In 1704, Anandpur Sahib was under an extended siege by the allied forces of the Mughals and the Hill States of Shivalik.

They arrived in the village of Jhabal where a Sikh woman named Mata Bhag Kaur, upon hearing their tale of desertion, motivated them into returning to Guru ji at Anandpur Sahib.

The 40 deserters with Mai Bhag Kaur returned to seek out Guru Gobind Singh ji, and joined him near Khidrāne Dee Dhāb preparing for battle against the Mughals.

The guru, finding the dying Maha Singh on the battlefield after the battle, forgave him and his compatriots, tore up their letters of bedava, and blessed them for their service.

The Mela Maghi is held at the holy city of Sri Muktsar Sahib every year in memory of the forty Sikh martyrs.