Sahib Singh Bedi

Descendant of Guru Nanak From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sahib Singh Bedi

Baba Sahib Singh Bedi (Punjabi: ਬਾਬਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਬੇਦੀ, 7 April 1756 – 17 July 1834) is a renowned Sikh Brahmgiani Saint, who was a direct tenth-generation lineal descendant of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.[1][2][3]

Quick Facts Baba, Bhai Daya Singh Samparda ...
Sahib Singh Bedi
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Pahari equestrian miniature painting of Sahib Singh Bedi, circa 19th century
Bhai Daya Singh Samparda
Preceded byBaba Sobha Singh
(Anandpur Sahib)
Succeeded byBaba Bhag Singh (Kuri)
Personal life
Born(1756-04-07)7 April 1756
Died17 July 1834(1834-07-17) (aged 78)
Una, Himachal Pradesh
ChildrenBishan Singh
Bikram Singh
Attar Singh
Parent(s)Baba Ajit Singh Bedi
Mata Sarupan Devi
Known for
  • Brahmgiani Saint
  • Direct Descendant of Guru Nanak Dev ji
  • Being a central figure in establishing the Sikh Empire
  • Preaching the teachings of the Sikh Guru to the masses, initiating countless into Khalsa
  • Head of Bhai Daya Singh Samparda
  • Rajguru of the Sikh Empire
Religious life
ReligionSikhism
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Biography

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Early life

Baba Sahib Singh Bedi was born to parents Baba Ajit Singh Bedi (died 1773) and Mata Sarupan Devi on 7 April 1756 at Dera Baba Nanak (in present-day Gurdaspur district) in the traditional Punjabi month of Chet sudi.[2] His birth is said to be prophesised by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. In 1770, his family shifted to Una located at the foothills of the Sivalik Hills region (in present-day Himachal Pradesh), where they held land.[2]

When he was around 18 years old (~1774), Sahib Singh Bedi visited Anandpur Sahib, where he was initiated into the Khalsa by Baba Sobha Singh of Bhai Daya Singh Samparda, who was a beloved Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh.[1][4] Sobha Singh was given the duty of taking care of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib by the tenth Guru, becoming known as Jathedar Baba Sobha Singh amongst the Sikhs.[5] He preached the message and the teachings of Sikhi and initiated many into the Khalsa through Amrit Sanskar.[6]

Later life

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Painting of Sahib Singh Bedi (seated right) seated with his son, Tegh Singh Bedi (seated left), North India, dated 1838–39 CE
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Mural of Sahib Singh Bedi with his sons and relatives (Suraj Singh, Attar Singh, and Bikram Singh Bedi, Sujan Singh), and Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Asthan Baba Bikram Singh Bedi, Kanak Mandi, Amritsar

Baba Sahib Singh Bedi was greatly respected by the Sikh misldars (chiefs) during the era of the Sikh Confederacy and acted as a common uniting cause between the various bickering, rival chiefs against an outside enemy.[7] He played a pivotal role in the unification of the Sikh Misls and the establishment of the Sikh Empire.[7] Furthermore, Baba Sahib Singh was responsible for applying the tilak and saffron paste during the coronation ceremony of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on 11th or 12th April 1801 in Lahore.[2][8]

Baba Sahib Singh was respected as the Rajguru of the Sikh Empire, admired by not only the Maharaja and the Sikhs, but also the non-Sikh population.[1][5] He was also the founder of the locality of Bedian located near Lahore on tracts of land allotted to him by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.[9] He established a Sikh religious educational school at Bedian, partly choosing this location to combat the rival heretic Mina sect, founded by the disgruntled and rebellious Prithi Chand, which was headquartered at Heir village nearby.[9] Baba Sahib Singh is renowned for preaching the teachings of the Sikh Gurus to the masses, initiating countless into Khalsa.[10]

Baba Sahib Singh passed away on 17th July 1834 in Una.[2][3] He was survived by two sons, Bishan Singh and Bikram Singh.[11] His many students included Baba Bhag Singh of Kuri, who was given Amrit by Baba Sahib Singh himself.[5][4]

See also

References

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