CHALI MUKTE, lit. forty (chalf) liberated ones (mukte), is how a band of 40 brave Sikhs who laid down their lives fighting near the dhab or lake of Khidrana, also called Isharsar, on 29 December 1705 against a Mughal force in chase of Guru Gobind Singh are remembered in Sikh history and daily in the Sikh ardas or supplicatory prayer offered individually or at gatherings at the end of all religious services. Guru Gobind Singh, who had watched the battle from a nearby mound praised the martyrs` valour and blessed them as Chali Mukte, the Forty Immortals. After them Khidrana became Muktsar the Pool of Liberation.
DEVA SINGH, BHAI. and Bhai Ishar Singh were among the Five Muktas, who formed the first batch after the Parij Piare to receive baptism of the Khalsa on the Baisakhi day of AD 1699. According to Rahitnama Hazuri Bhai Chaupa Singh Chhibbar, the draft of a rahitnama was prepared by these Muktas which later received Guru Gobind Singh`s approval. Bhai Deva Singh and Bhai Ishar Singh fell fighting in the battle of Chamkaur (7 December 1705).
