DAGGO, BHAI

DAGGO, BHAI. a rich landlord of Dhamtan, now in Jind district of Haryana, was a masand having jurisdiction over the Bangar region during the time of Guru Tegh Bahadur. When the Guru visited Dhamtan in 1665, Bhai Daggo received him with exceeding joy and put him up in a new house he had constructed. The Guru showered his blessings upon him: “For meeting me with presents, milk shall abound in thy house. Minister to the Sikhs and devotees, and remain with us during our stay in this place.” Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed at Dhamtan to celebrate the festival of Divali.

According to Sarup Das Bhalla, Mahima Prakash, supported by evidence of the Bhatt Vahis and an old Assamese journal Padshah Buranji, the Guru one day, while out on chase in a forest near Dhamtan, was arrested by an imperial officer, `Alam Khan Ruhila, and taken to Delhi. The Sikhs arrested along with him included Bhai Daggo. They were, however, all released through the intercession of Kunvar Ram Singh of Jaipur who stood surety for the Guru. Bhai Daggo thereupon came back to Dhamtan while Guru Tegh Bahadur resumed his interrupted journey towards the eastern provinces.

Ten years later, when Guru Tegh Bahadur again passed through Dhamtan, Bhai Daggo served him with devotion. According to Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Sura] Granth, the Guru before leaving Dhamtan gave him funds for the construction of a public well and a dharamsala for the travellers. Bhai Daggo, it is said, became selfish and had the well dug in his own fields.

References :

1. Bhalla, Sarup Das, Mahima Prakash. Patiala, 1971
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Sura; Granth. Amritsar, 1926-37
3. Macauliffe, M.A., The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909