Sangat Singh Bangeshwar

Shaheed Bhai Sangat Singh Bangesar (born Bhai Sangtia Rai, also called Bhai Sant Singh) was a Sikh warrior, general and martyr in the Battle of Chamkaur.

He was the main reason for the Khalsa Panth to receive Gurudom in Chamkaur, 6th December 1704. He was one out of the 42 first Shahids of the Guru Khalsa Panth. It was the congregation's wish that Guru Gobind Singh left Chamkaur Sahib and he did so with respect, and seeing their devotion, and understanding it as the final test for the position of 'Guru' he conferred upon the Khalsa, his sons, the gift of Gurudom.

Early life
Sangat Singh was born in Punjab His grandfather was a small nobleman of the Illahabad Subah under Akbar named Bhanu Khan from Dhaka. He was trained in Shastar Vidya, Gatka, horse-riding, warfare and martial arts and also studied languages, e.g - Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Sanskrit, Persian and Braj Bhasha. Later, he was sent by his father to serve Guru Gobind Singh in the Khalsa, before Vaisakhi, 1699.

Bhai Sangat Singh took part in battles of Bhangani, Bajrur, Nadaun, all four battles of Anandpur Sahib, Bansali, Nirmohgarh, Sarsa and Chamkaur.

Killing of Hussain Khan
During a battle between Hussain Khan and Raja Gopal Chand, Bhai Sangat Singh (at that time Sangtia Rai) was sent on the side of Raja Gopal Chand with 7 horsemen, they all died excepting Sangtia Rai who had shot Hussain Khan with an arrow. Raja Kirpal Chand Katoch and Raja Ajmer Chand of Kahlur had teamed up to avenge Hussain Khan, Sangtia Rai had stood his ground and wounded both the Rajas- although they were overran.

Battle of Chamkaur
In the Second Battle of Chamkaur, Bhai Sangat Singh Bangesar along with all 41 other Khalsa Sikhs decided that the Guru should leave and they would die for the Guru to escape. Dhan Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji was requested to agree to the Sangat, and realized who the next Guru was going to be. His son; the Guru Khalsa Panth, so hence he dressed Bhai Sangat Singh Bangesar, who bore a high degree of physical resemblance to Dhan Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji, in blue clothes, with his weapons and jewelry, along with 5 Paise and a coconut before bowing down to the Khalsa, all symbols of the passing of the title of Guru. He has the attire, Kalgi and Dastar of the Guru hence the Mughals were tricked into believing who the Guru was in Chamkaur. "'The True Guru then thought in his mind, 'There are two types of offspring in the world. One is called genetic and the other are disciples [Sikhs]*. At this moment I have both.

[But] my genetic offspring are now being killed, and my Sikhs day by day are ever increasing. Thus my Sikhs are my children, these great Panth of the Khalsa. This Panth will remain in this world as long as the earth, moon, and sun exist. This gift of the status of Guru in the Guru's house I will give now to them, the Khalsa.'

Thinking this the Guru Sahib called all the Singhs, they quickly came close, bowing down and then sitting beside the Guru. On all sides a special court session commenced.

The True Guru looking at their pains asked them all properly if they were well. The Guru said to all the Singhs, 'I am now giving the Panth the title of Guru”" Guru Gobind Singh and two others went into the battle and fought, killing many of the soldiers, and managed to escape to a nearby Haveli. Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh became Shaheeds in the battle, and Sahibzada Jorawar Singh managed to break through the Mughal hordes. All the others including Bhai Mokham Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Sahib Singh and Bhai Isar Singh achieved martyrdom. Bhai Sangat Singh Bangesar and Bhai Deva Singh only two Sikhs got left at the fort and after Guru's exit and they went on war front to Mughal army and fought against them and achieved martyrdom.

Influence
Bhai Sangat Singh Khalsa College, Banga, Punjab was named after him.

The Martyrdom of Bhai Sangat Singh has become a state-level function in Punjab.

Jazzy B and Sukshinder Shinda sang about him in the song titled "Bhai Sangat Singh Ji" in 2009.