Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji

History - A sacrifice to remember

Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji was the son of Bhai Paraaga ji and grandson of Mahatma Gautam, who was a pious man living an exemplary life and was respected by both Hinds and Muslim residents of his village.

Bhai Paraaga Ji was a tall and very healthy man. He was a resident of village Kariala of Jhelum district (now in Pakistan). This village is situated at a distance of about 10 kilometers from Chakwal (Tehsil Town) beside the road running between Chakwal and Kataas Raj. This area was popularly known, as "Dhanni". Kataas Raj was a sacred town for Hindus. Small hillocks & streams dot the beautiful landscape there.

When the sixth Guru Sri Hargobind Sahib Ji, while returning from Kashmir, halted at a place called Naraali in District Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) Hindus and Sikhs came in large numbers to pay their respects to him. The sixth Guru of the Sikhs appreciated arms, fine horses and brave men as a result of which his Sikh disciples had started presenting such items to him. The ruling Mughal Emperor of India had promulgated many oppressive orders against the Hindus & others non-Muslims. Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji exhorted his followers to disobey those discriminatory laws. Spirited young man from Hindu community became Guru's Sikhs in large numbers and the fearless among them enrolled as Guru's soldiers.

Bhai Paraaga Ji was one such courageous young man of Hindu community who became Sikh of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji along with his four sons-Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Jati Das & Bhai Sakhi Das. He and his sons remained in active service of Sikh gurus & fought along with other brave Sikh soldiers in the battles launched against Guru Har Gobind by the rulers of the time.

Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji appointed Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji his Treasurer. Like his father, Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji was a well-built young man whose actions were in union with his sayings.

While serving as Treasurer, Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji imbibed from Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji the qualities of sympathy and goodwill for the cause of the poor, needy and the oppressed. He was also witness to the unflinching faith & integrity of many Sikhs of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji. His service at Guru’s court moulded Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji into a disciple overflowing with courage and conviction, who could lay down his life at the slightest bidding of the Guru.

He was present at the court of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji when Kashmiri Brahmins, led by Pandit Kirpa Ram sought Guru’s refuge against the atrocities being committed on Hindus under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb by Sher Afghan, the Governor of Kashmir. Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji asked Kashmiri Brahmins to deliver a message to Aurangzeb that if he could persuade Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib to become a Muslim, then all the Brahmins of India would willingly become Muslims. Kashmiri Brahmins went away and they sent Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib’s message to Emperor Aurangzeb through the Governor of Lahore. Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji also endorsed the decision taken by Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib for the protection of Hindu religion from the onslaught of tyrant Aurangzeb.

In November 1675 A.D., on his way to Delhi to meet Aurangzeb, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji was arrested at Agra along with three of his Sikhs - Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji and Bhai Dayala Ji. The Kazis (interpreters of Islamic law) of Aurangzeb tried their best to doctor Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji into Islam through persuasion. When they failed to convince the Guru that Islam (religion of muslims) was superior and all means to spread this superior religion were justified, Aurangzeb decided to instill fear in the mind of the Guru by first torturing to death his three jailed companions.

Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji was the first to be picked up for torture & he was brought to open space in Chandni Chowk Delhi with his hands & legs bound with iron shackles. Hundreds of people had gathered there to watch the well-advertised events that were to be unfolded gradually. There was no sign of fear on the face of Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji. Instead he was looking calm & serene and was absorbed in the Simran (repetitive recitation of God’s name).

Kazis promised Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji a luxurious life in this world & recommendation for heaven by Prophet Mohammed if he agreed to become a Muslim and on refusal he was threatened that he would be sawn alive. Neither persuasion nor threats by Kazis could deter Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji from his unflinching faith in Sikh religion. His answer to them was, "You are wasting your time. My religion is most precious for me. I can sacrifice a thousand heavens for the sake of sacred Sikhism."

The Kazi asked Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji if he had any last wish before he was done to death. Bhai Mati Das told them to allow him to die facing Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, who was brought to Chandni Chowk in a cage to witness the brutal killings.

Fulfilling his last wish, Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji was bound between two thick logs of wood. Two dreadful looking executioners placed a big saw on Bhai Sahib’s head. Once again the Kazi told Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji that he could even now save his life by agreeing to be converted to Islam. Bhai Sahib gave no reply and remained absorbed in Simran.

On the signal of the Kazi, the executioners started sawing Bhai sahib’s body. Fountains of blood shot up high from the body of Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji drenching the executioner's clothes as well. Within no time Shaheed Bhai Mati Das Ji was sawed into two pieces. But the godly persons can never ever be cut by or cant be turned into peices by some crooks of this world. And in fact even after this brutal incident took place bhai sahib's body's two parts contnue to recite Japji Sahib. Yes its true that voice of Japji Sahib was coming out on its own and bhai sahib calmly left this world to merge in his guru i.e. Sri Guru Tegh Nahadur Sahib Ji, the almighty. Thus Bhai Mati Das gave his life for his faith bravely.

Bhai Mati Das, by his example of stead-fastedness & courage, pleased both Guru Teg Bahadur & God. His conduct became a beacon of light for the other followers of Sikhism for generations to come.