Sanghna village preserves legacy of Shaheed Baba Balaka Singh
The Punjab village commemorates the Sikh warrior through a dedicated gurdwara, a memorial gate, and an annual fair held in October.
Residents of Sanghna village continue to honour the memory of Shaheed Baba Balaka Singh, a warrior who fought against the Mughal forces of Zakariya Khan, according to The Tribune. The village maintains a gurdwara dedicated to him and features a large picture of the Sikh warrior, alongside a memorial gate at the village entrance.
The village holds an annual mela in mid-October to remember him. Historical records indicate that the Sanghna Sekhon clan produced Balaka Singh, who was noted for his military exploits in battle.
The battle involving Balaka Singh took place in December 1726. During the conflict, Balaka Singh advanced against adversaries before being martyred by an arrow to the chest. Following his martyrdom, the Sangat of Sanghana village brought his ashes back to the village, where a gurdwara now stands.
The village has a history of producing notable figures, including Baba Nand Singh, who founded the Sanghania Misl, later known as the Ramgarhia Misl. Other natives, Kartar Singh and Labh Singh, became heads of the Nandgarh Kar Sewa sects at Anandpur Sahib.
In more recent years, Balkar Singh served as the head of the village panchayat for over 20 years, from 1992 to 2013. During his tenure, he was involved in establishing a senior secondary school and a veterinary hospital in the village.