From Afganistan & Beyond :

Ahmad Shah Abdali: & Baba Deep Singh :

Baba Dip Singh was a Jat Sikh belonging to the village, Pahuwind in the district of Amritsar. He was tall, strong,
and uncommonly brave. He had received baptism from the hands of Guru Gobind Singh himself. He was a bold
aid fearless saint-warrior, ever ready to risk his life for the Panth. He took a praiseworthy part in many battles of Baba Banda Singh and helped him to win victories. Besides being a strong and fearless warrior, he was a great scholar. In fact, he was one of the most scholarly Sikhs of his time. Along with Bhai Mani Singh, he helped Guru Gobind Singh in preparing the final text of Guru Granth Sahib at Damdama Sahib. Afterwards, too, he stayed and worked at that sacred place. He was in charge of that gurdwara. He spent his time in preparing copies of Guru Granth Sahib. Some he wrote with his own hand. Others he got written under his direct supervision.

Copies of the Sacred Book written in his own hand or issued by him with his approval were accepted as most authentic. At the time that we are talking of, Ahmad Shah Abdali was in India on his fourth invasion. On his return from Delhi, he stayed for some time at Lahore. He had experienced a good deal of trouble at the hands of the
Sikhs. Hence, while staying at Lahore, he sent out a force to punish the Sikhs at Amritsar. The city was plundered. The sacred buildings, including Sri Darbar Sahib, were demolished. The sacred tank was filled up. The news of
what had been done to the holy places at Amritsar soon reached Damdama Sahib. On hearing it, Baba Deep
Singh felt as if an arrow had pierced his heart. He at once decided to go to Amritsar and avenge the insult to the sacred places there. No sooner said than done. He started immediately.

A band of five hundred Sikhs volunteered to accompany him. He announced that the coming Diwali festival would be celebrated ,at Amritsar. Sikhs went on joining him as he went along. By the time he reached Tarn Taran, he had about five thousand men with him. All of then were eager to win martyrdom in the sacred cause. All of them bathed in the sacred tank of Tarn Taran. Then they offered prayers. They put on the dress of bridegrooms. They tied festal ribbons called ganas on their wrists. They sprinkled saffron on their robes. Thus dressed, they marched forth to
wed Princess Death. Jahan Khan, deputy governor of Lahore, learnt that the Sikhs were gathering at Amritsar to celebrate their annual fair. At that time , one Haji Atai Khan was moving about with a large force.

His object was to put down opposition and disorder in the country- side. Jahan Khan ordered Atai Khan to march upon Amritsar and punish the Sikhs. At the same time, a jehad or holy Muhammedan war was proclaimed with the beat of drums. All Muhammedans were called upon to join the army of mujahids, or soldiers bent upon holy war, against the rebel Sikhs. Jahan Khan was thus able to collect two thousand horsemen. He proceeded at their head
to meet the Sikhs advancing under Baba Dip Singh. The two forces met near Gohalwar, halfway between Tarn Taran and Amritsar.

The Sikhs fought with such force and bravery that the Muhammedan army fled in all directions. Jahan Khan tried to rally them with threats. But his threats had no effect on the fleeing mujahids. By then, Atai
Khan came with a large army and artillery. His arrival turned the odds against the Sikhs. A fierce battle began. The Sikhs, with Baba Dip Singh at their head, went on fighting and advancing towards Amritsar. When they reached
near Ramsar, Baba Dip Singh received a mortal cut in his neck. He was about to fall. Just then, a Sikh near him
said, 'Baba ji you had Prayed that you should fall a martyr in the precincts of Darbar Sahib. But you seem to be departing here.

' Baba Dip Singh's head had been almost separated from his neck. On hearing the Sikh's words he rallied at once. He held and supported his head with his left hand. With the right hand, he went on wielding his heavy Khanda, or two-edged sword, and cutting down the enemies. Thus fighting, he reached the precincts of Sri Darbar Sahib. His vow and prayer were fulfilled. He fell there to become a martyr. This happened in the year 1757. At the place
where he was wounded stands a temple in his memory. It is called Shahid Ganj, Baba Dip Singh.

[*Excerpt from : Stories from Sikh History ; By Dr. Kartar Singh & Principal Gurdial Singh Dhillon: pub Hemkunt Press New Delhi.]

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