Mai Bhago, also known as Mata Bhag Kaur, was a courageous Sikh woman who led Sikh soldiers in battle against the Mughals in 1705. Renowned for her exceptional skill as a warrior, she is revered as a warrior saint in Sikhism. She is particularly celebrated for rallying the 40 Sikhs (Chali Mukte) who had previously abandoned Guru Gobind Singh during the siege of Anandpur Sahib, and inspiring them to return and fight in defense of the Guru.

Biography

Born	1670 Jhabal, Punjab
Died	1720 Nanded, Maharastra
Spouse	Bhai Nidhan Singh of Patti
Father	Bhai Malo Shah
Religion	Sikhism

Early Life

Mai Bhago was born into a Jat Sikh family in the village of Chabal Kalan, located in the present-day Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Raised in a devout Sikh household, she was a staunch follower of the Sikh faith from a young age. Her father, Malo Shah, served in Guru Hargobind's army, and like her father, Mai Bhago learned Shaster Vidya (the art of arms).

Mai Bhago was the granddaughter of Bhai Pero Shah, the younger brother of the renowned Bhai Langah, the chief of 84 villages, who had converted to Sikhism during the time of Guru Arjan Dev (1563–1606), the fifth Sikh Guru. She had two brothers, Dilbagh Singh and Bhag Singh.

As a child, Mai Bhago's parents took her to Anandpur Sahib to have a darshan (glimpse) of Guru Gobind Singh. Later, she married Bhai Nidhan Singh of Patti.

Mughal Confrontation

Disbandment of the Chali Mukte (40 "Liberated" Sikhs)

In 1704, the Mughal hill chiefs, under the command of Wazir Khan (of Sirhind), surrounded Anandpur Sahib as part of an attempt to capture Guru Gobind Singh. The Mughal army, along with reinforcements from Lahore and Kashmir, laid siege to the fort, cutting off provisions and food supplies, which lasted several months. The Mughal forces declared that any Sikh who renounced Guru Gobind Singh and said they were no longer his followers would be spared, while others would face death.

A group of 40 Sikhs, known as Chali Mukte, led by Mahan Singh Rataul, went to Guru Gobind Singh and declared that they were no longer his Sikhs. The Guru, in response, demanded that they write and sign a document declaring their renouncement. All but one of the 40 Sikhs (Bedava) signed the document and left the Guru.

Mai Bhago's Retaliation

Mai Bhago, disturbed by the desertion of Sikhs who had traveled to Anandpur Sahib to fight for the Guru, openly criticized their betrayal. Her strong words made these Sikhs ashamed of their actions. Mai Bhago then took it upon herself to rally the deserters, convincing them to seek the Guru’s forgiveness. She led them, along with other Sikhs, to meet Guru Gobind Singh, who was traveling through the Malwa region.

Unfolding Events at Anandpur Sahib

As Guru Gobind Singh prepared to leave Anandpur Sahib, a messenger arrived with a signed oath from Emperor Aurangzeb, promising peace and honor if the Guru left the fort. This oath was supported by additional vows from the Mughal generals and the Hill Chiefs. Despite his mistrust of the Mughals, Guru Gobind Singh decided to leave the fort to expose the deceitful nature of their promises.

Meanwhile, during the evacuation, the Guru’s family was separated by the Mughal forces. His younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, were taken by their grandmother Mata Gujari Kaur, while the elder sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jhujhar Singh, accompanied the Guru. In the subsequent battle at Chamkaur, the Guru’s elder sons were martyred, and the Guru left Chamkaur, following the orders of the Panj Pyare. Despite the peril, Guru Gobind Singh's forces traveled relentlessly through the Malwa jungles, evading the pursuing Mughal imperial forces.

Battle of Muktsar at Khidrana

The Battle

The Battle of Muktsar occurred when Guru Gobind Singh reached the village of Khidrana. At this time, Mai Bhago and the group of 40 Sikhs (Chali Mukte), who had earlier deserted the Guru, arrived at Khidrana. The village was strategically significant due to its pool of water, the only available source in the area, which was under threat of being seized by the Mughal army pursuing the Guru.

Mai Bhago and the Chali Mukte took it upon themselves to confront the Mughal army, numbering around 10,000 soldiers. Despite being outnumbered, they launched a fierce attack and forced the Mughal imperial army to retreat. Meanwhile, the Guru’s forces, positioned on nearby high ground, provided cover by showering arrows onto the Mughal soldiers.

Aftermath of the Battle

When Guru Gobind Singh arrived at the battlefield, he found that all the Sikhs who had redeemed themselves in battle had been martyred, including Mai Bhago’s brothers and husband. The only survivors were Mai Bhago and Mahan Singh, the former leader of the deserters, who had been seriously wounded. As the Guru took Mahan Singh into his lap, he passed away. The Chali Mukte, those forty Sikhs who had returned to the Guru’s service, were all martyred in this battle. Some accounts suggest that Mai Bhago’s children were also martyred during the battle.

Guru Gobind Singh blessed the deceased Sikhs as the Chali Mukte (Forty Liberated Ones), acknowledging their bravery and sacrifice. He also took Mai Bhago under his care, as she had been seriously injured during the fight.

Mai Bhago with Guru Gobind Singh

After the battle, Mai Bhago stayed with Guru Gobind Singh at Talwandi Sabo. It is believed that she adopted the Nihang Sikh tradition and may have donned male attire, arming herself with a large lance and musket. She became one of the Guru’s ten trusted bodyguards.

Later Life and Legacy

After Guru Gobind Singh’s death in 1708, Mai Bhago moved south and settled in Janwada, near Bidar in Karnataka, where she focused on meditation and the teachings of Gurmat (the Guru’s way). She lived a long life and established a dera, a place for spiritual learning. Her hut in Janwada was later transformed into Gurdwara Tap Asthan Mai Bhago, a place of worship and learning.

At Nanded, a hall within the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib complex marks the location of her former residence, known as Bunga Mai Bhago. In 1788, Mohan Singh, Jathedar of Hazur Sahib, built a Bunga (fortified tower) in her memory. The weapons of Mai Bhago are preserved in the Hazur Sahib Gurudwara complex at Abchalnagar, Nanded, India. Her legacy continues to be honored as an emblem of courage, devotion, and selfless service in Sikh history.

References

• am, A. 10/24/2024 at 8:47 and Anonymous (2022) What do we really know about mai bhago?, Kaur Life. Available at: https://kaurlife.org/2022/01/04/mai-bhago/ (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
• Mai Bhago (no date) Mai Bhago - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia. Available at: https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mai_Bhago (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
• Who was Mai Bhago? (2015a) KAUR. Available at: https://kaur.sikhnet.com/who-was-mai-bhago/ (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
• Who was Mai Bhago? (2015b) KAUR. Available at: https://kaur.sikhnet.com/who-was-mai-bhago/ (Accessed: 16 January 2025).