History of the Dasam Granth

Lineage chart showing the formulation of the Dasam Granth
Part of a series on the
Dasam Granth
ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ
Main compositions
Apocryphal compositions (Asfottak Banis)
Various aspects
Poetical metres, modes, measures, and rhythms

The history of the Dasam Granth is related to the time of creation and compilation of various writings by Guru Gobind Singh in form of small booklets, some of which are Sikh prayers. The first combined-codex manuscripts of the Dasam Granth were created during the Guru period.[1] It is also said that after 1708, the Dasam Granth was allegedly compiled by Mani Singh Khalsa, contributed by other Khalsa armymen under direct instructions of Mata Sundari and this volume is recognized as Sri Dasam Granth Sahib (according to a letter attributed to Mani Singh).[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The present day Dasam Granth includes Jaap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitar Natak, Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas, Chandi Charitar II, Chandi di Var, Gyan Prabodh, Chaubis Avtar, Rudra Avtar, 33 Sawaiye, Khalsa Mahima, Shashtar Nam Mala Purana, Ath Pakh-yaan Charitar Likh-yatay and Zafarnamah.

Some argue that Guru Gobind Singh did not compile the book himself,[1] and the historic authenticity of some of the later additions to the Dasam Granth (apocrypha) is questioned by scholars. There is a prevalent view that the Dasam Granth was written by Nirmala scholars or Hindu Pundits or Saktas scholars, possibly under the patronage of the British, and was an attempt to hinduize Sikhism. According to them, some of the compositions included in Dasam Granth (such as Charitropakhyan) are out of tune with other Sikh scriptures, and must have been composed by other poets.[9][10]

The Ram Raiyas of Payal were first recorded critic in Sikh history who attacked on Ragi Bulaki Singh for reading hymns of Dasam Granth. Ram Raiyas as considered as enemies of the Guru family as Ram Rai was excluded from Guru Har Rai because of his dishonest behavior[11]

  1. ^ a b Birk, Kamalroop Singh (December 2013). Dasam Granth re-examined: an examination of the textual history with reference to key authors and commentators (d_ph thesis). University of Birmingham.
  2. ^ Sri Gur Sobha, Poet Senapat
  3. ^ Gurbilas Patshshi 10, Koer Singh Kalal
  4. ^ BansavaliNama Kesar Singh Chibber
  5. ^ Mahima Parkash, Sarup Dass Bhalla
  6. ^ Guru Kian Sakhian, Sarup Singh Kausish
  7. ^ Sketch of Sikhs - Sir JB Malcolm
  8. ^ Giani Gian SIngh, Twarikh Guru Khalsa
  9. ^ McLeod, W. H. (2005-07-28). Historical dictionary of Sikhism. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 44–. ISBN 978-0-8108-5088-0. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  10. ^ Amaresh Datta, ed. (2006). The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume One (A To Devo), Volume 1. Sahitya Akademi. p. 888. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1.
  11. ^ ਏਸ ਸਮੇ ਇਕ ਬੁਲਾਕੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਸ਼ਹੂਰ ਰਾਗੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਬੰਦੇ ਪਾਸ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਕੇ ਫਰਿਆਦ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਲਕੇ ਪਾਇਲ ਘੁੜਾਣੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ ਠੈਹਰ ਕੇ ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਰਹੁਰਾਸ ਪੜਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਨੇ ਦਸਮ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਚੋਪਈ ਪੜ੍ਹੀ ਤਾਂ ਉਥੋਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਮਰਈਏ ਲੋਗਾਂ ਨੇ ਦਸਮੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਨੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਨੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਭੀ ਗਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੀ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੰਦਾ ਭੀ ਭੰਨ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਦੇਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ ? ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਸੁੰਨ ਕੇ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਨੇ ਬੰਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਨਾਲ ਲੇਕਰ ਪਾਇਲ ਪਰ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਈ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਪਾਇਲ ਨੂੰ ਲੁੱਟ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਰਾਮਰਾਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਜਾਏ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਤੇ ਬੁਲਾਕਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੂੰ ਉਥੇ ਦਾ ਥਾਨੇਦਾਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਆਪ ਇਕ ਦਸਤਾ ਫੌਜ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਤੋਪਾਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਮਲੇਰ ਕੋਟਲੇ ਕੀ ਤਰਫ਼ ਕੂਚ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ।
    (Page-28,29-Shamsher Khalsa, Giani Gian Singh)