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DAN SINGH was a Brar Jatt
of the village of Mahima Sarja in present-day
Bathinda district of the Punjab, joined
along with his son the contingent of
Brars raised by Guru Gobind Singh after
his escape from Chamkaur in December
1705. Dan Singh by virtue of his devotion
and daring soon won the Guru's trust
as well as the leadership of the Brar
force. The anonymous author of Malva
Des Ratan di Sakhi Pothi states that
he was appointed asupali (asvapal) or
keeper of horses.
It was at his suggestion that Guru
Gobind Singh chose a high ground near
the dhab or pool of Khidrana (now known
as Tibbi Sahib near Muktsar), to defend
himself against the pursuing host of
the faujdar of Sirhind. When, during
the Guru's journey towards Talvandi
Sabo, the Brars became restive and demanded
their arrears of pay from the Guru,
Dan Singh tried to pacify them and advised
them to be patient. As they remained
adamant and sought immediate payment,
the Guru halted in the open near Chhateana
village and disbursed pay to all men
who, according to the Malva Desh Ratan
di Sakhi Pothi, numbered 500 cavalry
and 900 foot. At the end, as the Guru
asked Dan Singh to come forward and
receive his pay, he answered, "Be
pleased to give me sikkhi (Sikh faith)
instead, O True King! Of worldly possessions
I have enough." The Guru was pleased
to hear this answer and remarked, "You
have saved the honour of the faith for
Malva as Mahan Singh saved it for Majha."
Dan Singh received the vows of the Khalsa.
Dan singh was later responsible for
getting the brars into the folds of
Khalsa. At this time all the Brars in
Punjab are following the panth of the
Khalsa. Recent Brar Khalsa that comes
to mind is Saint Sardar Jarnail Singh
Bhindrenwale, whose army of Khalsa warriors
valiently defended Golden Temple.
Later, Guru Gobind Singh told him to
ask for a boon, but the only wish Dan
Singh expressed was that the Guru visit
his village which was close at hand.
The Guru obliged him and blessed him
as well as his co-villagers.
Copyright © Harbans Singh "The
encyclopedia of Sikhism. "
Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap
Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1923
Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Guru Khalsa.
Patiala, 1970
Sukha Singh, Bhai, Gurbilas Dasvin Patshah.
Lahore, 1912
Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion.
Oxford, 1909
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