Bhai Mangal Singh (1895 – 20.2.1921), son of Mai Hukmi and Bhai Ratta Mazhabi, was born at village Udoke (district Gurdaspur). His parents died when he was a just a small child. Bhai Lachhman Singh Dharowali brought him up. In 1913, Bhai Mangal Singh got initiation. In 1915, he joined the British India Army. He used to wear full size Kirpan on his person all the time. During the First World War, he was asked to take off his sword. On refusal, he was courtmarshalled and was given one year’s jail term. This became starting point of an agitation for the right of the Sikhs to wear Kirpan. At this, he was released after six months. After his release from Sialkot jail, he was given a Siropao by the Sikhs of Sialkot. The Punch Khalsa Diwan Bhasaur gave him the title of Kirpan Bahadur. He was also awarded a pension of rupees 7 per month. After this he returned to Dharowali. Soonafter he got married. His wife joined him on February 18, 1921. The next day he joined the Jatha of his foster-father Bhai Lachhman Singh to Nanakana Sahib, where he embraced martyrdom, the following day.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)