The Battle of Khidrana (Mukatsar), December 29, 1705;
Martyrdom of 40 Mukte, the "Forty Liberated Ones':

After a bloody battle at Chamkaur, on December 7, Guru Gobind Singh and three other survivors needed a safe place, for a brief respite.

At Kot Kapura, south of river Sutlej, Chaudhari Kapura, a Brar Chief, met Guru Gobind Singh and provided him with a guide to lead him to a dhab (a natural depression fed by rain water) at Khidrana, across a waterless waste.

In the meantime, a courageous Sikh lady, Mai Bhago, leading a group of repentant Sikhs, was in search of their Guru, whom they had deserted a few days back, trapped in a siege. Now that their Guru, separated from hundreds of his devoted followers, and having lost many including all four of his sons, was looking for a safe haven, to get in touch with the rest of his scattered family and his devotees, these 'lost sheep' wanted to be back with their 'shepherd'

[According to tradition in Sikh books, when these Sikhs who had left Anandpur after signing a bedaawa (a disclaimer), went home, they were chided by their wives; asked to 'wear bangles' and stay at home, while they would go and fight on behalf of their Guru. Regretting their conduct they had come back, and were met by Mai Bhago, who brought them along in search of Guru Gobind Singh. But, one wonders how could all of them received similar response from their wives; returning from their homes in different places come together at one place, and meet Mai Bhago at the same time. They had probably not yet gone home, when Mai Bhago met them, chided them all, and brought them back in search of Guru Gobind Singh. ]

As soon as they caught up with him at Khidrana, they also heard in the distance, a sound of galloping horses behind them. Realizing that it was a pursuing imperial party, they immediately spread their sheets over bushes, to give the place appearance of a large camp.

Guru Gobind Singh took a vantage position on a sandy mound, to watch and guide the proceedings. The Singhs readied themselves for the ensuing battle, and as soon as the Mughals came within range, they fired their muskets in a volley, with a cover provided by their archers. They dashed forward to give the confused enemy a hand-to-hand fight. In the first round they had an advantage of surprise, and were able to slaughter a large number of opponents, before they themselves were slain or incapacitated. The confused imperialists were not sure of the strength of the camp. So they kept themselves at a distance, firing at the bushes, and giving hand-to-hand fight to those Singhs who came out to keep them back with their muskets, spears or their swords.

By the time the Mughals withdrew for their evening prayers, Guru Gobind Singh had left on his side, mostly dead or dying.

The Mughals realized they had no access to water. Especially for their horses. Also on their march early that day they had seen, water was scarce in the area. They chose to declare victory and march back, raising their war cry "Allah hoo Akbar" -- God is Great.

God is great, indeed.

Guru Gobind Singh came down from the mound, looking at faces of the Singhs, blessing the dead. Searching for the wounded, but alive, he recognized Mahan Singh. Taking his head in his lap, he praised his valour and the gallantry of all the Majha Singhs, who had come with him and laid down their lives, for his sake. The Guru asked the gravely wounded Mahan Singh to ask for any boon, "My true Guru, please tear off the bedaawa!" The Guru honoured his wish, and Mahan Singh closed his eyes forever.

Mai Bhago was badly wounded but survived.

The "Forty" disclaimers, now martyrs, were declared absolved, "Muktas," and in their honour, the Khidrana dhab was named Mukatsar (pool of Absolution).

Mai Bhago, dressed in a man's clothing remained with Guru Gobind Singh's party till her preceptor, left for his heavenly abode at Nanded in 1708.