Brief Jeevni of Sardar Aghar Singh Ji
Sikh History is full of accounts of brave warriors who risked their lives to upkeep the Panthik spirit. One such example is Sardar Aghar Singh Ji – the brave warrior who was responsible for bringing Nawab Momin Khan to justice for his horrendous crimes.
Although not much detailed information has been recorded about this great warrior in history books, Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha writes in his Mahaan Kosh that Sardar Aghar Singh was the nephew of Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Ji and fought many wars against the forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
In addition, according to Giani Gian Singh Ji's Panth Parkash, Sardar Aghar Singh was one of the seven sons of Bhai Nagahia Ji, who was the elder brother of Bhai Mani Singh Ji. It has also been documented that Sardar Aghar Singh Ji was baptized by the Jatha of Bhai Mani Singh Ji.
One historical account of Bhai Sahib's life is as follows:
During the time when Zakriya Khan was serving as the governor of Lahore (after 1726), Momin Khan, the deputy governor, was determined to destroy the Sikhs. It is said that even though he was generally against all non-Muslims, he had a personal grudge against the Sikhs and thus mostly Sikhs were the ones who became victim of his cruelty. Continuing with his post as the deputy governor until the time of Meer Mannu, Momin Khan had well established himself as 'The Slayer of Sikhs'. Masses of the Sikh women and children who were martyred at Shaheedganj in Lahore were killed under supervision of Momin Khan.
Seeing the brutalities of Momin Khan increasing day by day, a Gurmatta was passed by Sikh Sangat under the leadership of Nawab Kapur Singh Ji (Dal Khalsa) to execute Momin Khan at the earliest. This was definitely not going to be an easy job, as Momin Khan kept a company of over 100 guards at all times. Not caring about his own life, Sardar Aghar Singh stood up and requested that Sikh Sangat performs ardas for his victory. It was decided that Bhai Sahib would go to Lahore a disguised Muslim peasant and take revenge against Momin Khan.
Thus with the Gurmatta of Sarbat Khalsa, Sardar Aghar Singh left for Lahore. It has been attested that he spent many days making friends with personal assistants of Momin Khan. Sardar Aghar Singh was working so marvelously that after coming in contact with the superior officials, he was appointed to become one of the personal bodyguards of Momin Khan. The day of fulfillment of Khalsa Panth's ardas was not far now. Just like Bhai Sukha Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh revenged Massa Ranghar, seeking the right time, Sardar Aghar Singh axed Momin Khan's head with one strike. Although Sardar Aghar Singh was unaccompanied by any other Sikh during this incident, he was able to escape the outnumbering Mughal forces in Lahore. Not only this, he also took the slain head as an attestation and presented it to Guru Khalsa Panth.
Bhai Sahib continued living a simple life after the incident and never sought any superior rank or status. He continued to aid the Khalsa in battles against the Mughal forces. It was in January 1764 when Bhai Sahib achieved martyrdom while fighting against forces of Zain Khan (Provincial Governor of Sirhand). Shortly after, Khalsa forces led by Sardar Jassa Singh of the Ahluwalia Misl captured Lahore in a battle against Ahmad Shah Abdali's Afghani forces and slewed Zain Khan.
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Sikh History is full of accounts of brave warriors who risked their lives to upkeep the Panthik spirit. One such example is Sardar Aghar Singh Ji – the brave warrior who was responsible for bringing Nawab Momin Khan to justice for his horrendous crimes.
Although not much detailed information has been recorded about this great warrior in history books, Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha writes in his Mahaan Kosh that Sardar Aghar Singh was the nephew of Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Ji and fought many wars against the forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
In addition, according to Giani Gian Singh Ji's Panth Parkash, Sardar Aghar Singh was one of the seven sons of Bhai Nagahia Ji, who was the elder brother of Bhai Mani Singh Ji. It has also been documented that Sardar Aghar Singh Ji was baptized by the Jatha of Bhai Mani Singh Ji.
One historical account of Bhai Sahib's life is as follows:
During the time when Zakriya Khan was serving as the governor of Lahore (after 1726), Momin Khan, the deputy governor, was determined to destroy the Sikhs. It is said that even though he was generally against all non-Muslims, he had a personal grudge against the Sikhs and thus mostly Sikhs were the ones who became victim of his cruelty. Continuing with his post as the deputy governor until the time of Meer Mannu, Momin Khan had well established himself as 'The Slayer of Sikhs'. Masses of the Sikh women and children who were martyred at Shaheedganj in Lahore were killed under supervision of Momin Khan.
Seeing the brutalities of Momin Khan increasing day by day, a Gurmatta was passed by Sikh Sangat under the leadership of Nawab Kapur Singh Ji (Dal Khalsa) to execute Momin Khan at the earliest. This was definitely not going to be an easy job, as Momin Khan kept a company of over 100 guards at all times. Not caring about his own life, Sardar Aghar Singh stood up and requested that Sikh Sangat performs ardas for his victory. It was decided that Bhai Sahib would go to Lahore a disguised Muslim peasant and take revenge against Momin Khan.
Thus with the Gurmatta of Sarbat Khalsa, Sardar Aghar Singh left for Lahore. It has been attested that he spent many days making friends with personal assistants of Momin Khan. Sardar Aghar Singh was working so marvelously that after coming in contact with the superior officials, he was appointed to become one of the personal bodyguards of Momin Khan. The day of fulfillment of Khalsa Panth's ardas was not far now. Just like Bhai Sukha Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh revenged Massa Ranghar, seeking the right time, Sardar Aghar Singh axed Momin Khan's head with one strike. Although Sardar Aghar Singh was unaccompanied by any other Sikh during this incident, he was able to escape the outnumbering Mughal forces in Lahore. Not only this, he also took the slain head as an attestation and presented it to Guru Khalsa Panth.
Bhai Sahib continued living a simple life after the incident and never sought any superior rank or status. He continued to aid the Khalsa in battles against the Mughal forces. It was in January 1764 when Bhai Sahib achieved martyrdom while fighting against forces of Zain Khan (Provincial Governor of Sirhand). Shortly after, Khalsa forces led by Sardar Jassa Singh of the Ahluwalia Misl captured Lahore in a battle against Ahmad Shah Abdali's Afghani forces and slewed Zain Khan.
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