Jathedar Baba Teja Singh

Baba Teja Singh was a prominent Nihang Akali leader and the 10th Jathedar of Budha Dal, serving from 1907 to 1929. He is remembered within the Nihang tradition for his steadfast preservation of Khalsa martial heritage, his unique form of kirtan, and his leadership during a transformative era for Sikh institutions.

Early Life

Baba Teja Singh was born in 1839, the son of Khazan Singh, and his mother was Sugo, from Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). Very little is documented about his childhood or early education, though he is believed to have been raised in a deeply religious Sikh household aligned with the Akali tradition.

Leadership of Budha Dal

In 1907, Baba Teja Singh became the Jathedar (leader) of the Budha Dal, the principal order of the Nihang Singh Khalsa. He led for 22 years, up to his passing in 1929, guiding the Dal through a period of both internal unity and external political pressure.

During his jathedari, Sikh institutions were undergoing major shifts under British colonial oversight and emerging reformist movements such as the Singh Sabha and Akali Dal. Baba Teja Singh’s leadership marked one of the last eras in which the Budha Dal maintained significant religious and symbolic authority over the Akal Takht and associated institutions.

Unique Style of Kirtan

Baba Teja Singh was widely known for performing kirtan (devotional singing) in a very distinctive way. He would strike his steel bracelet (kada) against a glass rhythmically while reciting hymns — an unusual yet deeply spiritual act that became his signature style. This method symbolized both remembrance of the Guru and the ever-ready martial discipline of the Khalsa.

Role During the Gurdwara Reform Era

Historical and oral accounts place Baba Teja Singh at the spiritual center of Sikh affairs during the Gurdwara Reform Movement of the early 20th century. Leaders of the reform movement, including Teja Singh Samundri, Teja Singh Puchar, and Khark Singh, are said to have visited him for blessings and guidance during key disputes such as the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara conflict.

In one widely repeated tradition, when the British officer overseeing the Nankana Sahib dispute placed the keys to the gurdwara on the table, Baba Teja Singh was asked to take them. He reportedly picked up the keys and handed them to Khark Singh, advising him to safeguard the honor of the Guru Panth — a symbolic gesture demonstrating the Nihang commitment to Khalsa sovereignty.

Later Life and Death

Baba Teja Singh lived a long and disciplined life, passing away in 1929 at about 90 years of age. His samadhi (memorial shrine) and gurdwara are located in Amritsar, near the Burj (tower) of Akali Phula Singh, a historic center for the Nihang order.

Legacy

Baba Teja Singh’s leadership is viewed as the closing chapter of the Budha Dal’s traditional dominance before the rise of the SGPC and Akali movements. He is remembered as a guardian of the traditional Khalsa code, a spiritual warrior, and a symbol of steadfastness in the face of colonial and institutional pressures.

His immediate successor was Baba Sahib Singh Kaladhari, who continued his legacy of defiance and preservation of the Akali-Nihang identity.