Ram Singh Kuka

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Ram Singh Kuka (3 February 1816 – ^{[1][2][dubious – discuss]}) is a Baba in the Kuka Samparda lineage. He is credited as being the first British Indian to use non-cooperation and boycott of British goods and services as a political tool.^{[3] [4][5]} He also used the revolt of 1857 to his advantage and created the Sant Khalsa, he at a young age was a very humble carpenter from the Tarkhan caste.

Early life[]

Ram Singh Kuka was born to mother Sada Kaur and father Jassa Singh. He lived in the village of Raiyan, near Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana. He was raised without an education and only learnt how to become a carpenter when he grew up, although he did not succeed in that so his father sent him to the army of Sher Singh.

Ram Singh Kuka was a member of a unit of Prince Naunial Singh's platoon, the Baghel Regiment. This was mainly an Akali based Regiment although he despised the Akalis because of their beliefs. His regiment was sent Peshawar to bring the royal coffers. On its way back, the unit rested at Hazro Fort, now in Pakistan. It is said that Ram Singh and some soldiers of his regiment went to meet Balak Das, an Udasi saint who was living nearby. Balak Das was overjoyed to see Ram Singh and according to folklore told him: "I had been waiting for you."^[6] Balak Das was not a Khalsa but despised some of its practices. He told Ram Singh Kuka that he was the next in line to Balak Das.

Guru Balak Singh gave him "Batasha" (sugar bubbles), a coconut, five paise coins and took five rounds around him in reverence and bowed before him.^[7] He was made the next Udasi saint in Balak Das's lineage.

References[]