| 1816 |
Baba Ram Singh
Namdhari was born.
==> BABA RAM SINGH was born on 5th Magh sunmat 1872 in village
Rayia, Ludhiana, to father Jassa Singh and mother Sedha Kaur. Since
early childhood, Ram Singh was inclined to reciting God's name (Vaaheguru's
Naam simran). For a while, he served in the forces of Lahore darbar.
However in 1841 he left active service and joined the company of
Baba Balak Singh, whose preachings had enlightened thousands. Upon
receiving Naam Updaesh, Ram Singh settled in Bhaenni village and
engaged in extensive preaching of Sikh faith. On the Baisakhi day
of 1857, Baba Ram SIngh administered Pahul to teh Sikhs in his
village and created 22 centres in different parts of the country.
He started the Kuka branch. Kuka Sikhs wear white attire and a
malla made from white wool. Their practices include, giving Vaaheguru
Gurmantar in individual's ear; amrit is not partaken together, rather
given to individuals in isolation; practice of Hawaan ceremony;
rather than the traditional Parikarma around Guru Granth Sahib during
marriage ceremony, they recite lawan in presence of fire (Agni Haum).
During religious ceremonies, they yell, shout, and dance out of
love. The punjabi term for their yelling and shouting is Kukeh.
Hence they are popularly known as Kukas.
When the British government were alluring unemployed Sikh youths
into their armed forces, Baba Ram Singh was among many GurSikhs
who considered it inappropraite to serve a foreign government. He
initiated a non-cooperation movement at times when Congress wasn't
even born. It is because of their principles that the Namdari movement
came in direct conflict with the British government.
In 1871, the Kukas held a conference at Khote. Some recalcitrant
Kuka leaders, despite Baba Ram Singh's exhortation, attacked the
butchers at Amritsar on June 14, 1871 and at Raikot on 15th July,
1871. Baba Ram Singh was held responsible for thisrequirments were
restricted. But the Kuka intransigancy could not be stemmed. Again
some zealots attacked Malerkotla on January 15, 1872 and killed
Kotwal Ahmedkhan and 7 sepoys. 68 Kukas were captured near the village
Rar. 42 of whome were blown up with guns on January 17 under the
orders of M.L. Cowan, Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, while on
eboy was slaughtered to pieces. Next day the remaining 16 were blown
up under the orders of T.D. Forsy, the Commissioner, Ambala Division.
Only 2 Kuka women were spared. Namdhari's successfully evoked a
rebellion within a Army center. As a result 95 Namdhari Sikhs were
court marshaled. In 1872 a British armoury was looted and several
weapons were taken away. As a result, Baba Ram Singh and 12 of his
associates were exiled to Rangun, Burma. Baba Ram Singh died there
after 13 years of solitary confinement, on Nov. 29th, 1885.
Baba Ram Singh married Mai Jassah of Village Tharodh in Ludhiana
district and had two daughters. As a result, Baba Ram Singh's gaddhi
was assumed by his younger brother Bhai Budh Singh Ji. Later Bhai
Pratap Singh, son of Bhai Budh Singh assumed this gaddhi and continued
to serve the followers and visitors with langer and Akhand Kirtan.
-Ref. Mahan Kosh (pp. 1033-1034) Naraen Singh, Kau Kito Visahau?
Singh Brothers, Mai Sewa, Amritsar, ISBN 81-7205-003-8, 1986, 1990,
1992
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