Artist Chamandeep Singh dwells into the history books to highlight the historic contribution of devout Bhai Jaita Ji, whose image he uses to portray the aftermath of the martyrdom of Ninth Master Guru Tegh Bahadur.  WSN showcases the remarkable digital painting.

YOUNG DIGITAL ARTIST, Alwar-born Chamandeep Singh Batra spent hours and hours over a period of 7 months this year -the year of the fourth centennial birth anniversary of the Ninth Guru, listening to the poetic rendition of the daring act of Bhai Jaita Ji, a devout Sikh of those times, who after the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, carried his Sees-head, from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib.

Researching the historical painting works of Sir Sobha Singh, Kirpal Singh and other western paintings and conscious of the fact that the face of the Gurus is not to be portrayed in deference to the true spirit of Shabad Guru of Sikhism, Chamandeep Singh has rendered a painting of how Bhai Jaita Ji, in a very caring, loving, devout and disciplined yet bold manner took the Sees -head of the Guru to Anandpur Sahib. 

Travelling through thick and thin, Bhai Jaita Ji reached Anandpur Sahib and placed the Sees -head at the feet of the child Guru- Gobind Rai, who eventually was the Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh. 

Chamandeep Singh has done many digital paintings, including the painting of the four martyrs of Saka Nakodar 1986.

“I hope Guru Sahib and my community accepts my humble Sewa through art.  In the coming  years, I propose to paint Bhai Jaita Ji placing Guru Sahib’s Sees-head, with Guru Gobind Singh and the remarkable bravery of Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara.”

Chamandeep Singh Batra, Digital Artist

Speaking to The World Sikh News, Chamandeep Singh Batra said, “This is my humble tribute to Guru Sahib’s contribution to respect for human rights at a time when the concept of human rights as we understand today is yet to evolve.”

“I hope Guru Sahib and my community accepts my humble Sewa through art.  In the coming  years, I propose to paint Bhai Jaita Ji placing Guru Sahib’s Sees-head, with Guru Gobind Singh and the remarkable bravery of Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara.”

History records that when the Ninth Master -Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded in the foreground of Delhi’s Chandni Chowk in 1675, two valiant Sikhs, risking their lives made a daring attempt to get hold of the headless body and the head of the martyr-Guru, from the entrapment of the Mughal security men who were surrounding the place and keeping onlookers at bay. 

Soon after the martyrdom, there was a wave of anger on the ground, the sky was red with anger and there was a thunderstorm as if nature was reacting to the inhuman and irreverent killing of the Guru. Bhai Gurdas Ji in his Vaars has also recorded this scenario in great detail. Taking advantage of the scenario, a devout Sikh -Bhai Jaita Ji, boldly entered the security ring and took away the head of the Ninth Master Guru Tegh Bahadur.  

The headless body was taken by Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara, who cremated the body by burning down his house, where today stands Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib, opposite the Parliament House of India.

When Bhai Jaita Ji, rechristened Bhai Jivan Singh after taking Khande-ki-Pahul -the Sikh initiation, at the hands of the Tenth Master -Guru Gobind Singh, brought the severed head of Guru Tegh Bahadur from Delhi where he was executed under the orders of Mughal India emperor Aurangzeb, he was given the epithet “Ranghareta Guru ka Beta -the beloved son of Guru Gobind Singh.”

According to the Encyclopedia of Sikhism by Harbans Singh, “Bhai Jivan Singh fell a martyr in the battle of Chamkaur on 7 December 1705. A Burj or a tower stands on the site as a monument to his memory.”

When Bhai Jaita Ji, rechristened Bhai Jivan Singh after taking Khande-ki-Pahul -the Sikh initiation, at the hands of the Tenth Master -Guru Gobind Singh, brought the severed head of Guru Tegh Bahadur from Delhi where he was executed under the orders of Mughal India emperor Aurangzeb, he was given the epithet “Ranghareta Guru ka Beta -the beloved son of Guru Gobind Singh.”

Significantly, there is a new twist about the route taken by Bhai Jaita Ji while traversing through jungles as portrayed by the young artist. One theory that appears more authentic is that he travelled through Baghpat, around 40 km from Delhi in present-day Uttar Pradesh, whereas the Haryana government would like us to believe that the first halt was at Badh Khalsa village near Sonipat. 

Like in many other cases which are unclear, historians can continue their research, but for the devout, it suffices to say that it was the remarkable contribution of Bhai Jaita Ji to take the head of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib to the Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh.