Baj Singh

Sardar Baj Singh (died 1716), also known as Baj Bahadur, was a Sikh general, governor, scholar and martyr from present-day India.

Family

Singh was born in a Bal Jat family native to Mirpur Patti, a village in Amritsar district of the Punjab.[1] His elder brother was Sardar Bhagwant Singh Bangeshwar. Bhai Mani Singh was his cousin.

Umrah of Bangash

He was an umrah of Sarkar-e-Bangash on whose throne was his elder brother Sardar Bhagwant Singh Bangeshwar. He led a cavalry of 2000 horsemen. He was much acclaimed for his bravery and ferocity.

Attack on Sirhind

In the battle of Sirhind fought at Chappar Chiri in May 1710, Baj Singh was in command of the right wing of Banda Singh`s army. He faced Nawab Wazir Khan in the battle striking his horse down with a lance. This led to the fall of Sarkar-e-Sirhind. Sardar Baj Singh became first governor of Khalsa Raj after this battle.

Execution

He was executed on 9 June 1716 on the outskirts of Delhi, on the bank of the Yamuna river along with his seven brothers and Banda Singh Bahadur.

Brave feat during execution

It said by the writers of the Mughal court in their memoirs, that at Baj Singh's execution, the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar asked tauntingly where is the brave Baj Singh whom whole Mughal army feared, where is his bravery now? Baj Singh was shackled, but replied "I am Baj Singh. You have tied my feet and hands in iron chains, open one of them I will let you know of my bravery." Then his feet were freed, but with his hands still tied. Baj Singh snatched the sword of a nearby soldier and killed 16 men on the spot while the emperor fled.

Battles fought by Baj Singh

References
  1. Gupta, Hari Ram (2001). History of the Sikhs: The Sikh commonwealth or Rise and fall of Sikh misls. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 6. ISBN 978-8121501651. Retrieved 24 November 2018. Baj Singh was a Bal Jat of village Mirpur in Parganah Patti1 of Amritsar district.
  2. "farrukhsiyar". Columbia.edu. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
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