Baba Moti Ram Mehra ( fl. late 17th – early 18th century) was a devoted disciple of Guru Gobind Singh who, disregarding the risk to his own life, managed to enter the Thanda Burj in a very dramatic manner and serve milk to Mata Gujri, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the two younger Sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh for three nights, where they were kept under arrest by the Mughal Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan. [1] [2]
Moti Ram was born into a Hindu family. His parents were Bholi and Hariya Ram. His uncle was Bhai Himmat Rai Ji, a member of 1st panj pyare. On 27 December 1704, the Sahibzadas were martyred, and Mata Gujri also died. He arranged sandal wood for their cremation. Someone told the Nawab that his servant had served those prisoners with milk and water. The Nawab ordered the arrest of Baba Moti Ram Mehra, his mother, wife, and son. He did not conceal his act and boldly told the Nawab that it was his pious duty to serve the imprisoned children and their grandmother. Hence Baba Moti Ram Mehra, along with his family, was sentenced to death by being squeezed in a Kohlu (oil press). His sacrifice was first sermonized by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
Memorial Gurdwara and Gate
His followers and kin of his caste constituted the Amar Saheed Baba Moti Ram Mehra Charitable Trust. [3] A Gurdwara known as the Memorial Baba Moti Ram Mehra stands opposite Rauza Sharif 200 metres (660 ft) from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, which was constructed by the Trust [4] at the place where Moti Ram Mehra was martyred by the Nawab. The land was donated by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.
Today, Moti Ram Mehra is deeply respected by Sikhs [5] while the Baba Moti Ram Mehra Memorial Gate was constructed [6] by the Punjab Government in remembrance of his great sacrifices.
See also
References
- ^ "Moti Ram Mehra's sacrifice recalled". The Tribune. India. 28 December 2005. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "Memorial Gates". fatehgarhsahib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ Walia, Varinder (15 July 2004). "Bhattal gone, panchayat officer faces dismissal". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ^ "Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Gate – The General who Conquered Sirhind". Fatehgarh Sahib district Government. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
- ^ "Punjab constitutes committee to commemorate B'anniversary of Baba Moti Ram Mehra". Punjab NewsLine. 20 January 2010. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab". www.tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011.