Banda Singh Bahadur’s Lost Legacy
A Warrior’s Journey from Recluse to Revolutionary
October 27, 1670 – Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. Born as Lachman Dev, in a Hindu Rajput family of farmers, his early years were shaped by his passion for archery, hunting, and horse riding. Yet, despite his talents, a restless spirit grew within him. The comforts of home and the predictable life of a farmer’s son did not satisfy him. Something called him away, beyond the physical world.
By his teenage years, this internal struggle led him to renounce worldly attachments. He left behind his home and became an ascetic, wandering in search of spiritual truth. During these years, he adopted the name Madho Das - a name associated with Krishna, Das meaning servant. He sought wisdom and purpose in meditation, but fate had something far greater in store for him.
The Meeting That Changed History
In 1708, destiny brought him face to face with Guru Gobind Singh - the 10th and final Sikh Guru. This meeting was a turning point in Punjab’s history. Upon meeting the Guru, Madho Das’ self perception as a powerful recluse was challenged - for in his presence, Madho Das felt the true wisdom and power he had spent decades searching for.
Similarly, Guru Gobind Singh saw the fire within him, and the potential for something much greater than a life of seclusion. He guided Madho Das towards a new mission - one that would shake the very foundation of the Mughal Empire. Under the Guru’s guidance, Madho Das accepted the Sikh religion, and took the name Banda Singh Bahadur.
Banda - human, servant, slave. Singh - A name used by all sikh males. Bahadur - brave, strong, valorous.
Together his name was a symbol of the fearless warrior he was to become, for he was no longer a recluse - he was a warrior with great purpose - leading the oppressed against the oppressor.
Training for Battle
Guru Gobind Singh did not send Banda Singh Bahadur into war unprepared. He was trained under the guidance of the Panj Piyare - the first five to be baptised as sikh, the beloved ones of the Khalsa - Bhai Ram Singh, Bhai Raj Singh, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Kahan Singh, Bhai Binod Singh. He was also commanded by the Guru to consult the Panj Piyare before making any decision.
While Banda was already an exceptional archer and horseman, Bhai Binod Singh refined his combat skills, teaching him advanced military strategies and how to lead armies.
After months of training and preparation, Banda Singh Bahadur set out with a dedicated force of Sikhs, carrying the Guru’s blessings and a mission - to avenge the wrongs committed against Punjab and to establish justice for all.
The First Tremors: Battle of Samana, 1709
Banda Singh Bahadur’s campaign was swift and devastating. His first major battle was at Samana, a Mughal stronghold where Jalal-ud-din, the executioner of Guru Tegh Bahadur - the 9th Sikh Guru, and Sayyed Jalal, the oppressor of Sikhs, held power. Banda and his forces stormed the city, executing these officials and dismantling the oppressive administration.
The fall of Samana was not just a military victory, it was a shockwave. The Mughals, who had ruled harshly for centuries, were now facing an unprecedented rebellion. They had not predicted such a strong revolt from Punjab (or any other province in the empire), and assumed that they would come to know of any rebels before they were able to create significant damage.
With each victory, Banda’s army grew stronger. While the majority were Sikhs determined to resist persecution under Mughal rule, his ranks also included Muslims, Hindus, and others who opposed Mughal policies or aligned with Banda Singh’s vision of justice. United by a common cause, they set their sights on Sirhind - a city of immense political and strategic significance.
Note: Although Banda Singh Bahadur’s military campaigns are often referred to as a Sikh rebellion, it is important to recognise that many of the warriors came from Punjab’s diverse population - Sikh and non-Sikh alike. While the leaders and higher-ranking officials, such as the Panj Piyare were Sikh, the broader movement included soldiers of various faiths. Many fought not just for religious reasons, but to end Mughal oppression, which affected different communities in different ways. Their shared struggle aimed to establish independent control over Punjab, beyond just a religious cause.
The Fall of Sirhind: A Strategic and Symbolic Victory, 1710
Sirhind was no ordinary Mughal outpost. It was the second most powerful city in Punjab after Lahore. Additionally, the governor was the infamous Wazir Khan - who had ordered the execution of Guru Gobind Singh’s young sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. But beyond vengeance, Sirhind held other significance too.
The governor of Lahore was much weaker, lacking the resources to pose a serious threat, Sirhind was a major administrative centre, controlling significant trade and revenue in Punjab. Its fall would not only avenge the Guru’s family but also cripple Mughal control over the region as they would lose a great asset to the strength of their administration especially in Punjab.
As the news of Banda Singh’s strength, and the growing successes of his army spread amongst Mughal officials, Wazir Khan decided to save Sirhind from the same destruction and anarchy Samana faced, and marched out with his troops to meet the Punjabi forces at Chappar Chiri - a battlefield 20km from Sirhind. The battle took place on May 12th 1710, Wazir Khan was slain, and Sirhind was officially captured by Banda Singh.
This was the first time in history that the Mughal feudal system had been demolished in Punjab.
The Reformer: Banda Singh Bahadur’s Revolutionary Land Reforms
Unlike previous rulers who merely replaced one form of oppression with another, Banda Singh Bahadur aimed to restructure society. He abolished the oppressive Jagirdari system, where wealthy Jagirdars - landlords controlled vast lands and often exploited peasants.
For the first time in Punjab’s history, land was redistributed to the very farmers who worked on it. No longer would peasants be at the mercy of landlords or forced to pay exessive taxes. These reforms:
Liberated peasants from Mughal taxation.
Encouraged agricultural productivity, as farmers now had direct authority over their land.
Weakened Mughal economic control, striking the empire’s financial backbone.
The Mughal Counterattack & Banda Singh Bahadur’s Last Stand
The rise of Banda Singh Bahadur terrified the Mughals. Emperor Bahadur Shah I launched multiple campaigns to crush him. His successor, Farrukhsiyar, took even harsher measures. Governors Abdus-Samad Khan of Lahore and Zakariya Khan waged relentless war against Banda Singh’s forces.
By 1715, Banda Singh Bahadur was forced into a siege at Gurdas Nangal. For months, he and his men held out against overwhelming odds, but eventually, starvation forced his capture. In 1716, he was taken to Delhi, where he and his followers were brutally executed.
The Forgotten Legacy of Banda Singh Bahadur
Despite his execution, Banda Singh Bahadur’s impact could not be erased - only overshadowed. His fight for justice, reforms, and vision of a free Punjab laid the foundation for future Sikh resistance. His legacy influenced both the Sikh Confederacy and the Sikh Empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
His influence lived on through:
Military Tactics: His use of guerrilla warfare reshaped military strategies, later adopted by the Sikh Misls in their battles against the Mughals and Afghan invaders.
Land Reforms: His radical redistribution of land empowered farmers, challenging feudal structures and influencing later Sikh rule.
Khalsa Administration: His governance style helped shape an early Sikh political identity, laying the groundwork for future independence.
However, Banda Singh Bahadur remains under appreciated in modern historical narratives. Several factors contributed to this:
The Rise of the Sikh Confederacy: After his death, Punjab saw the rise of the confederacy. Their continued struggle against Mughal authority became the dominant narrative, overshadowing Banda Singh’s earlier efforts.
The Glory of the Sikh Empire: The establishment of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s empire in 1799 brought Punjab its first period of stability, prosperity, and military dominance. Often regarded as Punjab’s golden age, this era became the centrepiece of Punjabi history, unintentionally downplaying the earlier struggles and sacrifices of leaders like Banda Singh Bahadur.
Partition and Historical Narratives: The partition of Punjab in 1947 resulted in a clear split between religious groups. Banda Singh’s story holds greater significance within Sikh history and is more preserved in Indian Punjab. In Pakistani Punjab, historical narratives have often focused on Mughal, and Sufi histories - leading to his contributions being less discussed.
Conclusion
Banda Singh Bahadur was more than just a warrior - he was a revolutionary. He challenged the might of the Mughal Empire, not just with his sword but with social reforms that changed Punjab forever. His legacy lives on in every Punjabi who stands for justice, in every farmer who owns his land, and in the very spirit of Punjab - undaunted, unyielding, and forever free.
It is widely documented that Banda Singh Bahadur was a humble figure - forbidding the terms ‘Guru’ and ‘King’ being used in his reference and address. Therefore, to respect his legacy, and avoid an inaccurate or disrespectful portrayal this blog does not depict Banda Singh Bahadur in any images. This image is a depiction of the Sikh warriors who fought alongside Banda Singh, receiving a message in the dark of the night. The aim of this image is to show the determination and strength of the Punjabi revolution.
To the warrior who defied an empire. To the people who stood by him. To the land he fought for - Punjab’s fields and its flowing rivers. May his spirit live on in every Punjabi heart that refuses to forget his legacy. With great respect - TrishSaab