Bhai Jiwan Singh


Baba Jiwan Singh '', a Mazhabi Sikh General and companion of Guru Gobind Singh.
As well as his military prowess, he was a poet and a warrior. He also taught gatka, shabad kirtan, archery, horse riding, and swimming to Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

Early life

Jaita was born in 1649 at Patna, Bihar in a Mazhabi Sikh family to Sada Nand and mother, Mata Premo. He grew up at Patna where he got training in various weapons and learned the art of warfare. In addition, he learned horse-riding, swimming, music and Kirtan. When Sikh families staying at Patna returned to Punjab Bhai Jaita and his family went to Ramdas village and lived with Bhai Gurditta, the great grandson of Baba Buddha. Later, Jaita married Bibi Raj Kaur, daughter of Surjan Singh.
When Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of Sikh, was martyred by the Mughals at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Singh along with two other Mazhabi Sikhs, recovered his dismembered body from a Muslim crowd and brought it back to his son, Guru Gobind Singh.
There after Guru Gobind honoured them with the title Mazhabi and said loudly, "Rangrete Guru Ke Bete" to the all Mazhabi Sikhs. After that, Singh was instructed by his father to behead him in order to swap the head of his father for that of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Bhai Jiwan Singh carries out his father’s wish and carried the head of Guru Tegh Bahadur from Delhi to Gobind Rai in Anandpur Sahib.

Battles and Death

Singh was with the Guru during the evacuation of Anandpur Sahib and fought the battles of Bhangani, Nadaun, Anandpur Sahib, Bajrur, Nirmohgarh, all four wars of Anandpur Sahib, Bansali/Kalmot and Sarsa. He died in Battle of Sarsa, in an attempt of saving Ajit Singh.
Bhai Jiwan Singh also wrote about the exploits of Guru Gobind Singh, in his magnum opus the 'Sri Gur Katha'.
After his death in 1705 a tomb was erected to honour him at Gurudwara Shaheed Burj Sahib at Chamkaur.