SHAHID BILAS (BHAI MANI SINGH), by Kavi Seva Singh, is a biography in verse of Bhai Mani Singh, a Rajput warrior of Panvar clan, whom the poet identifies with Bhai Mani Singh, the martyr. Seva Singh, son of Kesar Singh Kaushish, was a bhatt or family bard of one of Bhai Mani Singh`s great grandsons, Sarigat Singh, who had settled at Ladva, in the present Yamunanagar district of Haryana, as ajagirdar under Raja Ajit Singh. According to the poet himself, he commenced writing Shahid Bilas at Ladva, but completed it at Bhadson, in Parganah Thanesar, to which place he migrated, probably in 1846, when Raja Ajit Singh`s estates were confiscated by the British for helping the Lahore armies in the first AngloSikh war.
Originally written in Bhattakshri, script commonly used by the Bhatts, it was transcribed into Gurrnukhi by Chhaiju Singh Bhatt of Bhadson, in 1870. This manuscript in Gurmukhi script, the only one available, was aquired by a researcher, Giani Garja Singh (1904-77), from the house of Bhatt Mohlu Ram with the help of Bhatt Man Singh of Karsindhu village, in Jind district of Haryana. It was edited by him and published by Pahjabi Sahitya Academy, Ludhiana, in 1961. According to Seva Singh, wild uses Seva Hari as his nom de plume (Singh and ban both meaning a lion), Mani Singh was the third of the twelve sons of Mai Das of `Alipur, near Multan, now in Pakistan.
His grandfather, Ballu Rao had borne arms and served Guru Hargobind (1595-1644). Mani Singh was born to Madhari, the first wife of Mai Das, on Sunday, Chet sudi 12,1701 Bk/7 April 1644. Mani Singh was 13 when he was taken by his father to Guru Har Rai at Kiratpur where he stayed for two years serving in the Guru ka Langar and studying gurbam, i.e. the Scriptural texts. He was married at the age of 15 to Sito, daughter of Lakkhi Rai of Khairpur. He kept company with Guru Har Rai and Guru Har Krishan and, except a short intermission, with Tegh Bahadur whom he rejoined in 1672 and was assigned to preparing copies of the Scripture and to studying as well as instructing other Sikhs in the sacred text.
He practised the martial arts under Guru Gobind Singh and took part in the battles of Bhangani and Nadaun. At the time of the initiation of the Khalsa, Mani Singh along with five of his sons received khande ki pahul or initiation by the double edged sword. Soon after this he was sent by Guru Gobind Singh to take charge of the shrines at Amritsar. He rejoined Guru Gobind Singh at Talvandi Sabo and accompanied him to the South up to Baghaur from where the Guru sent him back to Amritsar. During the time of fierce persecution which followed, the venerable Bhai Mani Singh remained unharmed. In 1733 he even obtained government`s permission to hold in Harimandar at Amritsar a fair on the occasion of`Divali festival for which a cess had to be paid.
Owing to apprehension of an attack by imperial troops, the attendance was meagre, and the stipulated amount could not be raised. Bhai Mani Singh was arrested, charged with nonpayment of the tax, and was executed in Lahore on Har sudi 5,1791 Bk/24June 1734. Giani Garja Singh, in his introduction as well as in footnotes to the text, has tried to support the poet`s account as authentic history with ample quotations from various published and unpublished works, especially from a new source, the Bhatt Vahis, or scrolls of the traditional family bards; but the account given in the Shahid Bilas has not yet received firm acceptance. Neither the original manuscript in Bhattakshri nor the original of its Gurmukhi transcript is available for verification.
Besides, some of the crucial dates given in the Shahid Bilas (e.g. those of the creation of Khalsa and martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh Shahid) are at variance with those given by other chroniclers. It appears that there were two different historical personalities : Mani Ram, a Rajput warrior and father of Bhai Ude Singh, Bachittar Singh and their three brothers who attained martyrdom fighting for the Guru, and Bhai Mani Singh, scholar and exegete, who met a martyr`s death in 1737. Kavi Seva Singh, in panegyrizing the former ancestor of his patron, Sangat Singh, identified him with the latter. The veracity of the work must await further research.
References :
1. Gurmukh Singh, “Identity of Bhai Mani Singh Shahid”, Proceedings, Punjab History Conference, Twenty-second Session, March 25-27,2988-Patiala, 1989
A Storied Legacy in Verse
Shahid Bilas stands as one of the seminal works in Sikh literary history—a high‐spirited, epic biography composed in the traditional Bhatt verse style. It recounts the life of Bhai Mani Singh, a warrior of Rajput origin from the Panvar clan, whose devotion and martial prowess have earned him the title of a Sikh martyr. Seva Singh, the poet and family bard, undertakes an ambitious task: to memorialize not just the events of Bhai Mani Singh’s life but to encapsulate an ideal of courage, piety, and unwavering commitment to the Sikh faith.
Bhai Mani Singh: The Warrior, The Scholar, The Martyr
Bhai Mani Singh emerges in Shahid Bilas as a multi-faceted hero—a warrior tempered by deep spirituality. His life narrative is interwoven with both historical detail and legendary embellishments:
- Rajput Valor and Ancestral Legacy:
According to the epic, Bhai Mani Singh’s lineage is marked by martial traditions. Hailing from a renowned Rajput family, his grandfather, Rao Ballu, reputedly served in Guru Hargobind’s army, providing a powerful testimony to an ancestral commitment to righteous warfare. This heritage not only underscores his physical valor but also situates him within a tradition of leadership and sacrifice. - Devotion and Service:
Beyond his martial credentials, Bhai Mani Singh is celebrated for his erudition and spiritual dedication. He was entrusted with the stewardship of the Harmandir Sahib—the epicenter of Sikh worship—and played a pivotal role in the transmission and preservation of Sikh sacred literature. His scholarly pursuits, combined with his uncompromising faith, fashioned him into a beacon for the community, particularly during times of crisis. - Martyrdom and Ultimate Sacrifice:
Perhaps the most striking aspect of his legacy is his martyrdom. In Shahid Bilas, the poet spares no detail in extolling the courage with which Bhai Mani Singh faced persecution. His martyrdom by dismemberment—a brutal act intended to force him to renounce his faith—came to symbolize the zenith of Sikh resilience. The manner of his death not only immortalized him as a martyr but also transformed his story into a daily invocation during Sikh prayers, symbolizing the eternal struggle between committed faith and oppressive forces. Seva Singh’s Epic: The Art of Hagiographical Verse
Shahid Bilas is much more than a historical record—it is a poetic masterpiece that weaves together fact, folklore, and fervent devotion. Several aspects of Seva Singh’s composition stand out:
- Narrative Structure and Style:
The work is composed in Bhattakshri, a script customarily used by Sikh family bards. Seva Singh’s verses are structured to recount pivotal episodes in Mani Singh’s life in a series of elegantly rendered stanzas. His narrative is lively, oscillating between dramatic descriptions of battles and tender depictions of spiritual communion—showing how the warrior’s martial exploits were inseparable from his deep connection with the Guru’s teachings. - Oral Tradition and Familial Memory:
Seva Singh, as a descendant and former attendant of Bhai Mani Singh’s great-grandson, brings not only scholarly insight but also the warmth of an oral family tradition. His work reflects the collective memory of a community that has celebrated the exploits of Bhai Mani Singh across generations. His verses encapsulate both the raw immediacy of battle and the serene wisdom imparted by the Gurus. - Cultural and Religious Resonance:
Throughout Shahid Bilas, Bhai Mani Singh is portrayed as an exemplar of Sikh virtues: his bravery is exemplary, yet it is his humility, devotion, and steadfast adherence to Sikh principles that ultimately define him. The text emphasizes that true heroism lies not in mere physical strength, but in the convergence of martial excellence with divine grace. His determined resistance against conversion and his loyal service to Sikh ideals resonate deeply in the meditative recitations and daily devotional practices of Sikhs worldwide. Enduring Impact and Legacy
Shahid Bilas has endured as an inspirational epic in Sikh literature for several reasons:
- Historical Influence:
Even as modern scholarship continues to dissect historical records with academic rigor, the poetic biography has maintained its status as a cherished narrative that affirms Sikh identity. It provides an accessible and emotionally charged account of a turbulent past, one in which Bhai Mani Singh’s valor and sacrifice serve as a rallying call for spiritual and communal unity. - Spiritual Role:
The story of Bhai Mani Singh, as immortalized in this work, plays a crucial role in Sikh collective memory. It stands as a daily reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of faith, fortifying the resolve of devotees to uphold the virtues of truth, justice, and devotion. His martyrdom, often recounted in Sikh prayers and gatherings, reinforces the community’s commitment to its sacred teachings and ethical ideals. - Literary and Cultural Heritage:
Seva Singh’s eloquent verse and the enduring popularity of Shahid Bilas attest to the vibrant interplay between martial history and religious poetry in Sikh tradition. This work not only documents a pivotal historical figure; it has also influenced subsequent generations of Sikh bards and scholars who continue to celebrate the legacy of Bhai Mani Singh in various forms.
