Companion of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji; martyred at Delhi
Bhai Dayala
Bhai Dayala, also called Dial Das, was a senior Sikh trusted by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He looked after Guru Ji's family and the eastern sangats, and he went with Guru Ji in 1675. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism and Gupta say he was martyred at Delhi on 11 November 1675, though one narrative differs.
Family
The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, following Shahid Bilas Bhai Mani Singh, names his father as Mai Das and his younger brother as Bhai Mani Ram. Gupta describes him as the eldest brother of Bhai Mani Singh, and says he came from Alipur in Multan district. He is a different person from the Dial Das who was a grandson of Bhai Bhagatu and lived in the time of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.[EoS][Gupta]
Service in the east
He was in Guru Ji's party on the eastern journey of 1665-70, and he was among those held and then freed in 1665. When Guru Ji went on from Patna, he stayed behind to care for the family. The Encyclopaedia says that several letters from Guru Ji told the sangats of the Varanasi and Patna area to follow his directions. Gupta prints summaries of letters that ask sangats to hand their offerings to him, and adds that he decided disputes on Guru Ji's council.[EoS][Gupta]
Arrest and martyrdom
He left Anandpur with Guru Ji on 11 July 1675, and he was arrested with him. Gupta quotes a Bhatt Vahi entry that records the arrest and four months in custody.
The Encyclopaedia says that he refused to give up his faith and was martyred on 11 November 1675 in a cauldron of heated water. Gupta says he protested at what was done to Bhai Mati Das, and that he was bound in a chain and placed in boiling oil, all in Guru Ji's sight.[EoS][Gupta]
What the sources disagree on
- Whether he was martyred at Delhi
The Encyclopaedia and Gupta say so. Macauliffe's narrative gives a different picture. It lists a Dayala among the five Sikhs who went with Guru Ji, saying that the names are only reported, and says that after Bhai Mati Das was martyred three of the Sikhs left the prison and only Bhai Gurditta stayed.[EoS][Gupta][Macauliffe]
- The manner of his martyrdom
The Encyclopaedia says water, and Gupta says oil.[EoS][Gupta]
- His father's name
The Encyclopaedia and one Bhatt Vahi entry quoted by Gupta give Mai Das. Another entry quoted by Gupta gives Moti Das.[EoS][Gupta]