Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, 25 June 2026, paid tribute to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the first commander-in-chief of the Khalsa army, on his martyrdom anniversary, honouring the 18th-century Sikh warrior's resistance against Mughal rule and his legacy of justice for farmers.

Context

In a post in Punjabi, Shah described Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as a warrior 'ਮਾਤਭੂਮੀ, ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਸਵੈ-ਮਾਣ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਲਈ ਸਮਰਪਿਤ' — 'dedicated to the protection of the motherland, faith, and self-respect.' He noted that Banda Singh defeated the Mughal army on multiple occasions through 'unparalleled courage and skilled leadership,' liberating a large territory from Mughal oppression. Shah also highlighted that despite enduring unbearable torture, Banda Singh refused to convert from his faith.

Shah described him as a 'great warrior, the first general of the Khalsa army, and a symbol of extraordinary valour,' offering his 'reverential salute' on the martyrdom anniversary.

Policy Backdrop

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a pivotal figure in early 18th-century Sikh history. Commissioned by Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, he led the Khalsa forces to a series of decisive victories against the Mughal administration in Punjab, establishing an independent administration that introduced land reforms granting rights to farmers — widely regarded as one of the earliest agrarian justice initiatives in the region.

His martyrdom is traditionally recorded on 9 June 1716, when he was executed in Delhi by the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar after refusing to renounce his faith. His refusal under extreme duress has long been celebrated as a defining act of religious and moral courage in Sikh tradition.

Stakeholders and Impact

The tribute carries significance for the Sikh community and for Punjab's political landscape, where historical memory of Khalsa resistance remains a deeply resonant cultural touchstone. By posting in Punjabi, Shah directly addressed a regional audience in their own language, underscoring the symbolic weight of the message.

BJP leaders have consistently marked anniversaries of pre-colonial warriors who resisted Mughal rule, a pattern that reflects the party's broader effort to highlight indigenous resistance narratives and engage Sikh historical memory across Punjab and Haryana. Banda Singh's legacy as a champion of farmers' rights also connects to ongoing agrarian concerns in the region.

What's Next

State-level commemorative events and related announcements in Punjab are expected around this anniversary period each year. Shah's public tribute at the Union ministerial level may signal heightened central government engagement with Sikh heritage commemorations in the coming months.