Sikhi of Guru Nanak Sahib. Baba Deep Singh ji was approached by Sangat from Arabian countries and they requested him to write Baani of Guru Granth Sahib ji in Arabic, which Babaji did after a year's hardwork. This saroop is presently in Baghdad University. Sindhi people who believed in Guru Nanak dev ji's Baani and preachings and were dedicated to Guru Nanak's mission and teachings also requested Babaji to translate Baani in Sindhi. Babaji wrote Guru Granth Sahib ji's saroop in Sindhi language which Sindhi community has preserved till today. The Fragrance of Sikhi which we have in Arabian countries and Sindhi community is with hard work and dedication of Gursikhs like Baba Deep Singh ji Shaheed. Babaji was a master of various languages like Braj, Persian, Arabic, Sindhi, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati and Marathi. He had a vision of spreading Baani of Gurus to far away lands, to people of different cultures, countries and languages. His firm belief was that Sikhi has to be based on baani, and wherever Baani and Gurmat gyaan will go, Panth and Baana will follow there. Sikhi which is based on Baani and Gurmat is the true Sikhi, which can never be eliminated from this world.
This was the purpose with which Babaji ran the Taksal with blessings of Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj. Other Great parcharks at the time were-:
Baba Mani Singh ji
Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji
Baba Naudh Singh ji
Baba Maliagar Singh ji
Baba Sobha Singh ji (Anand pur Sahib wale)
Baba Santokh Singh ji (Sri Hazoor Sahib Wale)
Baba Gurdial Singh ji
Baba Amar Singh ji
Baba Raam Singh ji Bedi.
Baba Soorat Singh ji.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Mani Singh ji was Supreme spiritual leader of Khalsa Panth, authorized by Guru Gobind Singh ji and Mata Sundari ji. He was the one who guided Panth in turbulent times, always worked for Unity of Panth and upheld Khalsa Principles, whatever be the situation. Babaji's 10 brothers, 7 sons and 6 grandsons had attained Shaheedi for Panth in battles of Anandpur Sahib, Sarsa and Chamkaur Sahib. He lived with his brothers, nephews and other Singhs at Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar and was Mukh Granthi of Darbar Sahib, a position once honoured by Baba Buddha ji. Bhai Mani Singh ji ran the Amritsar Branch of Damdami Taksal at Sri Darbar Sahib. But after he was arrested and Martyred by cutting to pieces by Mughal government of Lahore in 1737, vidyarthis of Amritsar branch of Taksal moved to Sri Damdama Sahib in 1737 and here Taksal worked under the guidance of Baba Deep Singh ji Shaheed . Babaji continued Sikhi parchar in Punjab despite extreme adverse conditions and Vidyarthis would go out and hold Amrit Sanchars in country side and cities of Punjab and get new recruits for Dharam yudh. Babaji led Taksal for 50 years at Damdama Sahib and guided Panth in toughest time of its history. Thousands and thousands Singhs educated from this Taksal of Guru served Sikhi with all their heart, soul and blood.
Jathedar of Jatha Shaheedan and Damdami Taksal, Shaheed Baba Deep Singh ji attained glorious Shaheedi on 10th Feb 1758 for freedom of Sri Darbar Sahib. While he was on his way to liberate Darbar Sahib from Aghan forces, another jewel of Misal Shaheedan/Damdami Taksal, Jathedar Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji Anandpur Sahib Wale also reached with Jatha of 500 Singhs to join ranks of Baba Deep Singh ji. Here Babaji deputed Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji with sewa of Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar,to look after Maryada and Purity of Darbar Sahib and defend Sri Harimandir in case of any future attacks. Babaji appointed Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji Jathedar of Damdami Taksal, staying focussed on Sikhi Parchar and Gurmat vidya and carrying out daily sewa at Darbar Sahib. Baba Sudha Singh ji Shaheed was deputed on Jangi pehra of Misal Shaheedan.

 

After Baba Gurbaksh Singh ji's Shaheedi, Darbar Sahib was blown up with canons and destroyed. Khalsa Panth gathered after defeating Abdali's army six months later and built Darbar Sahib again. Baba Soorat Singh ji took up sewa of Sri Darbar Sahib and also sewa of running Taksal at Darbar Sahib. Slowly things became normal and Khalsa Panth rose up again, Kesri Nishan flew from Kabul Kandahar to Delhi and Sikhs became rulers of Punjab. After Baba Soorat Singh ji, Bhai Gurdas Singh ji took up sewa of Mukh Granthi/Mukhi Damdami Taksal and started sewa. Baba Sant Singh ji Giani became Mukh Granthi and Mukhi of Damdami Taksal after his elder brother, Bhai Gurdas Singh ji went to sachkhand.

Giani Babaji led a very humble life and was always immersed in Naam sewa simran. He would carry out Santhya between Darshani Deorhi and Sri Akaal Bunga and hundreds of Bhujang/Nihang Singhs took vidya from him. He did Katha everyday at Sri Darbar Sahib and overlooked vidya of Singhs staying in various Bungas around Darbar Sahib. Shere-Punjab Maharaja Ranjeet Singh ji had very deep respect for Giani Baba Sant Singh ji. Legend has it that once he offered Giani ji with a very large Jagir (territory) for his Family and Singhs. Babaji simply smiled and said 'Ranjeet Singh, tomorrow morning I have to show my face to Guru Arjan Dev ji Maharaj in Darbar Sahib. What will he say? That I, being his servant, took alms from someone else? Rememeber, I'm hazoori sewadar of Guru whom you beg everyday, why should I take something from you? I have My Guru and I'm quiet satisfied with what my master has given me'. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was awestruck, he couldn't believe his ears, all the Sadhus, parcharaks, Sants he met till that day had only one wish, that King gives them something, but here was a Mahapurakh who refused to take anything. Maharaja Sahib used to hear Gurbani Katha and Vichar from Giani ji whenever he came to Sri Amritsar. His Son Maharaja Kharak Singh and grandson Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh were students of Giani ji. In 1825, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh told Gianiji about his wish to do Gold sewa on Sri Darbar Sahib. Gianiji agreed to overlook the sewa, and this sewa was completed in few months time. During his life, Babaji gave Gurbani vidya to hundreds of students and did immense Panthic sewa, strictly regularizing Maryada of Sri Darbar Sahib other sewas. It was by his inspiration that Kanwar Naunihal Singh did sewa of Amrit Sarovar,Sri Darbar Sahib and TarnTaaran sahib. Some if his students were,

• Kavi Bhai Santokh Singh ji
• Kavi Bhai Jodh Singh ji
• Maharaja Kharak Singh ji
• Kanwar Naunihal Singh ji
• Bhai Ram Singh ji

After Gianiji went to sachkhand in 1832, his son Bhai Bhagwan Singh ji took up sewa of Darbar Sahib and Taksal. After Bhai Bhagwan Singh singh ji, Baba Daya Singh ji started doing sewa. This time around in 1846, British captured Punjab and their main concern was to stop any revolt by Sikhs. It was important to divide and confuse Sikhs so that they don't take path of armed struggle against British. They knew that Sikhs believed in concept of Miri-Piri and its Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Akaal Bunga and their Gurudwaras where they take their inspiration from. Last 140 years of Sikh history told them how Gurbaani, Sikhi and Khalsa traditions played an important role in uniting and inspiring Sikhs to rise against Mughals, Persians and Afghans, throw them out of Punjab and create independent Khalsa Raaj. To finish any possiibilty of any such thing happening, they worked on a three pronged strategy.

1. Decimate physically the Akali Khalsa Warriors (Nihang Singhs )
2. Remove Shaheeds from Sri Darbar Sahib and other Gurudwaras of Punjab
3. Divide and Confuse Sikhs so much that they are unable to concentrate on armed revolt against British Empire.

Akali Khalsa warriors of Misal Shaheedan, who stayed at Sri Akaal Bunga were deceived in battles of Mudki, Patiala and Sohana and martyred. Remaining Singhs were killed in land of Sri Hazoor Sahib by fake nihangs.
Baba Bhagwan Singh ji, who led Shaheed Jatha (Hazoori Sewadars of Sri Darbar Sahib, present day Damdami Taksal) were forced to go out of Sri Darbar Sahib,even Sri Amrtisar sahib and were forced to set up Deras in countryside Punjab. Udasis and Nirmalas were given control over these centres of Sikh religion., all anti- gurmat traditions and practices were started at these holiest of holy places of Sikh faith which led to many Sikh movements including Nirankari movement, Kooka Movement and finally Singh Sabha Movement was launched, thuse dividing Sikhs and taking them away from goal of establishment of Khalsa raaj.

This Jatha of Gursikhs continued doing Sikhi parchar and sewa despite extreme difficult conditions. Baba Daya Singh ji gave sewa of Taksal to Baba Harnaam Singh ji Bedi and from them; sewa was taken over by Baba Bishan Singh ji Muralewale. Babaji set up a strong Centre for continuing the Mission of Guru Gobind Singh ji's Taksal and gave sewa of Taksal to Baba Sundar Singh ji Khalsa.

Baba Sundar Singh ji moved the base of Taksal to Malwa area, in Bhindar kala village and started his parchar. This was the time of Sikh revivalist movement and Panth was struggling hard to free its Guru Darbars from corrupt Mahants, Nirmalas and Udasis. Baba Sundar Singh ji took active part in this struggle, leading Sant Samaj alongwith Baba Attar Singh ji Mastuana. Infact, Babaji was the main crowd-puller in Malwa region of Punjab and at his meetings, 15-20,000 Sikhs used to gather. This hit his health badly, but he continued his sewa. After Gurudwaras were freed and SGPC was created, Babaji carried on his parchar. Baba Sundar Singh ji left for Sachkhand in 1930, giving Sewa of running Taksal to Baba Gurbachan Singh ji. Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh ji once again revived the Shaheedi spirit of Shaheed Jatha, regularized Taksal and its centres and did immense Sikhi sewa for 39 years. Baba Gurbachan Singh ji gave Gurmat Vidya thousands of Gursikhs, who later served Panth with 'Tan, Mann and Dhann' and hundreds are still serving Panth. Babaji became Mukhi of Sant Samaj at his time, did katha of Guru Granth Sahib ji 27 times in his life in different cities, towns and villages across India. In 1969, Baba Gurbachan Singh ji handed over sewa of Taksal to Sant Baba Kartar Singh ji and left for Sachkhand.

Baba ji shifted centre of Taksal to Mehta in Amritsar and carried on Sikhi Sewa, taking on Pakhandi Dehdhrai Gurus, fake babey and oppressive regime of Indian Prime minister Indira Gandhi. In year 1975, when Indira Gandhi imposed emergency in India, Santji took out 33 Nagar Kirtans in Punjab in memory of 300th Shaheedi diwas of Guru Teg Bahadur ji, giving out clear signals to oppressive regime that Khalsa can never be kept down and low or subjugated. After leading Taksal in service of Panth for 8 years, Sant Kartar Singh ji met with an accident and went to Sachkhand , giving Sewa of Taksal to Sant Giani Jarnail Singh ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. Sant Jarnail Singh ji Khalsa became 14th Jathedar of Baba Deep Singh ji's Taksal and continued the parchar after Sant Kartar Singh ji in Charhdi kala. Sant Jarnail Singh ji woke up the sleeping Khalsa Nation to its true identity, of being Khalsa warriors, to take path of Dharam yudh and fulfil dream of Gurus and Shaheeds and establish Khalsa Raaj. The Shaheed Jatha, The Taksal of Damdama Sahib, under leadership of Sant Baba Jarnail Singh ji Khalsa got into its Puratan role of leading Sikh panth and Santji started Dharam Yudh morcha in 1982 to liberate Khalsa Panth from slavery and create Khalsa Raaj, based on Gurmat principles of Sewa, Simran and Sacrifice. To stop this Panthic awakening and unity, Sri Darbar Sahib ji was attacked by Indian forces on 3rd June 1984. A bloody battle took place in Darbar Sahib Complex, where Naam Baani spirited Gursikhs, who counted little around 240, took on a 100,000 strong Indian Army and held on for three days. On 6th June Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib was destroyed with Tank and Rocket Fire, hundreds of Singhs gave Shaheediya defending Sri Darbar Sahib and thousands of Sikh sangat were massacred by invading Indian Army. But the Jathedar of this Jatha of Martyrs, Damdami Taksal, Sant Jarnail Singh ji Khalsa was ordered by Panj Piare to leave Parkarma and Sanji went Gupt that day.