Why Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dayala Das are being remembered on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th martyrdom anniversary

Alongside Guru Tegh Bahadur, his three devoted disciples — Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Das also known as Dayal Das Bhai — also attained martyrdom, and their sacrifices are being remembered during these commemorative events. Their unparalleled courage and sacrifice in 1675 at Chandni Chowk in Delhi stand as an eternal symbol of resistance against tyranny and the defence of religious freedom.

The programmes also aim to educate the younger generation about the values of courage, faith, and justice that their martyrdom embodies. Here’s a look at the disciples and how they sacrificed their lives along with that of their Guru.

Who were Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Das?

According to entries from the Department of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism at Punjabi University in Patiala, Bhai Mati Das was the son of Bhai Hira Mal, a Chhibbar Brahmin from Kariala (now in Pakistan). His family had long served the Sikh Gurus — his grandfather Bhai Paraga embraced Sikhism during Guru Hargobind’s time and fought in battles against the Mughals, while his uncle Dargah Mall served gurus Har Rai and Har Krishan as Diwan. During Guru Tegh Bahadur’s time, Bhai Mati Das and his brother Sati Das assisted Mall, and Mati Das himself was later appointed as Diwan. He accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur on his travels across eastern India (1665–70) and was arrested with the Guru in 1675.

Bhai Sati Das, the younger brother of Bhai Mati Das, served Guru Tegh Bahadur as a devoted attendant and cook. He was arrested with the Guru at Dhamtan during his eastern travels in 1665 and again when the Guru left Anandpur for Delhi in 1675.

Bhai Dayala Das was part of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s entourage during the Guru’s journeys across the eastern regions between 1665 and 1670. His ancestors belonged to Alipur near Multan. Guru Tegh Bahadur made him minister for domestic affairs. The birth of Guru Gobind Singh, son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, took place under his service, and he looked after him until he reached Anandpur Sahib, said Professor Paramvir Singh, a member of the nine-member committee set up by the Punjab government to organise programmes for the Martyrdom Day. The professor, who works at the Department of Encyclopedia of Sikhism at Punjabi University, has extensively researched Sikh history, religion, and culture. He has published 15 books and over a hundred research papers.

Bhai Dayala Das was among the Sikhs arrested by the Mughal authorities in 1665 and later released. When Guru Tegh Bahadur continued his mission towards the east from Patna, Bhai Dayala Das stayed back to look after the Guru’s family.

Guru Tegh Bahadur also sent several letters to the Sikh congregations in the Varanasi-Patna region, directing them to follow Bhai Dayala Das’s guidance. Later, when the Guru set out from Anandpur on July 11, 1675, to face martyrdom, Bhai Dayala Das accompanied him. He was arrested alongside the Guru.

Why the 3 disciples are being remembered during ‘Hind Di Chadar’

Along with Guru Tegh Bahadur, these three disciples also refused to renounce their faith. They were executed on November 11, 1675, ahead of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s execution. Bhai Mati Das was brutally sawn alive from head to foot in Delhi. When asked for his last wish, he desired to face the Guru during his execution. He recited the Japuji Sahib as his final words.

Like his brother, Sati Das refused to abandon the Sikh faith before the Mughal authorities. As punishment, he was wrapped in cotton wool and set on fire as he chanted the Divine name (Waheguru).

After being arrested with the Guru, Bhai Dayala Das steadfastly refused to renounce his faith before the Mughal emperor. For this, he was subjected to horrific torture and boiled alive in a cauldron of water. He also recited Sikh prayers during his final moments.

The three disciples were executed to threaten Guru Teg Bahadur to embrace Islam. When he remained steadfast in his refusal to do so, the Guru was beheaded.

“Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala are honoured because they stood with their Guru and suffered horrific executions rather than denounce their faith, and their courage is central to the collective Sikh memory — which is why events such as Hind Di Chadar foreground their stories during the 350th anniversary commemorations,” said Prof Paramvir.

The executions and related events are associated with the Chandni Chowk and Kotwali areas in Delhi, where the Sis Ganj Sahib and Rakab Ganj Sahib gurdwaras mark the sites. The Guru’s head was carried to Anandpur by a disciple and cremated, said Prof Paramvir.

How their sacrifices assume significance today

The martyrdom of Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Das — alongside Guru Tegh Bahadur — serves as a timeless reminder of the Sikh ideals of faith, truth, and freedom of conscience. Their supreme sacrifices are being commemorated through the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ programmes to inspire future generations with the message of standing firm for justice and humanity, regardless of persecution. They shared the Guru’s conviction and willingly suffered martyrdom as opposed to abandoning their Guru.

It is said that before leaving Anandpur Sahib in 1675 for his court arrest, Guru Tegh Bahadur asked his principal devotees to ask for any blessing they had at heart. All were unanimous in their reply: to be granted permission to accompany him.