Mata Sahib Devan

Mata Sahib Kaur (Gurmukhi: ਮਾਤਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੌਰ, Shahmukhi: ماتا صاحب کور) was the third wife of Guru Gobind Singh. Born Sahib Devan, she was the daughter of Ramu of Rohtas dist. Jhelum. Mata Sahib Kaur was born on 1 November 1681 at Rohtas. She was offered to be a bride of Guru Gobind Singh by her father Bhai Rama, a devout Nanak Naam Leva Sikh, and the nuptials took place on 15 April 1700 at Anandpur.

When the proposal was brought for discussion to Anandpur, the Guru at first refused, as he was married already and had four sons. The dilemma before the parents of the girl was that, the proposal having become public, no Sikh would be willing to marry a woman who had been betrothed to the Guru. The Guru eventually agreed to the marriage, but made it clear that his relationship with Mata Sahib Devan would be of a spiritual nature and not physical.

The Guru proclaimed her to be the Mother of the Khalsa and since then novitiates have been declared to be the sons and daughters of Gurū Gobind Siṅgh and Mātā Sāhib Devāṅ.

During the battle of Anandpur Mata Sahib Kaur was split from the holy family of the tenth Guru during the siege of Fort Keshgarh where, along with Mata Sundari, she was escorted to safety to Sri Damdama Sahib by Bhai Sahib Bhai Mani Singh Shaheed.

Mata Sahib Kaur accompanied Guru Gobind Singh to Delhi and then on to Nanded whilst Mata Sundari stayed back in Delhi.

It was in Nanded that Guru Gobind Singh informed Mata Sahib Kaur of his time to leave Earth for his heavenly abode at which he commanded her to leave for Delhi to be with Mata Sundari. The Guru gave Mata Sahib Kaur 5 weapons as his reminder and his Insignia (with which she issued 9 Hukkamnaama's or Letters of Command for the Khalsa). Mata Sahib Kaur resided in Delhi with Mata Sundari and lived a life of Simran and Seva (selfless service) for the panth (nation).

Mata Sahib Kaur died in 1747 at the age of 66 and was cremated at Gurdwara Bala Sahib, New Delhi. Her memorial stands close to the one commemorating Mata Sundari.

There are different views among Sikh historians on her presence during this event. According to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the Mahan Kosh, Mata Sahib Devan was present during the creation of Khalsa Panth and participated in making Pahul by adding sugar wafers but the Twarikh Guru Khalsa refutes this claim. The Twarikh claims that Gobind Singh's first wife, Mata Jito, put sugar wafers in the Pahul and that Sahib Devan was not married to Guru Gobind Singh at that time.

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Wikipedia