Bhai Daya Singh was born in 1669 CE in Lahore. His father's name was Bhai Sudha, while mother's was Mai Dayali. At birth he was named, Daya Ram. He partook Amrit from the tenth Nanak, on the Vaisakhi of 1699 as the first amongst the Panj Piaré. He became the Jathedar of the Panj Piaré.

Bhai Daya Singh was sent to the Deccan to deliver Guru Gobind Singh's letter, the Zafarnamah, to Emperor Aurangzab.

Bhai Daya Singh participated in nearly all the battles of the Khalsa. As the Jathedar of the Panj Piaré, he left the fortress of Chamkaur with Guru Gobind Singh and remained with him till his (Bhai Daya Singh's) death at Abchal Nagar in 1708, just one month before the demise of Guru Gobind Singh. A Gurdwara there jointly preserves the memory of Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai Daya Singh.