BABA LEHNA SINGH (1818-1893)

Baba Lehna Singh was born in Garjakh (in present-day Gujranwala District, Pakistan) to a wealthy family of landlords. His father, Diwan Kahn Singh went on to serve as General in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh Empire. Lehna Singh later chose to join his father & was accorded his rank of General. 

He was married to Chand Kaur, daughter of Hari Singh Nalwa (legendary Commander-in-chief of the Sikh Empire & Governor of Kashmir, Peshawar, Hazara). Hari Singh Nalwa, widely known in history for his role in conquering Pakistan, Afghanistan- expanded the Sikh Empire beyond the Indus River right up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass.

After his father-in-law was famously martyred in the Battle of Jamrud (1837), Lehna Singh moved back to their Gujranwala palace with his wife & mother-in-law (Hari Singh’s widow). There he went through a great transformation from top military leader to ‘Saint.’ At the age of 50, he relinquished his title, worldly belongings, & lifestyle to devote his remaining life to ‘Bhakti, Kirtan, & Langar’ (dedication to God while serving the poor/needy).

‘Bapuji’- as he was later affectionately called by followers, would spend the next 25 years of his life, doing ‘Bhakti’ & reciting the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scriptures) on a palang (bed) until his death in 1893. His 150-year old ‘palang’ & 200-year old Guru Granth Sahib (pictured above) are well-preserved in Chandigarh- where devotees from around the world come to pay their respects.

Satguru Ram Singh & Satguru Balak Singh, renowned saints & founders of the Namdhari Sikh sect (over a million members worldwide today) were Baba Lehna's contemporaries & they would all spend many months together exchanging views on religion & ‘Gurbani.’ Hence, Baba Lehna Singh’s noble ideals & beliefs are well regarded even today in the Namdhari Sikh community.

Over a century later, Hardarshan Singh Soin (Baba Lehna's great-grandson & 'Sardar' Hari Singh Nalwa's great-great-grandson) & family launched a series of charitable activities in his honor to perpetuate his:

• Memory 

• Ideals

• Service to humanity- propagate the importance of Education, Gurbani, Parchar, & other welfare activities for the weakest sections of society.