The work being done by Bhai Ghaniya Ji Mission Society (Regd.) for the service of mankind needs no introduction. The basic principle of the society is to render selfless service to the poor, needy & down trodden patients irrespective of caste, creed, color or race.
Bhai Ghaniya (1648-1718), was a disciple of Guru Teg Bahadur – Ninth Guru Nanak – the founder of Sikhism. Bhai Ghaniya Ji was born in a Dhamman Khatri family of Sodhare near Wazirabad in Sialkot district (now in Pakistan), His father was a rich trader, but he had a religious bent of mind and was in search of spiritual bliss. He met Guru Teg Bahadur in 1671 and remained in his holy company till 1675- when Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was martyred by Mughals defending the basic human and religious rights of oppressed Hindus. During four years of holy association with Guru Teg Bahader Ji, Bhai Ghaniya Ji underwent a big spiritual transformation. The teachings of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji that service to the mankind is a service of Waheguru (God) created an everlasting imprint on the mind and soul of Bhai Ghaniya Ji.
After the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji his son Guru Gobind Singh raised Khalsa to fight against Mughals for restoration of human right, freedom of religion, equality and justice.
During the frequent battles between the Sikhs and the tyrant Mughals, Bhai Ghaniya Ji was often seen carrying a water container made of animal skin (mashak) to serve water to anyone who was thirsty in battle field. He quenched the thirst of the wounded soldiers of both sides in the battle of Anandpur Sahib in 1704.
`He did this sewa with love and affection without any discrimination between the Guru’s Sikh soldiers and the Mughals army soldiers. The wounded Mughal soldiers after being served water by Bhai Ghaniya Ji were able to fight again with Sikh Army. This annoyed Sikh soldiers as they knew Bhai Ghaniya Ji was also a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and they were fighting against the tyrant under the command of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They lodged complaint with Guru Gobind Singh Ji against Bhai Ghaniya Ji for serving water to opponents in the battle field. Guru Ji on receiving the complaint summoned Bhai Ghaniya Ji to give clarification about the allegations leveled by Sikh soldiers. Bhai Ghaniya Ji who had attained height of spirituality, readily confessed that he served water to Sikh soldiers and Mughal soldiers alike.
On being asked by the Guru Why so? Bhai Ghaniya Ji humbly submitted that as he had been groomed with the teachings of Guru Sahib that all human beings are the creation of Almighty and he sees image of Guru in every Sikh and Mughal soldier alike and thereby water goes to Guru’s mouth who has taught me this spiritual message. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was very happy with the generous service of Bhai Ghaniya Ji. He gave bandage and balm (MALHAM DABBI) to Bhai Ghaniya Ji and advised him to apply this also on wounded soldiers. Bhai Ghaniya Ji followed the instructions of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and accordingly applied balm and bandage on wounded Mughal Soldiers also. The role of Bhai Ghaniya Ji is remembered and practiced by the Sikhs all over the world. The society is also following the teachings of Bhai Ghaniya Ji.