BINOD SINGH,

BINOD SINGH, a Trehan Khatri in direct descent from Guru Angad, Nanak II, was a devoted disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and was among the few Sikhs who accompanied him to the South in 1708. He was chosen to be one of the five companions of Banda Singh (1670-1716) sent by the Guru in 1708 from Nanded to the Punjab to chastise the persecutors of the Sikhs. Binod Singh was Banda Singh`s ally in the campaign he launched upon arrival in the Punjab. In the battle of Sirhind fought in May 1710. Binod Singh commanded the left wing of Banda Singh`s army.

He was pitched against Sher Muhammad Khan of Malerkotia who was commander of Subahdar Wazir Khan`s right wing. After Banda Singh`s conquest of the province of Sirhind, the frontier district of Karnal. bordering on Delhi territory, was entrusted to Binod Singh. Soon thereafter, in October 1710, Binod Singh had to fight four battles the first at Taraori, 12 km north of Karnal, second at Amin, 25 km north of Karnal, third at Thanesar, 8 km farther north, and the fourth at Shahabad, 22 km north of Thanesar. In the schism in Banda Singh *s ranks into Tatt Khalsa and Bandai Sikhs in October 1714, Binod Singh with his followers parted company with Banda Singh.

He was, however, in two minds: he wanted to obey Mata Sundari`s command, and at the same time was unwilling to fight against Banda Singh. He remained at Amritsar. He was taken to Gurdas Nangal in the Mughal army to fight on their side. There he tried to retire without fighting. No sooner had Binod Singh started moving away at the head of his men than he was attacked by the imperial forces on all sides. According to Khafi Khan three to four thousand of his men were killed. Binod Singh is believed to have lost his life in this massacre, too. That was in 1716.

References :

1. Ganda Singh, Life of Banda Singh Bahadur. Amritsar, 1935
2. Gian Singh, Giani, Panth Prakash [Reprint]. Patiala, 1970
3. Padam, Piara Singh, and Giani Garja Singh, eds., Guru kian Sakhian. Patiala, 1986