Article By Rajveer Singh Head of Khalsa Diary, Conflict and Funding none.

ਸਾਖੀ ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੀ, ਸੁਨੋ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਨ ਲਾਇ

Hear the story of Taru Singh, O Singhs listen attentively

ਜੋ ਖਾਨ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਲੈ ਤੁਰਯੋ, ਖੋਪਰੀ ਸਿਰੋਂ ਉਤਰਾਇ

Who dragged the Khan down to the depths, after having his scalp removed from his head.

Bhai Taru Singh was born in October 1720 in the village of Poohla to Bhai Jodh Singh and Bibi Dharam Kaur. Whilst Bhai Taru Singh was still young, his father attained martyrdom, so Bibi Dharam Kaur raised him and his younger sister Bibi Tar Kaur. 

Sri Gur Panth Parkash is a historical Granth written by Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, Grandson of Bhai Mehtab Singh, who, along with Bhai Sukha Singh, dealt with Massa Rangar. Here, it says that Bhai Taru Singh lived a simple life, and whatever their family saved was given to those Singhs who were fighting against the Mughal Raj. 

At the time, the Dal Khalsa Fauj had resorted to living in the jungles to avoid persecution, fighting in the true guerilla-style. So the Mughals used informants to find out who were helping the Sikhs. One such informant was Habhagat Niranjna, who told Zakhirya khan about Bhai Taru Singhs way of living.

ਤਾਰੂ ਸਿੰਘ ਤਹਿ ਖੇਤੀ ਕਰੈ, ਸਾਥ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਹਿ ਹਾਲਾ ਭਰੈ

One Taru Singh is an agriculturist. He remits land revenue along with the villagers.

ਦੇਹ ਹਾਕਮ ਕਛੁ ਥੋੜਾ ਖਾਵੈ, ਬਚੈ ਸਿੰਘਨ ਕੇ ਪਾਸ ਪੁਚਾਵੈ 

He pays the authorities lives frugally, and whatever he saves, he sends it to the Singhs 

Because helping the Sikhs had been outlawed, Bhai Taru Singh was arrested and brought to Lahore.

ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋਇ ਨਿਰਧਨ ਕੋ ਪਾਲੈ

khaalasaa soi niradhan ko paalai

Khalsa is the one who looks after the poor.

ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋਇ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਕੋ ਗਾਲੇ। (੫੦)

khaalasaa soi dhushaT ko gaale| (50)

Khalsa is the one who annihilates the evil-doers.(50)

On entering the court of Zakhirya Khan, Bhai Taru Singh said Fateh to everyone in the court, and Zakariya khan felt insulted. Bhai Taru singh then questioned Zakhriya Khan that: 

“if we cultivate your lands, we pay you land revenue. If we do trading or business, even then, we pay you taxes. Whatever remains after paying you that we consume. We deprive ourselves of a portion and serve humble means to sustain others. Say what loss we cause to your purse? what do you punish us for?”

Understanding how intelligent Bhai Sahib was, Zakariya Khan tried to get Bhai sahib to convert to Islam. Bhai Sahib answered by saying;

ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਕਰ ਮਰੋਂ ਕਿ ਨਾਹੀ, ਜੋ ਫਿਰ ਮਰੋਂ ਕਿਮ ਧਰਮ ਗਵਾਈ

Will I not die as a Muslim? If I will still die, then why should I forsake my faith?

ਚਾਹੀਏ ਨਵਾਬ ਤੇ ਧਰਮ ਰਖਾਯਾ, ਕੇਸੀ ਸਾਸੀ ਨਿਬਾਹੁ ਕਰਾਯਾ ||੮||

Oh, Nawab, I will remain steadfast on my religion and maintain my hair as long as I breathe. 

Zakariya Khan offered Bhai Sahib whatever he could, women, riches, government authority. Still, Bhai Taru Singh refused all and said that he would happily accept the worst punishment if it meant that his hair would remain intact as long as he continued to breathe.

Hearing this, Zakariya khan was enraged to the point where he said that I would remove your hair and breaths from your head with my shoe.

Bhai Taru Singh, also enraged by his comment, said that shoes would be slapped on your head, and this Khalsa will take you first before leaving this world. 

Bhai Taru Singh was brought in front of the barbers. When they tried to cut his hair, they were stunned to see that Bhai sahib’s hair was as strong as iron. In shock and fear, Zakariya khan ordered executioners to remove Bhai Taru Singh’s scalp. Bhai Sahib continued to do Naam Simran throughout the whole process.

ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਕੀ ਰਛਾ ਹਮਨੈ ॥

akaal purakh kee rachhaa hamanai ||

The non-temporal Purusha (All-Pervading Lord) is my Protector.

ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਦੀ ਰਛਿਆ ਹਮਨੈ ॥

sarab loh dhee rachhiaa hamanai ||

The All-Iron Lord is my Protector.

ਸਰਬ ਕਾਲ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਰਛਿਆ ਹਮਨੈ ॥

sarab kaal jee dhee rachhiaa hamanai ||

The All-Destroying Lord is my Protector.

ਸਰਬ ਲੋਹ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਸਦਾ ਰਛਿਆ ਹਮਨੈ ॥

sarab loh jee dhee sadhaa rachhiaa hamanai ||

The All-Iron Lord is ever my Protector.

After Bhai Taru Singh was thrown in a ditch outside of Lahore, the Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus living in Lahore brought Bhai sahib to a Dharamshala, where he began doing Naam Simran. The very same night, Zakhirya Khan fell ill and was unable to pass urine. 

Bhai Subeg Singh was called to ask Bhai Taru Singh for forgiveness, to which Bhai sahib said that Akaal Purakh has made my words true, I am no one to interfere with his will. 

Bhai Subeg Singh then went to the Dal Khalsa Jathedar Nawab Kapur Singh, and after discussing with them, he was told that if Bhai Taru Singh’s shoe was whacked in Zakariya Khan’s head, then he may feel some relief. So for the next 21 days, this happened until he died on the 22nd day. After hearing the death of Zakariya Khan, Bhai Taru singh recited Fateh to everyone before leaving this world. 

Bhai Taru Singh is the true example of a Sikh youngster and proves that those families who raise their children in a Sikhi environment will prosper. If we all paid attention in our ardas instead of standing there, there would never be mothers or fathers allowing their child’s hair to be cut. We hope that in the future, the Panth will continue to create knowledgeable Sikhs like Bhai Taru Singh, who maintained the hair as long as they drew breath.