Moti Ram Mehra

Baba
Moti Ram Mehra
Personal life
Died1704 (1705)
Sirhind Sarkar, Delhi Subah, Mughal Empire
Cause of deathExecution by crushing
Religious life
ReligionSikhism / Hinduism

Baba Moti Ram Mehra (fl. late 17th – early 18th century) was a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh who managed to enter the Thanda Burj and serve milk to Mata Gujri, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh where they were imprisoned by the Mughal Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan.[1][2]

Biography

Early life

Baba Moti Ram was born to Bholi and Hariya Ram. His uncle was Bhai Himmat Singh, a member of 1st Panj Pyare.[3] He used to live in live in a mud house with his wife, mother and a son.[4] He used to serve pilgrims (Sikhs and Hindus) on their way to Anandpur Sahib and back to their homes. The used to rest at Baba Moti Ram's mud house where his mother and wife used to prepare food for these pilgrims.[5][6]

Martydom

Diorama sculptural monument of the torture & execution of Baba Moti Ram & his family at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Tega Singh Ji, Chand Purana, Bagha Purana tehsil, Moga district, Punjab, India, April 2023

Moti Ram Mehra, disregarding the risk to his own life, managed to enter the Thanda Burj and served milk to Mata Gujri, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh for three nights, where they were kept under arrest as political prisoners by the Mughal Governor of Sirhind. On 27 December 1704, the Sahibzadas were martyred, and Mata Gujri also died.[7]

The Nawab was informed that his servant had served those prisoners with milk and water.[8] Nawab Wazir Khan ordered the arrest of Baba Moti Ram Mehra, his mother, wife, and son. He did not conceal his act and boldly told the Nawab that it was his pious duty to serve the imprisoned children and their grandmother.[9] Hence Baba Moti Ram Mehra, along with his family, was sentenced to death by being squeezed in a Kohlu (oil press). His sacrifice was first sermonized by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.[1][10]

According to Dr. Manmohan Singh Bhagowalia, some references about Baba Moti Ram are found in books such as 'Bansavalinaama Dasan Patshahiyaan Ka' by Kesar Singh Chhibber, 'Katha Guru Sutan Ki' by Dunna Singh Handuria, 'Gurpur Prakash' by Santren Bhai Prem Singh and 'Shaheednaama' by poet Kishan Singh.[3]

Memorial Gurdwara and gate

  • The Gurudwara in the memory of Baba Moti Ram is situated at a short distance from Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib at Bassi Road, Opp. Roza Sharif, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib. It was constructed by the Amar Shaheed Baba Moti Ram Mehra Charitable Trust.[11]
  • Baba Moti Ram Mehra Memorial Gate was constructed by Punjab Government in remembrance of his great sacrifices.[12][13]
  • Baba Moti Ram Mehra Park is a park located in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. It is about 0.49 kilometers away from the Fatehgarh Sahib railway station.[14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Moti Ram Mehra's sacrifice recalled". The Tribune. India. 28 December 2005. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Singh, S. Pirthi (1 July 2020). "ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦੇ" [Sahibzade]. Baal Virsa (Punjabi) (in Punjabi). Virsa Publications. p. 19. ISBN 978-93-87152-25-0.
  3. 1 2 Bhagowalia, Dr. Manmohan Singh (25 December 2018). "ਬਾਬਾ ਮੋਤੀ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਹਾਦਤ - Martyrdom of baba Moti Ram Mehra". Punjabi Jagran (E-Newspaper) (in Punjabi). Retrieved 30 April 2026. 1. ਕਵੀ ਕਿਸ਼ਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਪੰਜਾਂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਵਿਚੋ ਭਾਈ ਹਿੰਮਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਾਬਾ ਮੋਤੀ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਦੇ ਚਾਚਾ ਜੀ ਸਨ। 2. । ਅਮਰ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਬਾਬਾ ਮੋਤੀ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਦਾ ਵੀ ਬਹੁਤਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ । ਉਹਨਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੇਸਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਛਿੱਬਰ ਦੇ 'ਬੰਸਾਵਲੀਨਾਮਾ ਦਸਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀਆਂ ਕਾ', ਦੁੱਨਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਹੰਡੂਰੀਆ ਦੇ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ 'ਕਥਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਤਨ ਕੀ', ਕਵੀ ਕਿਸ਼ਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ 'ਸ਼ਹੀਦਨਾਮਾ' ਅਤੇ ਸੰਤਰੇਣ ਭਾਈ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਲਿਖਤ ਗੁਰਪੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਆਦਿ ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਕੁਝ ਹਵਾਲਾ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ। [1. According to poet Kishan Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh was the uncle of Baba Moti Ram Mehra, one of the five beloveds. 2. The immortal martyr Baba Moti Ram Mehra is also not mentioned much. Some references about him are found in books such as Kesar Singh Chhibber's 'Bansavalinaama Dasan Patshahiyaan Ka', Dunna Singh Handuria's 'Katha Guru Sutan Ki', poet Kishan Singh's 'Shaheednaama' and Santren Bhai Prem Singh's 'Gurpur Prakash'.]
  4. ↑ Singh M.A., Karnail (6 February 2024). Sodhi, Harjinder (ed.). "ਜਨਮ ਦਿਵਸ 'ਤੇ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ : ਗੁਰੂ ਘਰ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਰਧਾਲੂ ਬਾਬਾ ਮੋਤੀ ਰਾਮ - Baba Moti Ram devotee of Guru Ghar". Punjabi Jagran (E-Newspaper) (in Punjabi). Retrieved 30 April 2026. ਬਾਬਾ ਮੋਤੀ ਰਾਮ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ 40 ਸਾਲ ਸੀ ਜੋ ਸਰਹਿੰਦ ਦੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਤੇ ਗ਼ਰੀਬ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਿਤ ਸਨ। ਆਪ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਇਸ਼ ਮਨਸੂਰੀਵ ਟਿੱਬੇ 'ਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਕੱਚੇ ਮਕਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਭੋਲੀ ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ 38 ਸਾਲ, ਬਿਰਧ ਮਾਤਾ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ 70 ਸਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਸੱਤ ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਨਾਲ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਸਨ। [Baba Moti Ram Mehra was 40 years old and belonged to a poor family from Sirhind. He lived in a mud house on the Mansuriv hill where he lived with his wife Bholi who was 38 years old, his elderly mother who was 70 years old and a seven year old son.]
  5. ↑ Reporters, Tribune (7 October 2008). "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab". Fatehgarh Sahib. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2025. Baba Moti Ram Mehra was a great follower of the Sikh Gurus. He used to serve Sikhs on their way to Anandpur Sahib and back to their homes. The Sikhs used to rest at his mud house where the mother of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and his wife used to prepare food for these pilgrims.
  6. ↑ Kumar, Raj (2008). Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern (This reference has been added to support the argument that Baba Moti Ram belonged to Jhinwar Caste.). Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-664-8. The Bhatyara is the baker and seller of ready-cooked food, who is found in all the caranaversaries (roadside inns) in towns and encamping grounds. It has been believed that almost without exception, a Jhinwar by caste.
  7. ↑ Singh, Kharak (2004). Martyrdom in Sikhism. Institute of Sikh Studies. p. 163. ISBN 978-81-85815-24-4. ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਬਰ ਮੋਤੀ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਆਣ ਕੇ ਮਾਤਾ ਗੁਜਰੀ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ | Moti Mehra comes and tells Mata Gujri Ji the news of the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas.
  8. ↑ Ajnala, Gurjit Kaur. Tu Hi Tu (in Punjabi). Good Will Publication. p. 55. ISBN 978-93-90525-04-1.
  9. ↑ KAUR, AMARJIT. RISHTIAN DA NIGH (in Punjabi). Good Will Publication. p. 36. ISBN 978-93-90525-59-1. ਇਹ ਗੁਰੂਦਵਾਰਾ ਬਾਬਾ ਮੋਤੀ ਰਾਮ ਜੀ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਦੀ ਯਾਦ ਵਿਚ ਬਣਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਜਾਨ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਹ ਕੀਤੇ ਬਗੈਰ ਮਾਤਾ ਗੁਜਰੀ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਛੋਟੇ ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਧ ਪਿਲਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ | This Gurudwara is built in the memory of Baba Moti Ram Ji Mehra, who, without caring for his life, served to feed milk to Mata Gujri Ji and the younger Sahibzadas.
  10. ↑ Singh, Jagjit. "Chapter 19: The Service of Moti Ram Mehra". Chaar Sahibzaade Sons of the Khalsa: (English Version). Jagga Jatt.
  11. ↑ "Martydom of Baba Moti Ram Ji & Family". Kashyap Rajput. Retrieved 19 April 2025. Today, a Gurudwara in the memory of Amar Shahid Baba Moti Ram Mehra is situated at a short distance from Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib at Bassi Road, Opp. Roza Sharif, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib
  12. ↑ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab". www.tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Memorial Gates". fatehgarhsahib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  14. ↑ "Baba Moti Ram Mehra Park - Park - Fatehgarh Sahib - Punjab | Yappe.in". yappe.in. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
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