Randhir Singh
Encyclopedia
Randhir Singh, born Basant Singh, 1878–1961, is regarded by many Sikhs as a Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
.
He wrote extensively on Gurbani and the Sikh way of life, pioneered the Gurdwara Sudhaar Movement, and founded the Akhand Kirtani Jatha
Akhand Kirtani Jatha
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha is a jatha of Sikhs....
(AKJ) which is a Jatha (group) inferior to the Nihang
Nihang
Nihang is an armed Sikh order. Early Sikh military history is dominated by the Akali Nihang military order, particularly for many famous military victories won while often heavily outnumbered. The Akali Nihang have historically been held in great affection and respect by Sikhs due the pivotal role...
Jathebandia.
Randhir Singh
Randhir Singh's original name before baptism and initiation into the Khalsa was Basant Singh.He was born in the village of Narangwal in the Ludhiana District of Punjab on July 7, 1878 to a family of a very noble and devout heritage.
His father, S. Natha Singh, was a learned scholar of Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Persian and English, who initially worked as a District Inspector of Schools but later rose to the rank of a Judge in the High Court of the State of Nabha.
As a Judge, he became well known for combining justice with mercy, compassion, humanity and diligence.
His mother, Sardarni Punjab Kaur, was a direct seventh-generation descendant of a very devout, eminent, and saintly Gursikh, Bhagtu, a very distinguished disciple of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Sahib and Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib.
Thus, Randheer Singh inherited scholarship and strength of mind from his paternal side and qualities of piety and devotion from his maternal side.
He completed his schooling in Nabha
Nabha
Nabha is a city and municipal council in the Patiala district to the south-west of the Indian state of Punjab. In 1998, the annual income of Nabha state was Rs 1,50,000/-.- Princely State of Nabha :...
and higher education from Government and Foreman Christian Colleges at Lahore.
Randhir Singh wrote various books on Sikh theology, philosophy, and the Sikh way of life.
He was charged in 1914 with waging war against the British Crown and had to undergo life-imprisonment from 1914 to 1931.
He died on Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi is an ancient harvest festival celebrated across North Indian states, especially Punjab by all Punjabis regardless of religion. In Sikhism the Khalsa was founded on same day as the Vaisakhi festival, so Sikhs celebrate twice as much....
, April 13, 1961.
His Saskaar (cremation
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
) took place at the pond between Gujjarwal and Narangwal
Narangwal
Narangwal is a village in Ludhiana Punjab, India, where most of the Grewal clan live. The Grewals are Jats and are mainly Sikhs.Population of NRIs from Narangwal 400-References:...
.
he wrote about Sheed Bhagat Singh that He had expressed, as his last wish before being hanged, the desire to get "amrit" from Randhir Singh and to once again adorn the 5 k's.[76][77] However, his last wish, of getting "amrit" was not granted by the British.[77].
Prominence
Randhir Singh was very prominent in the Sikh religion and politics.There was wide recognition of his high spiritual character and achievements, as well as sacrifices for the freedom of the Sikhs and India.
During the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
, many of the Jatha went to jail in the anti-British movement, and suffered torture.
Randhir Singh and Attar Singh, with many other pious Sikhs, had brought a lot of change in the Sikh nation via the Gurdwara Sudhaar Movement.
They worked under the banner of the Panch Khalsa Divan.
Conference at Patiala
There was a huge conference at Patiala, Panjab, organised by the Maharaja of PatialaMaharaja of Patiala
The Maharaja of Patiala was a maharaja in India and the ruler of the princely state of Patiala in Punjab. The first Maharaja of Patiala was Baba Ala Singh , who was granted the title by Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan in 1764....
.
Randhir Singh was made president of the conference, and he gave a powerful address in this conference condemning the corrupt forces in the Sikh nation.
Randhir Singh told the Maharaja that his throne had been blessed to him by the True Guru, and that he must give his kingdom to the Sikh nation, or he would lose it: such has happened today.
Attempts were made to intimidate Randhir Singh at that conference to prevent him speaking his beliefs, but Randhir Singh was full of Tat Gurmat (pristine Guru's message) and passion.
Giani Amolak Singh and other Gursikhs stood with Randhir Singh to make sure Tat Gurmat was stated.