• Names of prominent Brahmin Sikhs were associated with Sikh Gurus. Who are Nanakpanthis? Mohyal Brahmins and Sikhism. Was Kashmiri Hindu who approached Guru Tegh Bahadur a Nanakpanthi? Contribution of Brahmins to Sikhism. Names of some prominent Brahmin Sikhs of today.

DRAFT FOR REVIEW

In 2022 author of a proposed book on Brahmin Sikhs (ABS) and a Brahmin Sikh himself reached out to me with an article draft. After an email exchange he vanished and so did my interest in the subject. A couple of weeks ago, another Brahmin Sikh reached out with a question on my article Caste in Sikhs. This renewed my interest hence this article.

Some prominent Brahmin Sikhs were Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Das also known as Dayal Das Bhai who attained martyrdom with Guru Tegh Bahadur. Baba Praga Chhibber, who in 1638, during the Gurudom of Guru Hargovind, fought with Paindah Khan the Governor of Lahore. Source Sikiwiki.org This link gives the names of six Mohyal Brahmin associates of the Sikh Gurus, who were martyred by the Mughals because they refused to convert. Source Mohyalhistory.com The link refers to Banda Bairagi too. 

In modern day India, Jasbir Singh Raina, born in a Sikh Brahmin family in Shimla, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra.

At the outset must say that my Dadi was Sikh with maiden surname Bhalla. Guru Nanak picture adorned our family temple until the Khalistanis made us Hindu in the 1980s.

In centre with turban is my great-grandfather. 1948. 

One cannot relate to the past based on Current Nomenclatures

When Guru Nanak (16^th century) lived his religion was called Gurmat or Guru’s wisdom. The public called his followers Nanakpanthis. His disciples called themselves Sikhs from the Sanskrit word Shishya meaning a person who takes spiritual lessons from a teacher. 8 Pg. 659

It was when Guru Govind Singh founded Khalsa on 30.3.1699 that his followers took the name Singh and began to sport the Five K’s (external forms being Kara, Kesh, Kirpan, Kacha and Kangha). The British cemented the 5K’s as part of Sikh identity by making it mandatory under the 1925 Sikh Gurdwaras Act. Read More

Sikh Gurus, as was the case with spiritual men in India, attracted followers be it in J&K or Sindh.

The actual name of the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar is Hari Mandir. It is called Golden Temple after Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated Gold. So also, prior to the name Gurdwara (introduced 18-19^th centuries) it was called Dharamshala. Source 8 Pg. 659 and 12

The concept of Sahj-dhari and Amrit-dhari Sikhs, Nirankaris came later.

What was the association of Chibber Brahmins and the Gurus

In brief, Bhai Gautam Chibber was initiated by Guru Nanak and assigned the seat for preaching of Nanak’s thoughts in Potohar area.  This family produced Diwans and Martyrs like Bhai Praga, Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Satidas and brought many under the Sikh Fold.  Source

A large number of Chibber Brahmins became Nanakpanthis. Chibbers are Saraswat Brahmins and found mostly in Punjab and Kashmir. Post the Muslim invasion of Kashmir, many migrated to Coastal Karnataka/Goa. SRK wife Gauri Khan maiden name was Gauri Chibber.

Who was Pandit Kripa Ram Dutt? Approached Guru Tegh Bahadur for protection

“Pandit Kirpa Ram was the son of Bhai Arhu and grandson of Bhai Narain Das who was the son of Bhai Brahm Das, a devoted Sikh of Guru Nanak.” Sikhnet.com

Pandit Kripa Ram Dutt was a Saraswat Brahmin.  According to what is spoken Pt Dutt was a Hindu Kashmiri Pandit but according to above and ABS, Pt Dutt approached Tegh Bahadur as Nanakpanthi meaning followers of Nanak. Then, contemporary distinctions including Khalsa did not exist.

As per Sikhiwiki.org Pt Kripa Dutt took Khande-Di-Pahul (Sikh initiation ceremony inducting one into Khalsa) and became Kripa Singh. All those who adopted Khalsa took the name Singh just like Dayaram from Lahore (one of the Panj pyare) became Bhai Daya Singh. Pt Dutt attained martyrdom in Chamkaur Sahib in 1705. Modern day Sikhism is a British construct.

Names of Panj Pyare at Keshgarh Sahib. All have Singh against their names. 

Problems arise when we use current day terms like Sikhism to relate to events of the 15-17th centuries.

Contribution of Brahmins to Sikhism

Dr Satish Kapoor, former British Council Scholar-author-historian-spiritualist wrote, “Note that the verses of 23 Brahmins occurs in the Granth Sahib: Surdas, Beni, Parmananda, Trilochana, Jayadeva, Ramananda and 17 bhattas (bards). ‘Vahiguru’, the Sikh name for God appears in the Guru Grantha Sahib through the Savayyas of Gayand, a Bhatta Brahmin.” 5 The Bhatts were a sub-caste of Brahmins from Malwa who by profession were Bards. They did not accept initiation into Khalsa and adopted the style of Sahaj-dharis. 12 Pg. 55

Sanjay Bumbroo wrote in Tribune Chandigarh, “Out of 35 authors whose writings have been incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib, 16 were Brahmins, making their contribution to the holy book to 45 per cent.” 1 “Brahmin Bhala Aakhiye, conducted by Iqbal Singh, senior superintendent of police, Amritsar (rural) has quoted hymns from Guru Granth Sahib to substantiate his viewpoint on the subject. The research is a collection of information about the Brahmins who hail from far-off places like Jagannath, Kashi, Gaya, Vrindaban, Kurukshetra, Lahore, Jhelum, Kashmir, Gorakhpur, Jodhpur and Gwalior, and their contribution towards the Bhakti movement.” 1

According to article by H C Dutt in Dailyexcelsior, “The Sikh army was known for many Mohyal warriors like Baba Praga Chhibber, Bhai Matti Dass.” 

I met a number of Sikhs in Poonch, Jammu region when I visited in 2014. Did not know about the concept of Brahmin Sikhs then.

Why are so many Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir region?

Because Guru Nanak (1515-1517) and Guru Hargovind visited (17^th century). Guru Hargovind was son of Guru Arjun who compiled the Guru Granth Sahib.

I visited Anantnag in 2014 and went to the Surya Mandir complex there. Next to that is the Mattan Sahib Gurdwara that Guru Nanak visited in 1617 and stayed for 13 days. (original name was Bhavan. People pronounce Mattan as Mutton)

Gurdwaras in J&K mainly symbolise Guru Hargovind’s visit in the 17^th century. A friend who photographed these Gurdwaras asked me to search for ‘Chatti Patshahi Guru Hargovind’ visit. The results and this Daily Excelsior article are -

1. “Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi, Srinagar (Kathi Darwaza, Rainawari): The most significant, built to commemorate his visit to meet his devotee, Mai Bhag Bhari.

2. Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi, Parampila (Uri): Located 15 km from Uri at the foot of Chhota Kazinag Dhar, site is linked to the Guru's stay during travels.

3. Gurdwara Sahib Chhevin Patshahi, Baramulla: along Jhelum River.

4. Gurdwara Tali Sahib, Jammu: Located in Talab Tillo, shrine is dedicated to the spot where Guru Hargobind Ji stayed under a Talli tree.

5. Gurdwara Shri Marh Dhulanja, Uri”

6. Gurudwara Chevvin Patshahi, Nowshera near Jammu.

7. Gurudwara Chevvin Patshahi Rajouri.

8. Gurudwara Shah Ji Marg or Shaadi Marg Pulwama near Srinagar.

6 Nangali Sahib Gurdwara near Poonch.  

Now points made by unknown author of Brahmin Sikhs  (ABS)

Matter is by ABS. Wherever, I could get external links added link and excerpt.

1. The Sikhs of Brahmin origin existed from the time of Guru Nanak. 

Pandit Brahm Dass,  became a Nanakpanthi when Guru Nanak visited Kashmir in 1518. Daily Excelsior He aided Nanak’s mission in the Valley as a primary preacher in that region. Pt Dass met Nanak at Mattan near Anantnag. Source

The Gurdwara is part of the Surya Mandir complex.

Pandit Chattar Das became a devotee of Guru Nanak during his Banaras visit. 

2. There were two groups of Punjabi Saraswat Brahmins who adopted Sikh Pant in large numbers. One is Mohyals and second is Bujahia.

3. Sikhism had very strong roots in Kashmir region from the time of Guru Nanak because of his prominent disciples Pandit Brahm Dass and Pandit Kirpa Ram Dutt referred to above.

Another famous was Triloki Nath Raina from whose family the great Sikh preacher and scholar Akali Kaur Singh Nihang originated.

4. It will not be an exaggeration to claim that Brahmin Sikh preachers were on the forefront to spread the word of Sikhism. Some famous Brahmin Sikhs.

1. Sant Rocha Singh, a Brahmin – He got baptised into Khalsa by Guru Govind Singh and spread Guru’s teachings through Jammu and Kashmir. Daily Excelsior

2. Akali Kaur Singh Nihang (Raina) – He lived during the 19th century and came from a prominent native Raina clan of Kashmir. He was the main preacher who initiated the Afghan Sahajdhari community into Khalsa and played a leading role in uplifting of Kashmiri Sikhs.  He also produced many excellent scholarly works on Sikhism.  The book Afghan Hindus and Sikhs by Inderjeet Singh is said to have good information on subject.

3. Giani Pratap Singh, Jathedar Akal Takhat – Respected Giani Pratap Singh came from the “Sasan” clan of Brahmins. He was vice Jathedar Akal Takt from December 1937 to 1938 and assassinated in 1984. Wikipedia His parents were Makkhan Singh Sasan and Mata Mathura Devi A search shows they Sasans are Saraswat Brahmins

4. Giani Hardit Singh Reen (1923-2007, Gurmat Sangeet Teacher & Preacher) - The main preacher who brought local U.P Hindus into Sikh fold and was a teacher of Gurmat Sangeet to Giani Dyal Singh of Rakab Ganj Vidyala. Could not find any online reference of his being a Brahmin.  

5. Giani Hira Singh Dard (1889-1965) had a powerful presence in Punjabi poetry. According to Sikhiwikhi.org his great grandfather was Bir Singh Pandha (Upadhaya), who belonged to Poonch. Upadhaya means Brahmin.

6. Vidhata Singh Teer (1901-1972) was born to Sardar Hira Singh Punj in village Ghaghrot in district Rawalpindi. Vidhata Singh Teer took his early education from his maternal uncle Giani Hira Singh Dard. He wrote Punjabi Poetry on various subjects including religious, social and patriotic. His poetic works are Aniale Teer, Navein Nishane, Kaal Kookan, Mithe Meway, Gunge Geet, Dashmesh Darshan and Roop Rani Shakuntala etc.” Reference Surname Punj means Saraswat Brahmin.

Names of Modern day Brahmin Sikhs by ABS

1. Ravneet Singh Joshi - Path Legal, Chandigarh

2. Jagmohan Singh Raina – Kashmir, Twitter handle , All Party Sikh Coordination Committee Chairman

3. Parvinder Singh Bali – famous Chef. Read Here and Here

4. Jai Singh Chibber – Journalist, Chandigarh – Twitter handle and HT normal'> 

Why some Modern day Sikhs criticize Brahmins

I earlier wrote, “The hill chiefs realized the Guru was too strong for them so they requested Aurangzeb for help. The Mughal ruler ordered the subedars of Sirhind and Lahore to help the raja destroy the Khalsa. Together they laid a siege on Anandpur where Govind Singh lived. Unable to face the combined onslaught, Govind Singh evacuated the fort entrusting his mother, wife and two sons to a Brahmin servant Gangu Kaul. It is because this servant made their whereabouts known to the Mughals that the Sikhs are upset with the Hindus.” Is there any recorded evidence of betrayal by Gangu Kaul. 

The Contribution of Brahmins to Sikh Dharma is given above. Read and decide for yourself if Sikhs have reason to be upset with Brahmins.

Brahmin Sikhs have little say in current day Sikh affairs as SGPC is Jaat Sikh dominated. Why is beyond the scope of this article.  

Errors if any are unintended. As always, am happy to stand corrected. Would love to hear personal stories and insights. Love.

References and Also read

1. Brahmins Contribution to Sikhism Tribune Chandigarh by Sanjay Bumbroo

2. About Guru Tegh Bahadur by Dr Satish Kapoor

3. Why was GURU TEGH BAHADUR Beheaded

4. Indian Express article

5. Contribution of Brahmins to Indian Society

6. Sikhnet.com Contribution of Brahmins to Sikhism

7. Guru Hargovind Singh visits J&K

8. History and Culture of Indian People Volume 7

9. Why do Sindhis worship Guru Granth Sahib 

10. Wikipedia page on Brahmin Sikhs

11. Modern day Sikhism is a British construct.

12. Historical Dictionary of Sikhism by W H Mcleod.