Akali Hanuman Singh

Honorable Jathedar Baba Hanuman Singh
ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਜਥੇਦਾਰ ਬਾਬਾ ਹਨੂਮਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ
Shaheed
7th Jathedar of Akal Takht
In office 1823–1846
Preceded by	Phula Singh
Succeeded by	Prahlad Singh
7th Jathedar of Buddha Dal
In office 1823–1846
Preceded by	Phula Singh
Succeeded by	Prahlad Singh
Personal details
Born	Hanuman Singh November 1755 Naurang Singh Wala, Firozpur, Panjab
Died	1845 (age 89-90) Sohana, Mohali, Panjab
Nationality	Sikh
Mother	Harnam Kaur
Father	Garja Singh
Religion	Sikh

Jathedar Baba Hanuman Singh, also known as Akali Hanuman Singh or Amar Shaheed Baba Hanuman Singh, was a Nihang Singh was 7th Jathedar of Budha Dal and Jathedar of Akal Takhat. He was predecessor of Akali Phula Singh. He attained martyrdom during fight with British and Patiala Rulers in 1845. In November 1755, He was born to Garja Singh and Harnam Kaur^[1] at Village Naurang Singh Wala, Zira, Ferozpur. At age of 68, He became Jathedar of Akal Takhat.

After defeat of Khalsa against British, Jathedar decided to re-group nihang singh fauj against the Britishers at the Patiala Chauni. Raja Karam Singh was ruler of Patiala and other Malwa Kingdom was in alliance with British. There were strict orders to shoot Nihangs on sight. When Jathedar Hanuman Singh arrived at Patiala, Raja Karam Singh launched an cannon attack on Nihangs, in which around 32,000 nihang singhs were killed. Rest were forced to move to the forests nearby. Hanuman Singh and around 500 Nihang warriors survived this attack, and continued to fight the heavy cannon fire of the British, with swords, bows and arrows, axes and matchlock fire.

Baba Hanuman Singh was wounded badly and died at Sohana, Mohali at the age of 90. He was succeeded by Jathedar Baba Parladh Singh Nihang Singh. His memorial, Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, is situated in Sohana.^[2] A Kabaddi academy is present in Sohana in his name.

References

1. nihangsingh.org
2. ਬਾਬਾ ਹਨੂਮਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਾ ਜਨਮ ਦਿਹਾੜਾ ਸ਼ਰਧਾ ਨਾਲ ਮਨਾਇਆ: Retrieved from Punjabi Tribune: 04/12/2014