Gurmail Singh Gill
Gurmail Singh GillThe works of the tenth Guru Gobind Singh, who was rich in pen and Teg, his works, the works of Sikhs close to him and other court poets and literary men are of great importance in Sikh history. Apart from 52 poets, other poets and historians used to come and go in the Guru’s court. He was also a scholar who wrote Jas of the Gurus. According to poet Bhai Santokh Singh:
Bawan Kavi Hazur Gur Rehit Sad Hi Pass.
Let’s go and say as much as I can.
In other words, apart from 52 poets, there were also many poets and historians who came from time to time in Guru’s court. Apart from Bavanja poets, those poets were also credible historians and poets presenting contemporary facts of Guruji.
In 1680 AD Aurangzeb issued a furman to the scholars and closed down all centers and schools for learning and teaching Sanskrit. Most of the mullahs in Aurangzeb’s court were mullahs, from whom he used to listen to the meaning of the Qur’an and had religious discussions. Each interpreted according to his wisdom and ability, but he was not satisfied. One day, Prince Muazzam was also present in the court and Aurangzeb asked him to explain the verse. He asked the king for time to think. The prince got the interpretation of the verse from Bhai Nand Lalji and recited this interpretation in the court of Emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb was very happy to hear this explanation and on hearing this, Aurangzeb asked who had given this explanation. Muazzam told the truth that he got this explanation from Bhai Nand Lalji. Aurangzeb rewarded Bhai Sahib by inviting him to his court and during the conversation, the Emperor came to know that Bhai Sahib was a Hindu Kshatriya. Aurangzeb’s heart was filled with disgust. He said to the prince, ‘It is a matter of great surprise, such a learned and intelligent person has not yet come under the circle of Islam, I do not approve of this person being a Hindu.’ Hearing this, the prince angrily walked out of the court and Bhai Sahib also walked with him, when Aurangzeb stopped him and said, ‘You can’t go, tell me, are you willing to be a Muslim or not?’ Bhai Sahib said. ‘Give me a day to think.’ Coming out after meeting the deadline, the prince explained to Bhai Sahib, ‘You are my friend, you should leave here and save your life.’ After coming home, Bhai Sahib fell into deep thought. They thought that if life is not immortal then one should not convert, one day death will come. After looking around, I could not see any other place, so I finally thought that I should go to Anandpur Sahib, the city of the Guru. On reaching Anandpur Sahib, he came to the Guru Darbar forever and became the court poet of Guru Ji. This incident is of 1695 AD. Bhai Sahib was the court poet of Guru Ji from 1695 AD till he left Fort Anandpur in 1704 AD and continued to receive salary.
In 1697 AD Another learned poet Kanwar Sen son of Sri Keshav Das Bundelkhandi came under the shelter of Guru Ji due to fear of Aurangzeb and Guru Ji included him among his court poets and paid him a salary. Many more Sanskrit, Hindi poets and scholarly writers came to Anandpur Sahib and took shelter of Guruji. Such orders were also sent from the court of Guruji that wherever a scholar, poet, historian, skilled and good craftsman is found, bring him along or send him on payment of the travel expenses:
Allow me Satguru Dayal.
Learned Pandit Lehu Bhal.
What has been learned
Bring the same Puran Sang. (Mahima Prakash)
According to the edict, ‘We will be very happy if the Sikh Guru comes to the court with a good book, a good horse and armor.’ When poets and learned writers reached Anandpur Sahib, all expenses were paid. No scholar or poet was discriminated against in the Guru Darbar on the basis of religion, caste and caste:
Satguru came to gather all.
Much respect Satguru Ju Kare.
Mercy to Mirjada bandh spending.
Bed bibhed kahu nahi bhadya. (Mahima Prakash)
Guru Sahib himself was a learned poet and a saintly soldier. He cared a lot about scholars and poets. There are many historical examples of this. Guru Sahib used to place gold seals under the pillows of sleeping scholars and learned poets, presented valuable dushalas as rewards and showed heartfelt respect. Scholarly literati were appointed to research and revise ancient literature. ‘Hanuman Natak’ written by poet Hirde Ram was respected as ‘Bir Ras Se Bhari’. It also recorded lines of poetry by Lahore-based poet Kankan and four of its works were torn, after rewriting and completing them, the prize was awarded to poet Amrit Roy. Inspired scholars to translate ancient texts of other languages into Gurmukhi:
Gurmukhi scribes called near.
Ta ko sab bidh dai bhuhaye.
Write Kar Bhakha Gurmukhi Bhai.
Puni mo ko dehu katha Sunay. (Mahima Prakash)
When Aurangzeb’s sword began to attack Muslims with Shia and Sufi thoughts, they also reached the court of Guruji after hearing the glory of Anandpur Sahib. Anandpur Nagar became a center of language, literature, culture and education. The number of illiterates in Anandpur began to decrease due to the efforts of Guru Darbar scholars and Guru Ji:
Bal Birad All Modification Pathawa.
No one should be illiterate.
If a devotee of Guruji came to Anandpur Sahib for darshan, he would be taught the Gurmukhi alphabet and great efforts would be made to make him sing Gurbani. Gutka Sahib used to be distributed during fairs like Baisakhi and Gurpurab. Dasam Pita used to say, the one who cannot read and write is Gardhab Nii: ‘Achhar Kuch Na Pade Tit Gardhab.’
While propagating the mission, Dasam Pita ji decorated the throne and also issued the edicts with the seal of Sri Damdama Sahib on the throne. The above time is not only the time of residence here, but this time is also the creation time of Pawan Damdami Bir. While staying here, Guruji included in the 57 slokas and shabad bani of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, who came from Delhi’s Kotwali Jail at the hands of the learned poet and saint sepoy Bhai Jeevan Singh. After the completion of the holy Bir, the remaining ink and used pens were poured into the raw reservoir and blessed this holy place with the center of learning ‘Guru Ki Kashi’.
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