Banda Singh (1670-1716) was born at Rajouri
in Jammu State and was known as Lachman Dev. Soon after a hunt, he turned ascetic: A
Bairagi, and took the name of Madho Das. He became a devotee of the Guru in September 1708
and sought his blessings. Guru Gobind Singh gave him a sword, five arrows, a flag and
battle drum and asked him to follow the five commandments: 1) Remain a celibate: do not
marry at all. 2) Speak the truth and act on it. 3) Serve and obey the Khalsa Panth. 4) Do
not establish a new sect or have yourself set up as king. 5) Be humble and not haughty.
Taking twenty-five Sikhs with him, Banda Singh proceeded to Punjab to punish the enemies
of the Khalsa Panth. The Mughal emperor was perturbed by the conquests of Banda Singh and
tortured him to death on 7th June 1716.
