Bhai Gulabu Bakhshi, a Bania, was a tobacco-dealer. The spirit of bravery of the Sikhs impressed him very much. He expressed his wish to join the Sikh army. He was initiated and was named Bhai Gulab Singh. In November 1710, a huge Mogul army put sieged to Lohgarh fort. Baba Banda Singh Bahad decided that the Sikhs should not waste lives and energy for this long battle. So, he moved towards the hills leaving some Sikhs there so that the Mughal army may remain confused. The next morning the Mogul army entered one part of the fort and captured Bhai Gulab Singh. The jubilant Mogul army mistook him as Banda Singh Bahadur and took him to Delhi. When they learnt the reality, they were utterly disappointed. Khafi Khan, a writer, commenting upon the episode said: “the hawk had flown and an owl had been caught”. Bhai Gulab Singh was kept in confinement for six years. He was killed on 9 June 1716, along with Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)