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MAHAN SINGH, BHAl (d. 1705), one of the martyrs of Muktsar, collectively called Chali Mukte, the Forty Liberated Ones. He, in addition to Mata (Mother) Bhago, was the only one among the wounded who had some life still left in him. As the Guru went across to visit the site of the battle, he asked to know his dying wish. Mahan Singh humbly requested for the cancellation of the deed of renunciation he and some of his companions had signed before leaving Anandpur. The Guru immediately granted the request and tore up the piece of paper that was still in his possession. Mahan Singh died in peace with his head in the Guru\'s lap.
MAKKHAN SHAH, son of Naik Dase Shah, was a wealthy trader of the Lubana clan. He hailed from the village of Tanda, in present day Muzaffarabad district of Jammu and Kashmir. He was a devout Sikh and had received Guru Har Rai in his home during the latter\'s visit to Kashmir in 1660. Once a vessel carrying his wares went aground, and he vowed that if he reached the nearest port safely he would make to the Guru an offering of 500 gold mohars.
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MANAK TABRA, a village about 3 km north of Raipur Rani in Naraingarh subdivision of Ambala district, is sacred to Guru Gobind Singh, who visited it as he was travelling from Paonta to Anandpur in 1688. It was here that the Rani of Raipur came to see him. Gurdwara Dasviri Patshahi, one kilometre south of the village on the right bank of the river Tarigri, marks the site where the Guru had encamped. It is a double storeyed domed building with a verandah all around it. A separate complex contains the Guru ka Larigar and rooms for pilgrims. Special divans are held on the first of each Bikrami month and to mark important anniversaries on the Sikh calendar.
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MANSURPUR, now commonly called Chhintanvala because of its once famous chintz printing industry, is a historical old village, 14 km west of Nabha (30°22`N, 76°9`E) in Patiala district. Guru Nanak once visited the place and put up with a follower, Chandan Das, a Jara Khatri. A shrine was later established in the room on the first floor (chaubara) where the Guru had stayed. Although the building later collapsed, the shrine continued to be called and is still known as Gurdwara Chaubara Sahib.
MAYYA, BHAI, a Khullar Khatri, is mentioned among the prominent Sikhs of the time of Guru Ram Das. According to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhdn di Bhagat Maid, Bhai Mayya along with Bhai Japa and Bhai Nayya, both of the Khullar clan, and Bhai Tulsa, a Vohra Khatri, once waited upon Guru Ram Das and humbly spoke, "Tell us, True Lord, how to practise uddsi, how to be non attached while still being in the world." Guru Ram Das said, "Occupy yourself with gurbdm, even as you occupy yourself with the affairs of the world. As you read the Gurus` hymns or as you listen to the Gurus` hymns being recited, keep your attention on their meaning. Keep reciting Wahiguru even as you work with your hands.
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MIRZAPUR (25°10`N, 82°35`E), in Uttar Pradesh on the right bank of the River Gariga was visited by Guru Nanak, in the course of his travels across the country. When Guru Tegh Bahadur passed through the town in 1666 on his way from Allahabad to Varanasi, he met here a Sikh sangat. Separate shrines dedicated to the two Gurus are said to have existed once, but there are no traces of them left now. However, an old gurudwara, named Shri Nirmal Sarigat, stands near Narayan Ghat. It is a modestlooking building, with the Guru Granth Sahib seated on a marble platform in a small room. The shrine is managed by Nirmala priests.
MULA KIR, a Khatri of Kir sub caste mentioned among Guru Nanak`s devoted Sikhs by Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 13. As Mula one day appeared before the Guru to seek instruction, he was told to resort to the sabda, work honestly for his living and serve the Sikhs. He practised devoutly the precepts laid down by the Guru. He extended open hospitality to anyone who came to his door seeking food or shelter. Once, records Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Maid, there came to his house a man who had learnt much of the sacred word by heart but whose deeds were not in conformity with what he professed.
MEHKHASA (MAHISHA-ASURA) My Lord destroyed the demons without the practice of devotion including Sahasbahu, Madhukeet, Mehkhasa..... (Gauri M. l, p. 224) There is mention of two Mahishasuras in Hindu mythology. In Mahabharata, there is mention of this buffalo-headed demon being killed by Skanda. In Markandeya Purana\'s Durga Saptashati, a demon of this name was killed by Chandi or Durga.
NAJABAT KHAN (d. 1688), a Pathan belonging to Kurijpura, who joined the service of Guru Gobind Singh at Paonta Sahib. He however deserted the Guru on the eve of the battle of Bharigani (1688) and joined hands with the hill rajas. During the battle he came face to face with Sarigo Shah, one of Guru Gobind Singh`s cousins. Both fell fighting in the duel that followed.
NAND SINGH, SANT (1872-1943), a saintly personage who attracted a considerable following during his lifetime, was born the son of Jai Singh, an artisan by profession, and Sada Kaur in 1872 in the village of Sherpur Kalan in Ludhiana district of the Punjab. As a young boy, he was trained in the family craft and then moved to Lahira Khana, in Bathinda district of the Punjab, to join a seminary run by Sant Vadhava Singh from whom he learnt to read Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. Under the influence of a Sikh mystic, Baba Harnam Singh of Bhucho Kalari, he was drawn to meditation and practised the discipline for twelve years at various places such as Hazur Sahib (Nanded), Lahira Khana, Harappa and Bhirki. Rewarded with insight, he took to preaching Guru Nanak`s word and travelled extensively across the country.
