Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala Ji: the three martyrs of Chandni Chowk

This day remembers three Sikhs who were put to death in Delhi in November 1675, in front of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, so that the sight of their suffering might break the Guru's resolve. It did not, and neither did theirs.

Who they were

Bhai Mati Das Ji and Bhai Sati Das Ji were brothers from the village of Kariala, near Jhelum, from a family that had served the Gurus for generations. Bhai Mati Das Ji was the Guru's diwan, his steward, and Bhai Sati Das Ji wrote Persian for the Guru. Bhai Dyala Ji, from Alipur near Multan, was a close companion of the Guru and of his family. All three travelled with the Guru from Anandpur Sahib and were arrested with him.

The martyrdoms

Bhai Mati Das Ji was asked to give up his faith and refused. He was tied between two posts and sawn in two from the head down, reciting Japji Sahib as long as he could. Bhai Dyala Ji was boiled alive in a cauldron, and Bhai Sati Das Ji was wrapped in cotton soaked in oil and set alight. Each remained calm, in remembrance of the Divine, to the end. The Guru's own shaheedi followed shortly after at Chandni Chowk.

How they are remembered

Their names are spoken in every Ardas, among those who were sawn apart and boiled alive and did not waver. The Bhai Mati Das Museum stands opposite Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, and a chowk there is named after the three. Sangats remember them with kirtan and Ardas, especially at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, in the days before the Guru's Shaheedi Purab.