Baba Moti Ram Mehra ji (24th December, 1704)
On the 24th December, 1704, Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh ji, Baba
Fateh Singh ji along with Jagat Mata Gujriji (mother of Guru Gobind
Singh Ji) were arrested by Kotwal Jaani Khan of Morinda at Kheri, the
native village of Gangu Ram.Gangu was a servant of Guru Gobind Singh who
was allured by the money and jewellery which Mata Gujri ji carried and
,thus, informed the Kotwal of Morinda about their presence in his house.
Jaani Khan brought them as prisoners to Sirhind. Faujdar Wazir Khan of
Sirhind imprisoned them in theThanda Burj (cold Fort). Baba Moti Ram
Mehra was a servant in the HIndu kitchen of the Faujdar. He used to
serve food to the Hindu prisoners. Jagat Mata Gujri ji refused to accept
the food of the Mughal kitchen as well as that which came from Diwan
Sucha Nand’s house. Baba Moti Ram Mehra was a great follower of Sikh
Gurus. He used to serve the sikhs on their way to Ananadpur Sahib and
back to their homes. The sikhs took rest at his mud house, where the
mother of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and Bibi Bholi, wife of Mehra ji prepared
food for these sikhs. When Jagat Mata Gujriji refused to accept the
food, Baba Moti Ram Mehra could not bear the Sahibzadas sleeping hungry.
He came home and told his family that he would serve milk and fresh
water to these great prisoners. His mother and wife wee scared and tried
to persuade him not to take such a step. Bibi Bholi, wife of Mehra ji,
told him that the Wazir Khan had made an announcement in the town that
whoever tried to help and serve any type of food to the sons of the
tenth Guru, he along with his family would be crushed alive in a
Kohlu,(the oil squeezer). This information could not change the resolve
of Baba ji. His mother told him that there were so many followers of the
Guru in the town, they could have dared to serve the Sahibzadas. Baba
Moti Ram Mehra humbly, but with determination, told his mother that
those followers feared the ruler . “Aren't you scared, my son?” asked
the mother. Baba Mehra ji humbly replied,“Dear mother our Guru is
fighting against injustice of the Mughals. I will serve the great mother
and the Sahibzadas. I don’t fear the punishment of the Faujdar. The
history will not forgive us if we do not serve the great prisoners."
Sensing his determination, his wife gave him her silver jewellery and
some coins and requested him,” Please bribe the gate man of the Burj and
request him to keep this act a secret.” Baba ji praised his wife for
participation in the great cause.Baba Moti Ram served milk and water to
the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri ji for three nights. On 27th December
1704, the Sahibzadas were slain after bricking them alive in the
foundation of the wall. Mata Gujri ji also breathed her last. Raja Todar
Mall of Sirhind performed the cremation. He told Baba Mehra ji to
arrange a cart of Chandan wood, which he brought from the forests of
Atta Ali. After some time, Pumma, the brother of Gangu, told the Faujdar
that his servant (Cook) had served the prisoners with milk and water.
Baba Moti Ram Mehra, his mother, wife and a little son were arrested. He
did not conceal his act and boldly told the Faujdar that, it was his
dharma to serve the young children and the aged mother of Guru Gobind
Singhji. So, Baba Moti Ram Mehra along with his father were sentenced to
the death by being squeezed in a squeezer (Kohlu). His sacrifice was
first sermonized by Baba Banda Bahadur ji. Now his followers and kin of
his caste have constituted a Charitable Trust. A Gurudwara named
Memorial Baba Moti Ram Mehra has been constructed opposite Rauza Sharif
200 Mts. away from Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib by theTrust. The land was
donated by Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee.
