According to “Tababat-a- Nasheeriâ€, in 799 Hizri Khokharwa Rajputs embraced Hinduism and under the command of raja Anand Pal fought against Mahmud Gazni of raja with 3000 army men. They supported malik Khusro of Jammu against Mahmod Gazni. They started spreading towards Kabul, Kandhar and Macedonia.
According to History of India by Baldev Raj, in 1215 Khokhars were harassing Altamash. In 1226 Altamash defeated rajputs. When in 1227 changez khan dominated Jallaudin from Gazni, he moved towards Lahore and met with resistance from khokhars but they could not succeeded . According to book “Punjab Castesâ€- Budan pal and Veer Narain got killed during the take over of Rajputs from Punjab and Gwalior. During the period of 1240 to 1250 Khokhars kept on challenging Mugals and kept their presence felt. According to Taribh-a-Mubarikshahi Shekhar Khokhar occupied Lahore in 1394. Mugal king Himann sent Sikander Shah to defeat Khokhars. When Tuman left Hindustan the killed Shekhar Khokhars . muslim invaders started forcing them towards Jammu and finally they started at Bharatpur in Rajasthan where they founded state Bhartgarh. Raja Budan Pal had to marry a women from other caste as advocated by wisemen of that time to fulfil his desire to get son. So he married Chander Kanta, daughter of Bansidhar, a carpenter. Boy named Punpal took birth. In this way family tree kept on descending. Raja Sultan along with his son Sada and Grandson Sidhu settled at Tuklani, they all were followers of Sakhi-Server, a muslim pir whose dera is there in Afganistan..
There has been five Bhai families upon whom title of Bhai has been conferred . These are Bhai Bhagtu family , Bhai Behlo family. Pandit Ganga Ram family, Daroli family and Bhai Roop Chand family.
When Raja Sada’s son Sidhu married to Bibi Surti of Vada Ghar near Daroli, then on the day of marriage 16th Jyesth 1670 she had chance to meet Guru Hargobind ji, as her father Bhai Aqal was disciple of Guru Ramdas ji and Arjan Dev ji. She begged for sikhe for her husband who was along with his family worshiper of Sakhi-Server. Guru Hargobind ji blessed her and professed that a boy would take birth, who will be honored by public and kings as a Sikh.
A very beautiful boy took birth on 3- Baisakh and 6th guru himself named him “Roop chand’ . Father Sidhu and son Roop Chand were superintending the harvesting of the crop .It was a very hot day .They had a goat skin bottle hung from a branch in the shade of the neighbouring tree.The water was exceptionally cool and sweet.. Both moved with devotion , dedicated the water as offering to the Guru and refrained from drinking it.The heat grew more intense their thirst more aggravated, till they almost swooned by exhaustion.But neither father nor son would touch . On the other hand Guru Hargobindji by his omniscience was aware of the distress which both suffered on account of deep devotion to him . Guru ji travelled 32 miles on horse back despite heat of the day and met both and drank water to his fill sharing with his devoted disciples.
In token of his appreciation of their love and devotion to Him , Guruji gave his robes,sword and horse .To this day there stands on the spot the JAND tree to commemorate the event.With deep reverence , Sidhu and Roop Chand placed the sword and robes on their heads and led the horse to their home by a rope, for they considered these presents too sacred for their own use.Observing this , the guru was greatly touched by their devotion and respect for him.He blessed them with remark that their word would be more potent than sword and that they need not use the weapon but should keep it in trust for the Guru’s descendants to claim. He also remarked that Sikhs will follow their example and keep a miniature sword on their heads; since then comes the present custom of a small Kirpan in the sikh’s hairs.Guru laid the foundation of Village Bhai Roopa on the 16th Baisakh,1687 Bikrmi (1630 A.D.) naming it after Bhai Roop Chand.In august 1631 Guru Hargobind Sahib ji , with 3000 warriors again visited Bhai Roopa and stayed there for three months.The Guru in recognition of devotion , honored Roop Chand with The title of “Bhai†own brother and put him in charge of the spiritual welfare of the new Malwa and the country south of Sutlej.With his own hands the guru put Bhai Roop Chand on the MASAND and put on his forehead the TILAK, saffron mark of leadership of the area and gave KARCHHA , a long spoon , asking him to run LANGAR to feed the poor and the needy.This KARCHHA is still kept with veneration.And also remarked that even fresh cut wood would burn like dry.This can be seen even now at Dyalpura bhai village at any time.
In feb 1644 Guru Hargobind sahib ji died and during all ceremonies which were held in Kiratpur sahib. Bhai Roop Chand ji took part.
After that in 1652 Guru Har-Rai ji stayed with his uncle Sai Dass at Daroli then proceeded towards Bhai Roopa village. Kala Sidhu was devout pupil of Bhai Roop Chand. He along with his nephews Phool and Sandli begged for food from Guru. Due to mediation of Bhai Roop Chandji Guruji professed that their horses will drink water between Jamuna and Satluj and thereafter Phoolkian family came in to being which later sprang up as princly Patiala state.
In the times of 9th Guru Teg Bahadur ji, in Feb 1665, Bhai Roop Chand ji and his two sons Dharam Chand and Param chand accompanied Guru. Bhai Roop Chandji remained in service of Mata Gujri ji at Patna and both sons went to Assam along with Guruji.Dharam chand ji was instrumental in diffusing enemity among Assam Rajas.When Guru Teg Bahadur ji called Sahibzada(Guru Gobind Sahib) along with family, all came from Patna, Kashi, Audia, Hardwar, Ambala, Lakhnor etc. on knowing this , Bhai Roopa family, Bhai Behlo, Daroli families met Guruji.
Though Guru Gobind Singh ji was of very tender age, was married to Bibi Jeeto ji at Guru ke Lahore.Guru Teg Bahadurji decided that Bhai Roop Chand will perform the marriage ceremonies. So this legendary service was showered upon Bhai Sahib and He performed marriage ceremonies.After martydom of sahibzadas at Sirhind guruji came towards Malwa at village Deena and stayed in Desoo carpenter’s house. Here Bhai Roop Chand’s sons brought attire and arms which 6th Guru presented to them and promised to take back in 10th term.10th Master on seeing those things became very happy and further gave his personal kirpan(Gatra Kirpan). Guruji said until you honor these things your power will remain as it is. Here elder two sons Dharam Chand and Param Chand along with other family members were given to guru.. They served Guru Gobind Singh ji till end up to Nanded. Even Param Singh died in Nanded. Whole family got baptized at Damdama sahib from guru Gobind Singh ji
Guru Gobind Singh ji explained the meaning of Guru Granth Sahib to 48 of his close(HAZURI) disciples. Above two along with Bhai Binod, Baba Deep Singh ji, Bhai Dan Singh, Bhai Bhagwan Singh (perhaps grand father of Jassa singh Ramgarhia), Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Kehar Singh etc. listened to Guruji at Talwandi Sabo.
One time Guru Gobind Singh tested Bhai Dharam Singh and Param Singh. Guru sent back both by saying that One time Guru Gobind Singh ji tested Bhai Dharam singh ji and Bhai Param singh ji.Guru sent them back saying your service has been acknowledged .Bhai Roop singh got enraged on seeing them back and scolded for leaving the guru alone. He ordered both to again go to guruji , if guru is satisfied then bring His signed letter. Both complying the order of father reached Nanded (A.P.) again and met Guruji . Guru felt happy over devotion of Bhai Roop singh and his sons and gave them His personal Pothi with signature on that plus one handkerchief, small knife and showered His divine bliss. Darshan of These articles can done on Sangrand of every month at village Bagrian near Nabha. Bhai Jhujhar singh is the scion of family.
Great guru Gobond Singh Ji went to Nanded where Baba Banda singh Bahadur came into guru’s fold.He was sent to Punjab to teach lesson to tyrants. Banda wrote letters to various sikh sirdars for sending troops.Similar one letter was sent to Bhai roopa family and in that Bhai Dharam singh ji and Bhai Karam singh took part in Struggle in Sirhind invasion.Bhai Dharm singh ji was commander of Malwa army. Fateh singh of Bathinda and Dan singh Brar also fought along with them.
Bhai Dharam singh along with other sikh sirdars of time had to forcibly take possession of Harmander sahib from Banda Bahadur as he became autocratic. Then came Tat khalsa and Bandai khalsa. into being.
By this time LANGAR SEWA had spread to many villages apart from Bhai Roopa village. As Bhai sahib had seven sons Bhai Dharm singh ji, Bhai Param singh ji, Bhai Karam singh ji, Bhai Mahanand, Bhai Sadanand, Bhai Surtia and Bhai Sukhia ji.Bhai Roop singh ji ordered bhai Dharm singh ji to populate new village so he came to create new village Dyalpura then Bagrian, near Nabha.Bhai Param singh’s and Surtia’s descendents live in Bhai roopa village.Mahanand’s descendents live in kotha guru, rawalheri and lakhnor villages.Bhai Sukhia’s descendents live in Samadh Bhai village where Bhai Roop singh ji was cremated.Bhai Karam singh ji’s family lives in Syriawala, Thathi, Kalyan and Tolawala.
Baba Guddar singh ji son of Dharm singh ji and Nawab Kapoor singh baptized Baba Ala singh (Founder of Patiala state).Gajpat rai(Nana of Maharaja Ranjit singh) was devout pupil pf baba ji. He made One fort for babaji at Dialpura Bhai village. He got son by prayer of babaji. Mai Rajji prayed that even if they should be deprived of their own share of children the Raja must be blessed with an off-spring.And the prayer was answered. “His Holiness†Bhai Sahib Bhai Arjan singh Ji was also an example as a sikh.Even 500 persons got baptized from him( a big number at that times) in a single day, a sort of record at that time, then Bhai Ardaman Singh ji served as descendent of Bhai Roop singh ji and now Bhai Sahib Bhai Ashok Singh ji a very visionary and learned personality , respected by all,and Bhai sahib Bhai Jujjahar Singh ji is scion of the family and serving panth from Bagrian.
Bhai Gurchet Singh ji possesses very rare and valuable relics(read 6th june AJIT paper) belongings to various gurus and serving at Bhai Roopa village. Bhai Jiwanjot Singh ji descendant of Bhai Karam singh is looking after LANGAR at siryawala .
The Bhai Roopa family possesses a bundle of HUKAMNAMAS, Royal warrants from Gurus In which , beside asking for men , money and war materials, The guru acknowledge Bhai Roopa’s family as their own family. Family also possesses chariot, RABAB and KHADAWAN (wooden shoe) of Guru Arjan Devji, One KHADAWAN of Mata Gangaji.some paintings of Guru Sahib’s times including one of Guru Gobind Singhji’s childhood. One hand written Guru Granth Sahib ji.One Karcha, Qatar, Many Pothies also hand written, Cot which was used to bestow ‘BHAI TITLE’ , Original top cloth of RATH. One personal Pothi signed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, GATRE WALI KIRPAN, RUMAl(handkerchief), LOH (Round Steel plate to cook roti) ,one GARWA,one seat of Camel,one Gager, Parat(to knead flour), one old chowki And LOH at Syriawala.
Here follows the story of CHARIOT:-
Khuda bakhsh an Kashmiri carpenter prayed for son and promised one chariot to be offered to 4th guru sahib.He worked extensively for long time and made one and offered it to Guru Ramdas ji at Amritsar.Guru ji used it , Then guru Arjan dev ji, On the same Rath mata Gangaji went to Baba BUDDA ji for blessing of son. and then Hargobind sahib ji and then it was used by Har rai sahib.When Ram Rai son of Guru Har Rai ji was sent by 7th guru to clarify the meaning of Sloka “Miti musalman ki pede pai ghumiar†to the then Mogul empror Aurangjeb then Ram rai himself changed the text to “Miti beiman ke pede pai ghumiarâ€.On this he was debarred from becoming 8th guru.He got settled at Dehradun where he was given land by empror.He had this chariot on which he used to frequent to Delhi etc.According to legend Ram Rai used to fly this chariot as he had supernatural powers. So chariot became famous as flying chariot (Rath).On request from mata Punjab Kaur wife of Ram Rai ji ,This was brought by Bhai Gian singh from Dehradun for safe upkeep. Darshan of this chariot can be done at Village Bhai Roopa on any day.In total 101 articles given to various members of the family on different occasions are in possession with various persons.
Books for consultation:
1. House of Bagrian
2.Bhupindra Nandan granth.
3.Panth Parkash by Rattan singh Bhangu.
4.Khadmesh Parkash by Kalaswalia.
5.Guru Bilas Patshahi 6th .
6.Guru Bilas Patshahi 10th .
7.Ramgarhia Itihas By Gurdial singh Reehal.
8. Itihas Bagrian By Giani Gian singh ji.
. 9 Twarikh-Khalsa By Giani Gian singh
10.Brahm Giani Bhai Roop Chand Ji By
Pritam singh Khokhar.
11.Read 6th Jun 05 Ajit Paper(Virsa section)
