Bhai Dan Singh

Bhai Dan Singh, a Brar Jatt of the village of Mahima Sarja in presentday Bathinda district of the Punjab. He and his son joined the contingent of Brars raised by Guru Gobind Singh after his escape from Chamkaur in December 1705. Dan Singh, by virtue of his devotion and daring, soon won the Guru's trust as well as the leadership of the Brar force. The anonymous author of the Malva Des Ratan di Sakhi Pothi states that he was appointed asupali or asvapa, (keeper of horses). It was at his suggestion that Guru Gobind Singh chose a high ground near the dhab (pool) of Khidrana (now known as Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib near Muktsar), to defend himself against the pursuing host of the faujdar (governor) of Sirhind Wazir Khan. 
During the Guru's journey towards Talwandi Sabo, when the Brar contingent complained demanding their unpaided funds from the Guru, Dan Singh tried to pacify them asking them to be patient. As they remained adamant and sought immediate payment, the Guru halted in the open near Chhateana village and disbursed pay to all his men who, according to the Malva Desh Ratan di Sakhi Pothi, numbered 500 cavalry and 900 foot. When Guru ji asked Dan Singh to come forward to be paid, he answered the Guru's request saying:
: "Be pleased to give me Sikkhi (the Sikh faith) instead, O True King! Of worldly possessions I have enough." 
The Guru was pleased to hear his answer and remarked, "You have saved the honour of the faith for Malva as Mahan Singh (see Chali Mukte) saved it for Majha." Dan Singh received the vows of the Khalsa. Later, Guru Gobind Singh told him to ask for a boon, but the only wish Dan Singh expressed was that the Guru visit his village which was close at hand. The Guru obliged him and blessed him as well as his fellow villagers.
==References==
1. Santokli Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1926-37
2. Bhalla, Sarup Das, Mahima Prakash. Patiala, 1971
3. Malva DesA Ratan di Sakhi Pothi. Amritsar, 1968
Category:Early Gursikh Personalities
category:bhai