Baba Makhan Shah Lobana was born on July 7, 1619, at village Tanda in Jhelum district of West Punjab. He rose to become a big businessman who carried out his trade through land and sea coast but moved mainly through river routes. One day, one of his ships carrying his goods was caught in a storm and struck underwater rocks. His life, the safety of the crew and goods were in great danger. He knelt down and prayed to the Guru to help him, his crew and consignment to safety and he would donate five hundred mohars to the Guru’s inventory for charitable purposes.
The ship steered safely out of the storm. Makhan Shah immediately left for Delhi to fulfill his vow. On arrival in Delhi, he found that Guru Har Kishanji had passed away. While breathing his last, he had said “Baba Bakale”. The ninth Master was to reveal himself at Bakala. He immediately moved his caravan to Bakala. He reached there in the first week of August 1664. On arrival there, he found that as many as 22 persons were posing as the ninth Guru. He saw that it was difficult to identify the real Guru whom he should offer 500 mohars. He decided to offer only five mohars to each one of them and gauge their reaction. The true Guru will be the one who shall known his secret wish.
One by one he visited all of them and offered five mohars each. None reacted. Finally, he enquired if there was any other Sodhi Baba. On August 10, 1664, he was guided by a local boy to Guru Tegh Bahadur, popularly called Baba Tegha, where he was meditating. Makhan Shah bowed before him and offered five mohars. Baba then opened his eyes and said: “God bless you my man, but why only five mohars after having pledged five hundred”.
Makhan Shah was so overwhelmed by this chance discovery of the Guru that he was unable to speak for some time. He came out of the Guruji’s room and climbed on to the roof. He waived his chadar over his head and started shouted; “Guru Ladho Re! Guru Ladho Re!” (I have found the guru! I have found the guru!).
The announcement was greeted by thousands of people who had gathered there. Makhan Shah asked his attendants to bring all the gifts respectfully to the Guru’s house while he himself carried a robe of honour, specially prepared for the Guru. On an appeal by Makhan Shah, the Guru then came out of his house and blessed the gathering.
Attack by Dhir Mall
After finding the Guru there was a pandemonium and all 22 fake manjis start running like bulls running during a stampede and all of them ran away. Only Dhir Mall stayed there and he said who is Makhan Shah to put himself in charge of case involving us sodhis? He also said bad things about Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, and his assistants were refusing to relinquish their right to the Guruship. Dhir Mall felt so jealous that he was ready to fight to the death if required.
As soon as Baba Makhan Shah left the darbar for meals and Sri Guru Tegh bahadur was left only with few personal attendents and members of household with about hundred fully armed men Shihan rushed out of the house commanding all other men of his gang to follow him. Dhir mal followed him from the rear to watch and direct the operations, if possible. The raiders powered upon everyone they met to join them.
Kirpal Chand, Bhai Jetha, Bhai Dayala put up a stout defence with whatever stick or staff they could get hold of. In next movement Shihan aimed bullet at Guru Tegh Bahadur and fired point blank. The Guru has a minor bullet injury on his shoulder. Kirpal Chand and Bhai Jetha asked all the men to hold there arms and be prepared to punish the bandits and redeem the stolen goods. A messenger was immediately sent to Makhan Shah. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur urged everyone not to upset by material loses. Soon, Makhan Shah arrived with his men armed to their teeth. Makhan Shah was shocked at damage done to darbar and injuries sustained to by the Guru.
Baba Makhan Shah and Dhir Mall
Makhan Shah marched with his men to Dhir Mall’s house. Dhir Mall bolted the door from inside and Shihan took the responsibility to defend the house. The next moment Makhan Shah was at door loudly asking Dhir Mall to surrender all stolen property immediately or prepared for dire consequences. Shihan and Dhirmall hurled abuses at Makhan Shah and Kirpal Chand and their men. The next moment Makhan Shah and Kirpal Chand ordered their men to storm Dhir Mall’s house and punish everyone who resisted but avoid killing anyone.
After a tough fight, everyone of Dhir Mall’s masands and hired bandits were arrested and dragged to the presence of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Addressing Dhir Mal, Makhan Shah said, “I have spared your life just because you are the Guru’s nephew, otherwise I would not have hesitated to destroy a cowardly killer like you.” Dhir Mall and his masands were down on there knees begging the Guru to pardon their offences. Deeply moved by their tears of repentance, Guru Tegh Bahadur not only ordered their immediate release, but even resented harsh treatment accord to them. Explaining his action, Makhan Shah said, “Gurudeva, if we allowed ourselves to be robbed and plundered the way Dhir Mall and his masands have done, we might be compeletly annihilated. How could we tolerate their attempt to murder thee, Master?” All the items brought from Dhir Mall’s camp were returned as per the Guru’s directive. Dhir Mall then reprimanded Shihan for all these happenings and next day left for kartarpur.
Accompanied Guru to Amritsar
On Nov. 22 1664 AD Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur left for Amritsar in response to invitation of Dwarka Dass and Bhai Garhia. Makhan Shah’s convoy carried provisions. There are two different versions what happened to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji at Amritsar.
According to evidence of Bhatt Vahi in “Tumar Bijlautan ki” and “Guru Kian Sakhian” by Sarup Singh Kaushish, no untoward event came to pass on this occasion and Hariji, son and succesor of Baba Meharban and then custidion of Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, along with his son Kanwal Nainand, local sangat came round and made obeisance before Guru Tegh Bahadur and pesonally took him inside the premisis of temple.
According to Dr. Trilochan Singh, as soon as Guru ji and others reached Harimandir sahib to pay homage to sacred place, they found that the door to the entrance were closed to them. The whole of Amritsar was now under the control of Hariji Mina (son of Meharbaan). The Mina’s had full control of Harimandir sahib and they were afraid that they could be thrown out of the panth in same manner as Dhir Mall had been thrown out of Bakala.
Makhan Shah said to the Guru, “I will not let them treat you like that. Permit me master, to compel them to open the doors”. Guru Sahib said, “No Makhan Shah, we will never use force.” Just then, a peasent women named Hariyan of nearby village Walla stepped forward and begged and pleaded to the Guru to spend the night in her humble dwelling. The Guru at once agreed to spend the night at Walla as guest.
Makhan Shah now found the oppurtunity to enter the temple and pay his homage to sacred shrine. He then denounced and admonished the preists in presence of women who had come there to question them. When the priests came to know that the man addressing then was Makhan Shah, who severly punished Dhir Mall, they became cautious not to annoy or contradict him. They start making the lame excuses to defend their action. Makhan Shah explained to them how he had tested all the imposters and Guru Tegh Bahadur had been acknowledged as rightful successor to Guru Har Krishan. Makhan Shah told them, “I would handle you all, teach you a lesson here and now, but Gurdeva has ordered me to be tolerant towards even notorious people like you.”
The next day Guru Sahib thanked Mata Harian and came to the temple where priests tendered their formal apology to the Guru. After paying homage at the sacred shrine, Guru Tegh Bahadur went to Goindwal. From Goindwal, Guru ji, Makhan Shah, Mati Das and Dyal Das rode on horse backs ahead of everybody and under supervision of Kirpal Chand followed a large convoy.
At Kiratpur
Now Guru Tegh Bahadur and his followers reached at Kiratpur in March 1665; a number of distinguished visitors came to pay homage to the master. Rani Jalal Devi, wife of Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur offered substantial amount of money and land to build a new city for Guru’s residence. Guru ji refused to accept the land as gift but agrees to buy it on reasonable payment in vicinity of Kiratpur. Makhan Shah had made considerable contribution in the payment. An old village Makhowal 8 km. away from Kiratpur was selected as the site for new city, which was first called Nanki Chak and after its extension with villages Mathaur and Lodhipur it is named as Anandpur. Makhan Shah & Kirpal Chand contribution in processing the present site of Anandpur sahib is worth mentioning. Kirpal chand and Makhan shah had the active participation during the course of land.