LAKKHI SHAH OR LAKKHI RAI

LAKKHI SHAH OR LAKKHI RAI (d. 1680), son of Godhu Ram, a Yadobansi Rajput of the Barhtia clan, belonged to village of Khairpur in the present Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan. Also described as a banjara or roving trader, he was an affluent man with a permanent residence in Delhi. He was a disciple of the Gurus. According to Shahid Bilds Bhai Mani Singh, his daughter was married to Bhai Mani Ram of Alipur, near Multan, in 1659.

As Guru Tegh Bahadur`s body lay in the Chandni Chowk after execution, Lakkhi Shah, accompanied by his son Nagahia, passed along the site with his convoy of carts and, assisted by Bhai Dhuma son of Kanha, carried off the headless trunk in one of them. Bhai Jaita had already escaped with the head under cover of the dust storm then raging through the city. The body was taken to Lakkhi Shah`s residence in Raisina village. Since open cremation would not have been practicable, the entire house along with the body was set aflame.

A part of the remains of the burnt body was placed in an urn and buried. With the other part of the ashes, Lakkhi Shah went to Anandpur. Guru Gobind Singh blessed him for his devotion and service and consigned the ashes to the River Sutlej. Sardar Baghel Singh, one of the misl leaders, raised on the site in Delhi, in 1783, a shrine now known as Gurdwara Rikabganj. Lakkhi Shah died at Delhi on Jeth sudi 11, 1737 Bk/28 May 1680.

References :

1. Kuir Singh, Gurbilas Patshahi 10. Patiala, 1968
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-33
3. Garja Singh, Giani, ed., Shahid Bilas. Ludhiana, 1961
4. Macanliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909
5. Harbans Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Delhi, 1982