Gurdwara Sri Baba Moti Ram Mehra, Fatehgarh sahib
Gurdwara Sri Baba Moti Ram Mehra, situated 500 Meters from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, was where Baba Moti Ram was martyred by Wazir Khan. Gurdwara Sri Baba Moti Ram Mehra has the actual cups used to serve milk to Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji.
Baba Moti Ram Mehra was a servant in the hindu kitchen of the Faujdar. He used to serve food to the hindu prisoners. Jagat Mata Gujri Ji refused to accept the food of the mughal kitchen as well as that which came from Diwan Sucha Nand's house. Baba Moti Ram Mehra was a great follower of Sikh Gurus. He used to serve the Sikhs on their way to Anandpur Sahib and back to their homes. The Sikhs took rest at his mud house, where the mother of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and Bibi Bholi Ji, wife of Mehra Ji, prepared food for these Sikhs.
When Jagat Mata Gujri Ji refused to accept the food, Baba Moti Ram Mehra could not bear the Sahibzadas sleeping hungry. He came home and told his family that he would serve milk and fresh water to these great prisoners. His mother and wife were scared and tried to persuade him not to take such a step. Bibi Bholi, his wife, told him that the Wazir Khan had made an announcement in the town that whoever tried to help and serve any type of food to the sons of the tenth Guru, he along with his family would be crushed alive in a Kohlu, (the oil squeezer).
This information could not change the resolve of Baba ji. His mother told him that there were so many followers of the Guru in the town; they could have dared to serve the Sahibzadas. Baba Moti Ram Mehra humbly, but with determination, told his mother that those followers feared the ruler. 'Aren't you scared, my son?' asked the mother. Baba Mehra ji humbly replied, 'Dear mother our Guru is fighting against injustice of the Mughals. I will serve the great mother and the Sahibzadas. I don't fear the punishment of the Faujdar. The history will not forgive us if we do not serve the great prisoners.'
Sensing his determination, his wife gave him her silver jewellery and some coins and requested him,' Please bribe the gate man of the Burj and request him to keep this act a secret.' Baba ji praised his wife for participation in the great cause. Baba Moti Ram served milk and water to the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji for three nights.
After some time, Pumma, the brother of Gangu, told the Faujdar that his servant (cook) had served the prisoners with milk and water. The Nawab ordered the arrest of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and his mother, wife and a little son. He did not conceal his act and boldly told the Nawab that it was his pious duty to serve the imprisoned children and their grandmother. Hence Baba Moti Ram Mehra, along with his family, was sentenced to death by being squeezed in a Kohlu (oil press).
Baba Moti Ram Mehra's sacrifice was first sermonized by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Today, Baba Moti Ram Mehra is deeply respected by Sikhs. Another less known fact is that Bhai Himmat Singh (one of the original Panj Pyaras) was Bhai Mehra Ji's uncle.