Baba Deep Singh's Vow

Baba Deep Singh Ji was a renowned scholar who had helped Bhai Mani Singh scribe copies of the Guru Granth Sahib. He was also a fierce warrior leading the Shaheedan Misl.

In 1757, the Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali, frustrated by Sikh resistance, ordered his general Jahan Khan to destroy the Golden Temple and fill the holy pool with slaughtered cows and debris.

Hearing of this horrific desecration, the 75-year-old Baba Deep Singh drew a line in the dirt with his 15-kilogram double-edged sword (Khanda). He asked those willing to die to step over it. Hundreds crossed. Baba Deep Singh made a solemn vow (Ardas) that he would not die until he reached the perimeter of Harmandir Sahib and liberated it.

A massive battle ensued against Jahan Khan's vastly superior forces. During the fight, an enemy commander struck Baba Deep Singh a fatal blow to the neck, nearly severing his head.

A fellow Sikh reminded the falling warrior, 'Baba Ji, you vowed to reach the holy precinct!' Hearing this, Baba Deep Singh supported his head with his left hand, and wielding his massive Khanda in his right, rose again with terrifying fury.

The Afghan soldiers fled in sheer terror at the sight of a headless warrior. Baba Deep Singh fought his way to the periphery of the Golden Temple, bowed his head to the shrine, fulfilled his vow, and finally released his breath to the Creator.