Ram Singh (activist)

Satguru Ram Singh (3 February 1816 – 1885), was a Sikh philosopher and reformer, and the first Indian to use non-cooperation and boycott of British merchandise and services as a political weapon.

The eldest son of Mata Sada Kaur and Jassa Singh, Satguru Ram Singh ji the founder of Namdhari Sikhism was born into a family of carpenters on February 3, 1816. He lived in the village of Raiyan, near Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana.

As a young man, Satguru Ram Singh Ji served in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Satguru Ram Singh Ji's regiment was called the Regiment of Bagagel as he led a disciplined life and inspired the fellow soldiers to be religious. He was pained by the immoral ways of the soldiers of the Sikh army and was disillusioned with the fall in values of the society. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, the disintegration of the Sikh empire was imminent.

Satguru Ram Singh Ji was a member of a unit of Prince Naunihal Singh platoon which was sent in 1841 from Lahore to Peshawar to bring the royal coffers. On its way back, the unit rested at Hazro Fort, now in Pakistan. It is said that Satguru Ram Singh ji and some soldiers of his regiment went to meet Satguru Balak Singh ji, a great saint who was living nearby. Satguru Balak Singh ji was overjoyed to see Satguru Ram Singh ji and said to him: “I had been waiting for you.”

Satguru Balak Singh ji gave the Guru mantra to Satguru Ram Singh ji and said that he had to keep it in his heart and pass on this naam to deserving seekers. Satguru Balak Singh ji gave him sugar bubbles, a coconut, five paise and took five rounds around him in reverence and bowed before him. In 1845, Satguru Ram Singh ji left the Khalsa army and returned to Sri Bhaini Sahib to live the life of a pious householder pursuing the spiritual path.

The day, April 12, 1857, was Baisakhi, an auspicious day in the history of Namdhari Sikhism. On that day, Satguru Ram Singh ji administered Amrit Sanchar to five of his disciples and founded the Namdhari Khalsa. On that day, Satguru Ram Singh ji hoisted a white triangular flag in Sri Bhaini Sahib before a small group of artisans and peasants who formed the core of his Namdhari Khalsa.

Satguru Ram Singh ji named his sect Namdhari as the disciples had to enshrine the Lord's name in their heart and soul. From birth to death, they would live with the naam. Satguru Ram Singh ji knew that only a person of high moral values and principles could sacrifice his life for the cause of the nation and society. He set out to create this ideal Sikh who would be spiritually and morally empowered.

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Wikipedia