Battle of Babeli

On the night of 31 August 1923, a group of 18 Babbar Akalis in Babeli village took shelter in the house of their associates Shiv Singh Chahal.[1] Anup Singh, one of the Babbars betrayed the Babbars and told the British police to destroy the all of the party's ammunition with the exception of the gun Karam Singh carried with him.[2] A contingent of 2,200 British soldiers and policemen under the command of Mr. Smith encircled the village next morning.[3]

The four Babbars were fighting near Gurudwara Chaunta Sahib.[4] Mr Smith challenged them that he will have them arrested alive before 12 O'Clock. The Babbars refused to surrender and replied "What good was taking you who have brought a posse of 2000 soldiers just to arrest four men. We will not be caught by you alive".[3][5] Udai Singh and Mohinder Singh were killed by gunshots while Bishen Singh managed to crawl towards the Gurudwara in wounded state but eventually died due to the loss of blood.[3][1] The 2,2000 soldiers and officers all attacked Karam Singh who was killed.[6] The British had suffered heavy casualties by just 4 Sikhs.

Immediately after the killings, the bodies of the four Babbars were brought under a huge tree in the village and a post mortem was conducted on the site.[1]

• Babbar Akali Movement
• Martyrdom and Sikhism