BABA MOHAMMED SADIQ or BABA SADIQ was an administrator of the
Nawanshahr Doaba. He was a Hindu who
converted to Islam under certain trying circumstances. He got
Nawanshahr as a jagir and ruled it well
and wisely for many years.
There are two versions about
Baba Sadiq. One of them is
by Late SHRI. VIDYA PRAKASH
s/o
of SHRI. BANSI LAL and
also
appears in a hand
written note ‘HISTORY OF UMMATS’
by LALA RAM LAL.
The second version, is taken from a research paper written by a
student based on an interview with SHRI. SATYAVRAT and a
Hand
Written
URDU
Document by SH PARMA NAND
The story goes something like this, BABA MOHAMMED
SADIQ or BABA SADIQ was from the Butchar family and was
related to the Ummats from the maternal side. He was a popular figure
among both the families. SH TRALOKY NATH informs us that his
original name was MOHINDER SEIN.
He committed a
serious crime when he started forging the signature of then Muslim
rulers and passing decrees on his own. He was arrested eventually and
tried. The qazi ruled that he be hanged or spared if he willingly
accepts Islam. BABA SADIQ being worldly-wise decided to
convert. Members of the Butcher
Family
however did take too kindly to BABA SADIQ decision to convert
and not accept death boldly. They considered it as a big blot on their
family name. The
elders in the Ummat family
however accepted
him even after his conversion.
BABA SADIQ
constructed a Baradari
he also constructed a
house in Baba Behra inside Ummaton Mohalla.
which
was located behind
the haveli of SHRI. Munshi Ram Uppal (Kundra).
After converting to Islam, BABA SADIQ got
wealth, queens, fame and prestige. He constructed a tunnel from his
residence to the
Baradari for the ladies. The remains of this tunnel
can be found to this date.
BABA SADIQ
was murdered at the Kund of Baryampur village by his
enemies who were aided by the family members of Butchers who still
hadn’t forgiven him for his decision to convert. He was buried outside
Baradari. This grave is still respected and
honoured by all members of the Ummat family. They visit the grave
regularly and offer flowers while the Butchers continue to ignore him.
The seven havelis of the Ummat family, without anyone
to care for them soon became ruins. Today the members of the Ummat
family have settled all over the world and have weakening links with
family members and their native place.
As
per the information based on the note,
Baba
Sadiq was an Ummat Khtari of Pasrur in Sialkot district (now in
Pakistan) and his original name was BUKHARI MAL. It is said that
RAM RAI SAHIB appointed BUKHARI MAL, his nephew as manager of his jagir.
When Aurangzeb forced his parents to convert to Islam,
BUKHARI MAL issued a hukumnamma to the Emperor. He was
summoned before the emperor in Delhi and made to see the emperor’s
point of view. He converted and got the name Baba Sadiq. He was made
the administrator of Nawanshahr.
During the course of his duties he got involved in a
fight with the Butchars. This enmity resulted in his death eventually
when the disgruntled members of the Butchar family killed him in the
forests of Makandpur with the assistance of Rajputs of
Saroya
village.
While the versions of SHRI. VIDYA PRAKASH and
SHRI. PARMA
NAND have their merits, SHRI. VIDYA PRAKASH’s story is generally believed
to be more credible.
After his murder, Baba Mohammed
Sadiq was buried near
Baradari. The
Mazhar still exists and is venerated by all communities of
Nawanshahr. Every Thursday morning, lamps
are lit at the Mazhar and flowers are offered.
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Baba
Mohamed Sadiq
