Bhai Durga Das, the son of Bhai Padam Rai and grandson of Bhai Kaulji Rai Chauhan, was a dedicated Sikh of the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. He was Masand of Duburji (Sialkot). In June 1656, when Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib went out for a long missionary journey, he accompanied Guru Sahib. When Guru Gobind Singh Sahib ordered investigation into the credentials of all the Masands, he was confirmed as an honest person. His son Bhai Jagata was a confident Sikh of the time of Guru Har Rai Sahib. His second son Bhai Aalam Singh Nachanna was the chamberlain of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Bhai Durga Das’s grandsons Bhai Sangat and Bhai Hanumant (sons of Bhai Jagata) embraced martyrdom in the battle of Guler (February 18, 1696). Bhai Aalam Singh Nachanna too embraced martyrdom. Also see: Padam Rai, Kaulji Das, Aalam Singh Nachanna.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)