Before leaving for Deccan on Oct. 30, 1706, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji  assigned to Dip Singh Ji the duty of teaching the Sikh scriptures, disseminating Sikh  philosophy and training the Sikhs in the martial arts. Thus, Dip Singh Ji stayed  behind at Talvandi Sabo to serve at the Gurdwara Damdama Sahib. At Talvandi  Sabo, as per the directions of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji he spent his time explaining  the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to Sikh sangat. He also organised a Sikh jatha (fighting group) and trained the members of this jatha in martial arts.  

This year i.e. in 2023 Shaheed Bhai Taroo Singh Ji's 278^th martyrdom day is being observed on July 16 all over the world. This gruesome incident took place 278^th years ago. This brave and dauntless Sikh was born in a Sandhu Jatt family in Puhla village which at that time fell in District Kasur (now in Pakistan) but now falls in Distt.  Tarn Taran of Punjab. In his sacred memory at the place of his birth stands Gurdwara  Sahib Shaheed Bhai Taroo Singh Ji. 

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji (1670-1716), a brave Sikh warrior and founder of the Sikh Rule in Punjab was born on October 27, 1670 at Rajauri in Punchh District of Jammu and Kashmir. His early name was Lachhman Dev. His father Ram Dev Ji, a Rajput Farmer trained him in martial arts in early childhood. 

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib (1595-1644) the Sixth Guru (prophet teacher) of the Sikhs was the only son of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs and Mata  Ganga Ji. He was born on Har Vadi 7, 1652 Bikrimi i.e. June 19, 1595, at Vadali (now called Vadali Guru) about 8 km from Amritsar. 

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606), the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs was born on  Baisakh Vadi 7, 1620 Bikrimi i.e. April 15, 1563 at Goindwal Sahib, which now falls  in the present day Tarn Taran district of Punjab. He was the third and youngest son  of Bhai Jetha Ji who later named as Sri Guru Ram Das Ji became the Fourth Guru  of the Sikhs and Bibi (Lady) Bhani Ji, daughter of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third  Guru of the Sikhs. 

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606), the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs was born on  Baisakh Vadi 7, 1620 Bikrimi i.e. April 15, 1563, at Goindwal Sahib, which now falls in the present day Tarn Taran district of Punjab. He was the third and youngest son of Bhai Jetha Ji who was later named Sri Guru Ram Das Ji became the Fourth Guru of the Sikhs and Bibi (Lady) Bhani Ji, daughter of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third  Guru of the Sikhs. 

The Sikh history of the 18th century is replete with the martyrdom of Sikhs at the hands  of Afghan and Mughal rulers who invaded India which was at that time considered a 'sparrow of  gold'. The primary aims of these invaders were to loot the people and convert them to Islam.  These invaders generally returned to their home countries after amalgamating booty although  they also established their rule in Punjab, Delhi and some other parts of India.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century the main historical Gurdwaras were  under the control of mahants. It may be added that originally the superior of a  religious establishment was called a mahant. In earlier days the word mahant  referred to the leaders of Nath deras. But during the 18th and 19th centuries many  Gurdwaras were occupied by hereditary controllers who became virtual owners of  their respective Gurdwaras and came to be known as mahants

Bhagat Ravidas Ji (1377-1527) was born to Raghu Ji and Ghurbinia Ji  at Seer Goverdhanpur in Varanasi (also known as Banaras), Uttar Pradesh. In his  sacred memory, at his birthplace, Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir has  been established. The picture of this Mandir is being given at the end of this write-up.  Throughout the year his followers visit this Mandir to pay respect to him and  especially on his birthday lacs of his followers visit this sacred place to pay their  obeisance.

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib (1630-1661) the seventh Guru of the Sikh faith was  born on January 16, 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib in District Ropar of Punjab. He was the  son of Baba Gurditta Ji (1613-1638) and grandson of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib  (1595-1644) the sixth Guru of the Sikh faith. This year his birth anniversary is being celebrated on February 3 all over the world. 

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, reverently known as 'Sarbans Danee' i.e. a person who sacrificed his 'sarbans' (whole family) for  helping the oppressed and protecting a person's right to profess the religion of his  own choice. He was born the only son of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Mata Gujri  Ji on Poh Sudi 7 (23 Poh) Saturday, 1723 Bikrimi i.e. 22 December, 1666 at Patna  Sahib, Bihar.

The martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two younger sons  of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, born to Mata Jito Ji, which took place on  December 12, 1705 is an unprecedented event and a major landmark in the history of Sikhs.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, reverently known as 'Sarbans Danee' i.e. a person who sacrificed his 'sarbans' (whole family) for  helping the oppressed and protecting a person's right to profess the religion of his  own choice.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth prophet-teacher of the Sikhs was  cruelly martyred by beheading him on November 11, 1675 in Chandni Chowk, Delhi  under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb. Besides martyring Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur  Sahib, Aurangzeb also passed orders that the whole family of the person who goes  near the deceased's body will be annihilated.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji (1670-1716), a brave Sikh warrior and  founder of the Sikh Rule in Punjab was born on October 27, 1670 at Rajauri in Punchh District of Jammu and Kashmir. His early name was Lachhman Dev. His father Ram Dev Ji, a Rajput farmer trained him in martial arts in early childhood.  At the age of fifteen, the sight of a dying pregnant doe during one of his  hunting excursions made him leave his home as penitence and become an  ascetic. He joined Bairagi Ram Das who named him 

Bhagat Namdev Ji also spelled as Nam Dev Ji, his full name being Namdev Damaji  Relekar is one of the 15 Bhagats whose hymns Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Sri  Adi Granth Sahib. In compiling Sri Adi Granth Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in  addition to the hymns of his predecessor Sikh Gurus and his own hymns included  the hymns of 15 Bhagats, 11 Bhatts and four others closely associated with the Sikh  Gurus.

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji (1534-1581) the Fourth Guru or spiritual  mentor of the Sikhs was born on 25 Assuu Sammat 1591 i.e. 24 September 1534 in his ancestral place Chuna Mandi area, Lahore (now in Pakistan). At his birthplace now stands Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das Ji. The words Ram Das mean 'servant' or 'slave of God'. His earlier name was 'Jetha' which means first born. In fact, he was the only child. His father Hari Das Ji, Sodhi Khatri by Caste was a shopkeeper.

Saradhs also called sharadhs are forbidden in the Sikh religion whereas in the Hindu religion saradhs are held in memory of the deceased ancestors every year in the month of Asu, the seventh desi month which corresponds to the month of September.

The town of Sultanpur Lodhi which falls in the present-day Kapurthala District of Punjab is a sacred place for the Sikhs. Among the sacred places relating to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) the first prophet-teacher of the Sikhs, in addition to Nankana Sahib, District Nankana Sahib (Pakistan), Kartarpur Sahib, District Narowal (Pakistan), and Dera Baba Nanak, District Gurdaspur of Punjab this town is of paramount importance for the Sikhs.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the main historical Gurdwaras were under the control of mahants. It may be added that originally the superior of a religious establishment was called a mahant.  In earlier days the word mahant referred to the leaders of Nath deras. But during the 18th and 19th centuries, many Gurdwaras were occupied by hereditary controllers who became virtual owners of their respective Gurdwaras and came to be known as mahants.

 The great martyr Baba Jai Singh Khalkat Ji, Ravidasia by caste was born in the village Mughal Majra which was situated on Sirhind-Patiala Road at a distance of about 25 kms from Sirhind and about 6-7 kms from Patiala in Tehsil and District Patiala of Punjab.

Bhagat Kabir Ji's full name was Kabir Das. 'Kabir' in Arabic language means  'great` and the word 'dasa' in Sanskrit language meansa slave or a servant.He is one  of the medieval Indian Saints of Bhakti and Sufi movements whose compositions Sri  Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Adi Granth Sahib. While compiling Adi Granth Sahib  Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included the compositions of 15 Bhagtas, 11 Bhatts and 4  other holy men.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji (1670-1716), a brave Sikh warrior and

founder of the Sikh Rule in Punjab was born on October 27, 1670 at Rajauri in

Punchh District of Jammu and Kashmir. His early name was Lachhman Dev.

 Every year several lac Sikh pilgrims pay their obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt  Sahib which is situated in the Himalayas in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand State  of India at a height of about 15,210 feet above the sea level. ‘Hemkunt’ means  ‘Receptacle of Ice’. This holy shrine is dedicated to the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs Sri  Guru Gobind Singh Sahib who in his autobiographical work Bachitar Natak has  stated that in his previous life he meditated the Name of God at a place he has  mentioned as

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606), the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs was born on  Baisakh Vadi 7, 1620 Bikrimi i.e. April 15, 1563 at Goindwal Sahib, which now falls  in the present day Tarn Taran district of Punjab. He was the third and youngest son  of Bhai Jetha Ji who later named as Sri Guru Ram Das Ji became the Fourth Guru  of the Sikhs and Bibi (Lady) Bhani Ji, daughter of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third  Guru of the Sikhs.

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji was born on Baisakh Sudi 14, 1636 Bikrami  i.e. May 5, 1479 at Basarke Gillan village, which is about 13 kms. south west from Amritsar, in district Amritsar, Punjab. In his fond memory, in this  village at his birth place Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan Sri Guru Amar Das  Ji has been established. His paternal great grandfather Vishan Das Ji  belonged to Bhalla Khatri family and was a shopkeeper at village Basarke.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji (1670-1716), a brave Sikh warrior and

founder of the Sikh Rule in Punjab was born on October 27, 1670 at Rajauri in

Punchh District of Jammu and Kashmir. His early name was Lachhman Dev. His

father Ram Dev Ji, a Rajput farmer trained him in martial arts in early childhood.

At the age of fifteen, the sight of a dying pregnant doe during one of his

hunting excursions made him leave his home as penitence and become an

ascetic.

The second prophet-teacher of the Sikhs, first known as Lahina Ji and then named 'Angad' by  Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on Baisakh Vadi 1, Sammat 1561 Bikrami which  corresponded with 31 March, 1504. His father Bhai Pheru Ji also known as Bhai Pheru Mal  Ji, a Trehan Khatri by caste lived in the village 'Matte Di Sarai', now known as 'Sarai Nanga' 

Shaikh Farid Ji‟s four shabads (hymns) two in raag soohi and two in raag assa  and 112 slokes have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He was born in  1173 AD in the month of Ramadan. His place of birth which is close to Multan,  was called Kotheval which is about 10-12 miles from Multan which is now  popularly known as Chawli Mashayakh. On April 4, 1179 AD his father died  when he was still a child, his mother Bibi Kursham Ji an extremely pious lady  brought him up. The newly born child is said to have been named after the Sufi  poet Fariduddin Attar, author of several works on Sufi philosophy.

Bhagat Namdev Ji also spelled as Nam Dev Ji, his full name being Namdev Damaji  Relekar is one of the 15 Bhagats whose hymns Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Sri  Adi Granth Sahib. In compiling Sri Adi Granth Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in addition to the hymns of his predecessor Sikh Gurus and his own hymns included the hymns of 15 Bhagats, 11 Bhatts and four others closely associated with the Sikh Gurus.

  Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of the solar month of Baisakhi. It is termed as 'Baisakhi' because as per astrological calculations at this time the moon passes through visakha nakshatra or constellation of the Indian calendar. This festival falls when the farmers have just finished harvesting the wheat crop.

 Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib (1630-1661) the seventh Guru of the Sikh faith was born on January 16, 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib in District Ropar of Punjab. He was the son of Baba Gurditta Ji (1613-1638) and grandson of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib (1595-1644) the sixth Guru of the Sikh faith. This year his birth anniversary is being celebrated on February 1 all over the world.

 Bhagat Sur Das Ji also spelled as Bhagat Surdas Ji, son of Pandit Ravidas Ji is one of the medieval Bhagat poets who was honoured by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji by including his one line in Raag Sarang in Sri Adi Granth Sahib (SGGS, Page 1253). In compiling Sri Adi Granth Sahib, the Holy Scripture Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in addition to the hymns of his four predecessor Sikh Gurus and his own hymns included the hymns of 15 bhagats, 11 Bhatts, and four others closely associated with the Sikh Gurus.

Bhagat Ravidas Ji (1377-1527) was born to Raghu Ji and Ghurbinia Ji at Seer  Goverdhanpur in Varanasi (also known as Banaras), Uttar Pradesh. In his sacred memory, at his birthplace, Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir has been established. The picture of this Mandir is being given at the end of this write-up.