After execution of 66 Kuka Sikhs at Malerkotla and deportation of Satguru Ram Singh in January 1872, onus fell on the shoulders of younger brother, Satguru Hari Singh. A 24 hour police presence was introduced at Sri Bhaini Sahib to keep strictest watch on the movement of Kuka Sikhs in and out of the Gurdwara and Sri Bhaini Sahib. The behaviour of police was most irritating and all possible restrictions were imposed. Under this situation, the foremost challenge before Satguru Hari Singh was to reconstruct the organisation and keep going the momentum of the freedom movement. Satguru Hari Singh’s calm, composure and deft handling of the situation kept up the morale of Namdhari Sikhs.
Satguru Hari Singh Ji was not allowed to leave Bhaini Sahib for 21 years. He had to take prior permission before leaving the station and that too only for specific occasions and for a very short periods, but He kept his religious mission and religious ceremonies on the same status as His predecessor Gurus.
Sri Guru Hari Singh Ji was born in 1819 corresponding to 3rd Narata of Asu, 1876 Bikrami, in the village Raian. His parents were Baba Jassa Singh and Mata Sada Kaur. He was the younger brother of Satguru Ram Singh Ji. At birth he was named Budh Singh. His name was later changed to Hari Singh by Satguru Ram Singh ji.
The daily routine of Satguru Hari Singh Ji: He took his bath in the early morning. After completing 21 Malas of Naam Simran and Bhagauti, he recited Path of Five Banis, whole Panj Granthi, 100 pages of the Granth Sahib and took his food once a day.
Even under this immense surveillance, Satguru Hari Singh Ji started the Aakhand Path maryada in (Vikrami Samvat 1931) 1876 A.D. For the well- being of Satguru Ram Singh Ji, 5 Aakhand Paths of Adi Sri Granth Sahib were done.
Sat Guru Hari Singh Ji started Kar Sewa for the Ram Sarover in Vikrami Samvat 1954.
In a Hukumnama send with one of his closest disciple, Shri Darbara Singh, Satguru Ram Singh Ji declared ” From now onwards Budh Singh should be called Hari Singh. I vest him with all the spiritual powers to deal with any situation. All the Namdhari Sikhs should follow his command. Even I will honor his decisions. He will keep the flame of Independence burning and spread ideals of Sikhism”..
In Vikrami Samvat 1956 when the whole country was suffering from drought even then, Satguru Hari Singh Ji continued the Langar (free food) for the poor and hungry people who would come in hoards to Sri Bhaini Sahib. After hearing these news, the then British officers visited Shri Bhaini Sahib and had offered to give land for the Langar but Satguru Hari Singh Ji refused to accept this offer by saying that He would not accept anything from the British colonists of India.
During the time of Satguru Hari Singh, not even a single Holla was celebrated for at least 27 years (due to the severest restrictions imposed by the British Govt.) After that, seven Holas were celebrated from 1899 A.D. to 1905 A.D. (Vikrami Samvat 1955 to 1961). Satguru Hari Singh Ji passed away on (Jeth wadi 10th Vikrami Samvat 1962) 17th May 1906 A.D. at 5 minutes past 5pm at Shri Bhaini Sahib. His spiritual successor was Sri Satguru Partap Singh Ji.
Satguru Hari Singh Ji placed emphasis on observance by the Kuka or Namdhari Sikhs of a high standard of spiritual and moral life. Devotion to Adi Guru Granth Sahib, meditation, memorising the Holy Scriptures, self discipline, purity, piety, charity, hospitality, generosity and social service were particular virtues to be abide by all.
Q.178 When and where was Satguru Hari Singh Ji born ?
Ans. Birth day: 3rd Navratra of Assu Vikrami Samvat 1876 in A.D. 1819.
Birth Place: Village Raiyan Distt. Ludhiana.
Q.179 Mention the names of the Parents of Satguru Hari Singh Ji ?
Ans. Father : Baba Jassa Singh Ji
Mother : Mata Sada Kaur Ji.
Q.180 When was Satguru Hari Singh Ji enthroned (i.e. became the successor)?
Ans. On 18th Jan. 1872 A.D.
Q.181 Describe the family history of Satguru Hari Singh Ji ?
Ans. Satguru Hari Singh Ji had got married with Mata Sahib Kaur who died soon after the marriage. He was re-married with Mata Jiwan Kaur and Mata Fateh Kaur ( the twin sisters) in 1887 A.D.(Vikrami Samvat 1944). Mata Sahib Kaur had given birth to two female children (daughters) named Bibi Bhago and Bibi Matabo. Satguru Partap Singh Ji was born on Sunday 3rd March 1890 A.D. (Vikrami Samvat 1946 Chetwadi). In Vikrami Samvat 1949 Maharaj Nihal Singh and in Vikrami Samvat 1954 Maharaj Gurdial Singh were born to Mata Jiwan Kaur.
Q.182 When and by whom was the maryada of Aakhand Path started ?
Ans. Satguru Hari Singh Ji started this maryada in (Vikrami Samvat 1931) 1876 A.D. for the well- being of Satguru Ram Singh Ji by holding 5 Aakhand Paths of Adi Sri Granth Sahib. A reciter (Pathi) who recited the Gurbani ; would sit along with a Sikh (Dhupia) who recited the Nam Simran. One lamp filled with mustard oil or Desi Ghee (butter-oil) was kept ignited and one Sikh acted as the watchman. Soon after, Satguru Hari Singh Ji had circulated a written Maryada (in detail) through Sant Subeg Singh Maranna and was implemented immediately.
Q.183 When were the funds collected for the Sada Barat Langar (24 hour langar ) in Shri Bhaini Sahib ?
Ans. The funds were collected in Vikrami Samvat 1940. One Khrass (Grinder) was started to grind the grains. In Vikrami Samvat 1956 when the whole country was suffering from draught even then, Satguru Hari Singh Ji continued the Langar (free food) for the poor and hungry people who would come in hoardes to Sri Bhaini Sahib. After hearing these news, the then British officers visited Shri Bhaini Sahib and had offered to give land for the Langar but Satguru Hari Singh Ji refused to accept this offer by saying that He would not accept anything from the British colonisers of India.
Q.184 Describe the development of Shri Baini Sahib during the time of Sat Guru Hari Singh Ji ?
Ans. Sat Guru Hari Singh Ji started Kar Sewa for the Ram Sarover in Vikrami Samvat 1954. Things like Hawan Kund and some pieces of burnt charcoal were found while digging the Sarovar during this kar sewa in the presence of a Govt. officer. That authenticated that this land belonged to these Sikhs since the times of Bhagwan Shri Ramachander.A piece of land was purchased near Ramsar and a small bungalow type house (Kothi) was built. An orchard was also prepared near that Kothi and Namdhari Sikhs started living there.
Q.185 Write a short note on Baba Gurcharan Singh.
Ans Baba Gurcharan Singh S/o S.Attar Singh (R/o Village Chakk Ramdas of Sialkot) a Jat acted as the diplomat between Satguru Hari Singh and Govt. of Russia. He had served under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was baptised as a Kuka in 1868 A.D. From Punjab,through Afghanistan and Middle Asia, he travelled several times to Russia: He visited Russia from 1878 A.D. to 1881 A.D. and started conveying the correspondence between the Russian Govt. and Satguru Ram Singh Ji who was then exiled to Burma by the British Govt. His sons, Jiwan Singh and Isher Singh, helped their father in his daredevil endeavour continuously. He remained in British custody from May 1881 to Sep. 1886 in Multan.
Q.186 What was the daily routine of Satguru Hari Singh Ji ?
Ans. Satguru Hari Singh Ji took His bath in the early morning. After completing 21 Malas of Naam Simran and Bhagauti, he recited Path of Five Banis, whole Panj Granthi, 100 pages of the Granth Sahib and took his food once a day.
Q.187 When and which Guru started the Sada Barat Langar in Shri Bhaini Sahib?
Ans. Shri Satguru Ram Singh Ji started the Sada Barat Langar in 1857 A.D., Vikrami Samvat 1914 at Shri Bhaini Sahib.
Q.188 Who was the spiritual successor of Satguru Hari Singh Ji?
Ans. Satguru Partap Singh Ji.
Q.189 How many Hola Mohallas were celebrated under the patronage of Satguru Hari Singh Ji ?
Ans. During the time of Satguru Hari Singh, not even a single Holla was celebrated for at least 27 years (due to the severest restrictions imposed by the British Govt.) After that, seven Holas were celebrated from 1899 A.D. to 1905 A.D. (Vikrami Samvat 1955 to 1961)
Q.190 When did Satguru Hari Singh Ji pass away ?
Ans. Satguru Hari Singh Ji passed away on (Jeth wadi 10th Vikrami Samvat 1962) 17th May 1906 A.D. at 5 minutes past 5pm at Shri Bhaini Sahib.