Sahib Singh Bedi


Baba Sahib Singh Bedi is a renowned Sikh Brahmgiani Saint, who was a direct tenth-generation lineal descendant of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.

Early life

Baba Sahib Singh Bedi was born to parents Baba Ajit Singh Bedi and Mata Sarupan Devi on 7 April 1756 at Dera Baba Nanak in the traditional Punjabi month of Chet ''sudi. His birth is said to be prophesised by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Ajit Singh, Sahib Singh's father, had been baptized by Guru Gobind Singh himself. In 1770, his family shifted from Dera Baba Nanak to Una located at the foothills of the Sivalik Hills region, where they held land. His grandfather, Baba Kaladhari, had been the one to establish the Bedi family at Una earlier in 1695 and Ajit Singh was the one who constructed a family-compound at the location.
When he was around 18 years old, Sahib Singh Bedi visited Anandpur Sahib, where he was initiated into the Khalsa by Baba Sobha Singh of Bhai Daya Singh Samparda'', who was a beloved Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh. Sobha Singh was given the duty of taking care of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib by the tenth Guru, becoming known as Jathedar Baba Sobha Singh amongst the Sikhs. He preached the message and the teachings of Sikhi and initiated many into the Khalsa through Amrit Sanskar.

Later life

According to one account, Sahib Singh Bedi attacked and destroyed Maler.
Baba Sahib Singh Bedi was greatly respected by the Sikh misldars during the era of the Sikh Confederacy and acted as a common uniting cause between the various bickering, rival chiefs against an outside enemy. He played a pivotal role in the unification of the Sikh Misls and the establishment of the Sikh Empire. Furthermore, Baba Sahib Singh was responsible for applying the tilak and saffron paste during the coronation ceremony of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on 11th or 12th April 1801 in Lahore.
Baba Sahib Singh was respected as the Rajguru of the Sikh Empire, admired by not only the Maharaja and the Sikhs, but also the non-Sikh population. He was also the founder of the locality of Bedian located near Lahore on tracts of land allotted to him by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He established a Sikh religious educational school at Bedian, partly choosing this location to combat the rival heretic Mina sect, founded by the disgruntled and rebellious Prithi Chand, which was headquartered at Heir village nearby. Baba Sahib Singh is renowned for preaching the teachings of the Sikh Gurus to the masses, initiating countless into Khalsa.
Baba Sahib Singh died on 17 July 1834 in Una. He was survived by two sons, Bishan Singh and Bikram Singh. His many students included Baba Bhag Singh of Kuri, who was given Amrit by Baba Sahib Singh himself.

Legacy

Sobha Ram wrote an Gurbilas text on Sahib Singh Bedi called Gurbilas Baba Sahib Singh Bedi. In the text, supernatural powers are attributed to Sahib Singh. Furthermore, Sahib Singh is portrayed not only as a descendant of Guru Nanak but also as an incarnation of Guru Gobind Singh.
The samadh of Sahib Singh Bedi is located in Una, Himachal Pradesh.

Lineage

The direct lineage going down to Sahib Singh Bedi from Guru Nanak is as follows:
  1. Guru Nanak
  2. Lakhmi Das
  3. Dharam Chand
  4. Mehar Chand/Manik Chand
  5. Datār Chand
  6. Pahar Chand
  7. Harkaran Chand
  8. Nihal Chand
  9. Baba Kaladhari
  10. Ajit Singh Bedi/Jit Singh
  11. Sahib Singh Bedi