UDE SINGH

UDE SINGH (d. 1705), warrior and martyr, was the third of the sons of Bhai Mani Ram, a Parmar Rajput of `Alipur in Multan district (now in Pakistan). Ude Singh along with four of his other brothers received the rites of the Khalsa on the historic Baisakhi day, 30 March 1699. He was among the trusted 25 who constituted Guru Gobind Singh`s escort and took a leading part in battles fought in or around Anandpur after the creation of the Khalsa. Already in 1698 he had proved his skill as a musketeer when he killed a tiger during the chase.

He had daringly wounded and overcome Balia Chand, who along with another hill chieftain, `Alam Chand, had surprised the Guru while hunting in the valley. On the eve of the first battle of Anandpur in 1700, Ude Singh, after assisting in the strengthening of defences, took over command of the reserve. According to Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, it was through him that Sahibzada Ajit Singh, the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh, asked for his father`s permission to take part in the combat. The Guru acceded to the request but asked Ude Singh to accompany him with 100 warriors.

Ude Singh fought valiantly in the battle that ensued and, although wounded severely during the first day`s battle, he participated in the night attack launched against the besieger and killed in single combat the following day Raja Kesri Chand of Jasvan. He fought with similar distinction in the battles of Nirmohgarh, Basoli and Kalmot and in the last battle of Anandpur Ude Singh took over command of the rearguard from Sahibzada Ajit Singh as the besieged were marching out after evacuating Anandpur on the night of 56 December 1705. He was killed fighting desperately against the pursuing host, vastly superior in numbers, at a low mound called Shahi or Siahi Tibbi, 6 km south of Kiratpur. A small gurdwara at Shahi Tibbi now honours his memory.

References :

1. Kuir Singh, Gurbilas Patshahl 10, ed. Shamsher Singh Ashok. Patiala, 1968
2. Sukha Singh, Gurbilas Dasvin Patshahl. Lahore, 1912
3. Sainapati, Sri Gur Sobha, ed. Ganda Singh. Patiala, 1967
4. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35
5. Seva Singh, Shahid Bilas, ed. Giani Garja Singh. Ludhiana, 1961