Baba Ram Singh Ji (Virakt), Naurangabad

Baba Ram Singh Ji Virakt had no desire of fame and glory and was detached from the world. Baba Ji was blessed with the leadership of this Samprada by serving Baba Maharaj Singh Ji and was a man of very high character.

Baba Ram Singh Ji’s birthplace is unknown, however, according to a file made by Britishers regarding Baba Maharaj Singh Ji sheds light on the history of Baba Ram Singh Ji. It is considered that Baba Ram Singh Ji took birth in the Doaba region due to the fact that locals of Jassowal and Jahoora have made accounts of Baba Ji visiting those locations.

Baba Ram Singh Ji was given a huge responsibility by Baba Maharaj Singh Ji to assist the banishment of Maharaja Duleep Singh Ji from Lahore. However, Baba Ram Singh Ji was unable to accomplish this task due to the will of Waheguru and was arrested in Lahore as a result. Baba Ram Singh used to get indulged in ‘Naam’ all the time and was of a high spiritual Avastha (level).

Seeing the ambience and spiritual level of Baba Ji, Britishers decided to eliminate him from jail. After returning to the Doaba region of Punjab, he remained at a base of village Jahoore for a short period of time. Baba Ji did not associate himself with any Dera after leaving this base. In Sikh community, Baba Ji was widely reputed and esteemed. After the arrest of Baba Maharaj Singh Ji, the Sikh Panth addressed a letter to the British government in which it was written that if any kind of action was taken against Baba Ram Singh Ji, then the Sikhs nationwide will start a battle against the Brishers and attain martyrdom in thousands of numbers.

Because to the fact that Baba Ji did not stay at any Dera and spend most of his time in Sangat or at Naurangabad, Baba Ji was often designated by the name ‘Naurangabad-iye’ and esteemed in such a way. Baba Maharaj Singh Ji fought for the rights of the Sikhs following the footsteps of Baba Bir Singh Ji. He sacrificed all he had for the Sikh community and its faith and fought bravely against the British government. Baba Ram Singh Ji was given the leadership of lineage after getting through such hard struggles and sacrifices.

Baba Karam Singh Ji (Hoti Mardan), soon to become the leader of the lineage (Samprada), was a very benevolent and modest servant of Baba Ram Singh Ji. Baba Ram Singh Ji decided to travel to Hoti and settle down there due to the fact that Baba Ram Singh Ji was Virakt. Baba Ram Singh Ji gathered as many Sevadaars as possible and started doing Seva at this Asthaan (place). Baba Ram Singh Ji was visited by Baba Karam Singh Ji every morning and evening. One day, a resident of Hoti named Chaudhari Khem Singh came to Baba Karam Singh Ji and bowed humbly in respect. By sitting for some time, Khem Singh indulged himself in ‘Bachan-Bilaas’ with Baba Ji and then asked for permission to leave. Knowing everything already, Baba Karam Singh Ji said that first go and meet Baba Ram Singh Ji and then you can leave. Khem Singh told Baba Karam Singh Ji that he had already met Baba Ram Singh Ji and had already paid his respects to him. Khem Singh was told by Baba Karam Singh Ji, that he has to first take permission from Baba Karam Singh Ji and then he shall leave. Khem Singh went to Baba Ram Singh following this Bachan and requested that he be given the permission to go to the home. On hearing this Baba Ram Singh Ji said, “Do not go home today, I will give you permission to go tomorrow, leave only then.” Khem Singh folded his hands humbly and said that he has many places to visit and an important work to do. He made a promise of coming next day but he asked for the leave that day. Khem Singh was told by Baba Ram Singh Ji that a feeling of heat was approaching and once again demanded his stay. At last, Khem Singh maintained his stubborn nature and replied, “Maharaj! We are grahist (householders) we are captured in several responsibilities and worldly jobs and due to this very reason, I be given permission to leave.

Only those with great fortune are able to understand and scrutinize the mysterious ways and secrets within Saints. Saints do not reveal the coming situations, but give a hint about them. Alas, Khem Singh insisted on leaving and left. He was wearing a coat. After coming home, Khem Singh changed his clothes and took a meal. There were important papers and money in the coat. He recalled an important work to do while lying on the bed. He quickly awoke and forgot to put his coat on due to a hurried state of mind. The place where he had to go was on the other side of the village and was very far away. It became midnight while completing the work and a lot of time had passed. So, he decided to stay at the place where he was in the night and so he did not return home that night. He saw a large gathering upon coming back home. He became to know that the village had set on fire on asking about the matter. Large amounts of money, young children and business was ruined in this fire. All the villagers were trying their best to stop it as the fire was still not stopped. Khem Singh’s house and surrounding buildings burnt to dust and all his money and important documents were also parched. The villagers managed to stop the fire after a long attempt.

The next morning a huge gathering came to the Dera of Baba Karam Singh Hoti and said, “Baba Ji, the fire has demolished each and everything existing in the village. How would we be able to live now?” Baba Ji replied that all this is the Leela of Waheguru. We should live by thinking that Waheguru has made us and He only will take care of us. All this is His game, he will take away all of your misunderstandings and fortify it. This Hoti shall become like Delhi as the money is arriving for you from foreign lands. Those with strong faith accepted Baba Ji’s words by saying ‘Sat-Bachan’ but those who have doubts in their minds started asking questions about the arrangement of money. The battle of Maleekand started after some time near Hoti. The soldiers started supplying ‘Hoti’ with ‘Rasat’. A huge amount of money was earned by residents of ‘Hoti’ after this point of time. People from far and near started settling down in ‘Hoti’ in order to earn money.

In this way the words spoken by Baba Ram Singh Ji came true. He made the residents of Hoti extremely rich and the structure of Hoti was transformed. Arrest warrants of Baba Ram Singh Ji were sent from Lahore upon hearing such stories of spirituality. But, no one had the courage to arrest Baba Ji and Baba Ji wandered in the whole country bravely. Till his last breath, he lived his life serving other people, remained joining the Sikh Sangat with Lord Waheguru and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. When Baba Ji left for heavenly abode, the sky became very clear without any mist. Before leaving, the responsibility of Samprada lineage was given to Baba Karam Singh Ji (Hoti Mardan) by Baba Ram Singh Ji.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh !!