India Post has commemorated the tricentenary of the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur by releasing a postal cover depicting the Sikh general. It was released today by LN Sharma, chief postmaster general, Delhi circle, in New Delhi, according to a spokesman.
The postal cover release was organised by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). Banda Singh Bahadur with the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the founder of the Sikh Empire in 1710, the press release said. The postal release is one of the series of activities initiated by the DSGMC to commemorate the tricentenary. DSGMC president Manjit SIngh GK was the chief guest.
About Baba Banda Singh Bahadur
Banda Singh Bahadur was born on October 16, 1670, as Lachman Dev at Rajouri in present-day Jammu & Kashmir. At the age of 20 he gave up worldly life and became a bairagi. In 1708 he came in contact with Guru Gobind Singh who encouraged him to give up his life as a bairagi and resume the duties of a real Rajput. It was in the month of September 1708 that Guru Gobind Singh conferred upon him the title of Banda Singh Bahadur. He was appointed by Guru Gobind Singh as his deputy and military lieutenant.
After the death of Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1708, he fought the Mughals and in February 1710 established the first sovereign Sikh state with its headquarters at Mukhlispur, later renamed Lohgarh. In May 1710 he invaded Sirhind and defeated Wazir Khan thus fulfilling the task given to him by his guru. Many more battles were fought by him against the Mughals and his sovereign rule came to an end with his arrest in December 1715. He was then brought to Delhi along with his 740 Sikhs and executed on June 24, 1716.
{{/usCountry}}After the death of Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1708, he fought the Mughals and in February 1710 established the first sovereign Sikh state with its headquarters at Mukhlispur, later renamed Lohgarh. In May 1710 he invaded Sirhind and defeated Wazir Khan thus fulfilling the task given to him by his guru. Many more battles were fought by him against the Mughals and his sovereign rule came to an end with his arrest in December 1715. He was then brought to Delhi along with his 740 Sikhs and executed on June 24, 1716.
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