BIJAI SINGH, by Bhai Vir Singh, is a historical romance constructed around the heroic figure of Bijai Singh, a fictitious character, through whose spiritual integrity it endeavours to delineate a whole people, its inspiration and way of life. First published in 1899, Bijai Singh is the author`s second novel and, like its predecessor Sundari (q.v.), it is situated in the same 18th century period of suffering and trial for the Sikhs. Bijai Singh is in every sense an exemplary character. Born Ram Lal in a Hindu Khatri family of Lahore, he received the new name Bijai Singh as, moved by the gallant deeds of the Sikhs, he, along with his wife and son, receives the initiatory rites and joins the ranks of the Khalsa.
The family quits home to take refuge in a forest, but is spied upon and captured by a Mughal troop. All efforts to convert Bijai Singh to Islam and persuade his wife, Sushil Kaur, to enter the Nawab`s harem fail. Bijai Singh is released on the intercession of a Sufi saint Sabir Shah, and his wife and son, the sixyearold Varyam Singh, sent to a detention camp. The Nawab is still desirous of marrying Sushil Kaur, but Murad Begam who, like her husband Mir Mannu, is a historical character, protects her. After her husband`s death in an action against the Sikhs, Murad Begam assumed power in Lahore.
Bijai Singh joins the jatha or band of Sardar Karora Singh that is a real name from Sikh history, but wounded in a battle, he again falls into captivity and is taken to Lahore. Here Murad Begam loses her heart to him and proposes marriage, exempting him from the condition of renouncing his faith and embracing Islam. He, however, spurns the offer. The Begam`s intrigue to get rid of Sushil Kaur by having her thrown into the rivers also fails. The Sikh spy Bijia Singh who happens to be around, picks her up as well as her son and brings them back to the camp of their leader, Karora Singh. While the mother and son regain health in the jatha, an attack is planned to get Bijai Singh released.
Although the plan succeeds, Bijai Singh is wounded grievously. Back in the camp, he bleeds profusely and dies with the Guru`s name on his lips. Sushil Kaur also breathes her last at the same moment. Their son, Varyam Singh, is brought up by Karora Singh. As the author himself proclaims in the preface, he wrote the novel with a view to resurrecting Sikh values and belief. The Sikh actors in the story are presented at their idealistic best. This makes plot as well as characterization somewhat tentative. Yet the novelist did succeed in his purpose of stirring the hearts of his readers. For them Bijai Singh and Sushil Kaur became real persons, embodying the Sikh virtues of faith, tenacity and sacrifice.
References :
1. Harbans Singh, Bhai Vir Singh. Delhi, 1972
2. Kohli, Surindar Singh, and Harnam Singh Shan, eds., Bhai Vir Singh, Jivan, Saman te Rachna. Chandigarh, 1973
The Heroic Transformation
At its core, the novel follows the journey of a man born as Ram Lal, a Hindu Khatri from Lahore, who becomes Bijai Singh after encountering the gallant spirit of the Sikhs. Enchanted by their deeds and imbued with newfound faith, he, his wife, and his young son embrace the Khalsa’s traditions through initiation rites. This transformation marks the beginning of his heroic journey—shedding his past identity to assume a new name and mission in life. In Bhai Vir Singh’s narrative, this rechristening not only symbolizes a personal rebirth but also echoes the broader transformation of a community rising against oppression.
Trials Amidst Turbulence
The narrative of Bijai Singh is layered with trials emblematic of the 18thcentury Sikh experience. Shortly after their conversion, Bijai Singh and his family are forced to flee their homes, seeking sanctuary in the wilderness. Yet, fate is unkind; they are soon discovered and captured by a Mughal troop. Despite numerous attempts by their captors to forcibly convert Bijai Singh to Islam—and coercing his wife, Sushil Kaur, into the Nawab’s harem—the couple remains steadfast in their newfound faith. Bijai Singh’s resilience in the face of these daunting challenges underlines a recurring theme of spiritual integrity and martial valor that defines the Sikh ethos.
Divine Intervention and Ultimate Sacrifice
A poignant moment in the tale comes with the intercession of a Sufi saint, Sabir Shah, whose unexpected compassion results in Bijai Singh’s temporary release. However, the narrative has more layers of conflict: the Nawab’s persistent, yet futile, attempts to sway Sushil Kaur and the stirring developments when Bijai Singh later joins a jatha (band) led by Sardar Karora Singh—a name rooted in Sikh historical memory. In the heat of battle, despite his valor leading to temporary victories, Bijai Singh is grievously wounded and ultimately captured. Facing an offer from Murad Begam that would have required him to renounce his Sikh identity, he defiantly spurns the proposal. His heroic stance comes full circle in his final moments—bleeding out with the Guru’s name on his lips, a testament to his indomitable spirit and the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good of his faith and people. His wife, Sushil Kaur, meets a similar fate, solidifying this tale as one where personal sacrifice intertwines with the collective struggle of a community.
Themes of Faith, Identity, and Community
Bhai Vir Singh’s portrayal of Bijai Singh is more than an account of individual heroism—it is an exploration of identity forged in the crucible of persecution and the redemptive potential of faith. The narrative uses Bijai Singh’s journey to mirror the collective experience of the Sikhs during an era of persecution and transformation. His unwavering commitment to Sikh principles, despite adversity, underscores the power of spiritual and moral conviction. Moreover, the novel elevates his family’s ordeal to a communal myth: his son, Varyam Singh, being taken under the wing of Sardar Karora Singh signals the continuation of these values and the resilience of Sikh spirit across generations.
Literary and Cultural Impact
Published in 1899 during the Singh Sabha movement—a period marked by a revival of Sikh cultural identity—Bijai Singh serves as both a literary and ideological milestone. Bhai Vir Singh, often called the “Father of the Punjabi Novel,” uses his pen as a medium to articulate the inspirational narrative of the Sikh community. Within its pages, the novel not only entertains but also educates, inspiring readers to reflect on the values of courage, steadfastness, and the transformative power of faith. By crafting a fictitious yet deeply resonant historical romance, Bhai Vir Singh offers a template for Sikh heroism that continues to influence both literary studies and collective memory among Sikhs.
