New Delhi, 12 May (H.S.): Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has paid tribute to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on the occasion of Sirhind Fateh Diwas and extended his greetings to fellow citizens. Writing on X, Shah described Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as a symbol of unshakable faith, complete dedication to the motherland, and extraordinary courage in the face of injustice. He noted that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur organised peasants and led their struggle against oppression, defeated the Mughals, and left behind an immortal message of self‑respect, valour, and the protection of faith.

The Home Minister said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a deeply spiritual person with the heart of an ascetic and an invincible warrior in the defence of religion. Despite enduring countless tortures, he refused to accept religious conversion. Shah added that his life would remain an enduring source of inspiration for the protection of the nation and religion.

It is noteworthy that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was born on 27 October 1670 in the Rajouri (Poonch) region of Jammu and Kashmir. His birth name was Lachhman Dev, and later, after renouncing worldly life, he came to be known as Madho Das Bairagi. In 1708, after meeting Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Nanded, he was given the name ‘Banda Singh Bahadur’ and entrusted with the leadership of the Khalsa army. He achieved victory at Samaana in 1709 and in 1710 defeated the Mughal governor Wazir Khan in the Battle of Sirhind.

By granting land ownership rights to peasants in Punjab, he abolished the feudal zamindari system and established the first Sikh state. Banda Singh Bahadur was captured by the Mughals in 1715 and, after enduring prolonged torture, was martyred in Delhi on 9 June 1716. His life is regarded as an immortal symbol of courage, self‑respect, and the defence of faith.

Sirhind Fateh Diwas is observed every year in the month of May, particularly between 12 and 14 May, because in 1710 Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji achieved a historic victory over Sirhind and defeated the Mughal governor Wazir Khan during this period. This day is commemorated to honour his historic triumph and the establishment of the first Sikh state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar