guru

GURPRANALI, a distinct genre in Punjabi historical writing, providing in prose or in verse chronological information about the lives of the Gurus and of the members of their families. The genre records in the main dates of their birth, marriage and death. Occasionally, the dates of some major events are also mentioned. The genre gained vogue in Sikh times in the first half of the nineteenth century and has continued to claim adherents in the twentieth. For the history of early Sikhism, the gurprandlis along with janam sdkhis constitute serviceable source material. 

GURUSAR PATSHAHI X, GURDWARA, lending its name to the village that has grown in its neighbourhood, stands near Saravan, a village 10 km south east of Kot Kapura (30°35`N, 74°49`E) in Faridkot district of the Punjab. It marks the site where Guru Gobind Singh put up on his way from Dina to Kot Kapura in December 1705. According to Sdkhl Pothi., residents ofBaihbal and Saravan villages took some of the Sikhs accompaning Guru Gobind Singh to their homes for meals. As they returned to the camp, Guru Gobind Singh asked each one of them what he had been given to eat.

HARl DAS, BHAI, along with Bhai Lalu and Bhai Balu, Vij Khatris, once visited Guru Arjan and requested to be initiated. Before initiation, the Guru, according to Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, instructed them thus: "Shed pride, attachment and malice, and do not think ill of others. Meet other Sikhs with a cheer and greet them with affection. Remember the fivefold path speak politely; be humble; eat only out of what you earn by your honest labour; treat others with love; and share your victuals with them.

HAYAT KHAN (d. 1688), one of the disbanded officials of the Mughal army who, along with five hundred Pathan soldiers, was recruited by Guru Gobind Singh at Paonta Sahib, on the recommendation of Pir Buddhu Shah of Sadhaura. On the eve of the battle of Bharigani, he however deserted the Guru and joined the hill chiefs against him. Hayat Khan was challenged in the battle by Kirpal, the m,ahant or head of the Udasi sddhus. Kirpal killed Hayat Khan with his heavy club. The feat is described by Guru Gobind Singh in a vivid image in his Bachitra Natak.

GURDWARA HOLGARH SAHIB stands on the site of Holgarh Fort, one and a half km north-west of the town across the Charan Gariga rivulet. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh introduced in the spring of 1701, the cel-ebration of hola on the day following the Hindu festival of colour-throwing, holi. Unlike the playful sprinkling of colours as is done during holi, the Guru made hola an occasion for Sikhs to demonstrate skills-al-arms in simulated battle. Hola or Hola Mahalla, became thereafter an annual tour-ney of warlike sports in Anaiidpur as long as the Guru stayed there.

JAGATA, a Brahman Sikh appointed masand to look after the Sikhs in Lahore, presented himself at Anandpur in 1698 in response to the general summons from Guru Gobind Singh for all sangat leaders in different parts to come and explain their conduct in view of complaints received against them.Jagata humbly pleaded innocence and apologized for any inadvertent lapse. The Guru trusted his word and asked him to continue serving thenceforth under the direction of Bhai Pheru.

JANAM SAKHI, i.e. life story, is the term used to designate traditional narratives of the life of Guru Nanak. Although the compound is occasionally applied to narratives concerning later Gurus or other religious teachers too, it is normally confined to those which relate in anecdotal prose the life and teachings of the First Master. Several janam sdkhi traditions have evolved, particularly during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

JATI MALL (d. 1642), also referred to as Jati Malik or Malak JatI, was the son of Bhai Singha who laid down his life for Guru Hargobind in the battle of Amritsar (1629). Brahman by birth, Singha was the family priest of the Sodhis. He converted to Sikhism and became a skilled warrior. Likewise, his son, JatT Mall, practised the manly arts and took part in all the battles fought by Guru Hargobind. Among his troop commanders, he ranked next only to Bhai Bidhi Chand and Rai Jodh.

JOGA SINGH. a Sikh youth from Peshawar, who had lived in the presence of Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) at Anandpur for many years and served him with devotion. One day as his parents, eager to see him married, arrived to escort him back home, the Guru permitted him to depart, saying that he must return at once when recalled. Joga Singh was in the midst of his nuptials and had completed only two of the customary four circumambulations when a Sikh delivered to him the Guru`s letter of recall. He left the ceremony midway and, despite the protestations and importunities of his relations, immediately set out for Anandpur.

KALE KHAN, one of the Pathan officers who had joined service under Guru Gobind Singh at Paonta Sahib after their dismissal from the Mughal army. He is said to have remained steadfast in his devotion to the Guru and his troops fought on his side in the battle of Bharigani (1688), whereas most of his other companions had deserted him and crossed over to the hill rajas. Unlike some other participants in the battle of Bharigani, Kale Khan is not mentioned in Guru Gobind Singh`s Bachitra Ndiak.