Freed

Royal A sketch of Sardarni Sada Kaur - mother in law of Maharaja Ranjit Singh - said to be the 'Ladder' by which Ranjit Singh climbed to power. By Keher Singh (Coll. Central Sikh Mus. Amritsar) Giani Gurmukh Singh - described as 'Head Granthi' of Maharaja Ranjit Singh - by Kehar Singh - (Cen Sikh Mus Amritsar )

Nihang Singhs a portrait of 'Ajaib Singh Nihang' - said to be 100 years old - by Keher Singh mid 19th cent. a Nihang and Nihangni - An Akali Sikh - by Kapur Singh mid 19th cent. A great study - note the 'backwards' flowing 'farla' - and the battle scars - missing teeth, the withered arm and the crutch as well as the ripped clothing - he has obviously seen some 'action' ! also note he is carrying all his possessions on his back and they are tied along with his shaster with woven string - a practice you still see today - see photograph below - does anyone know the 'secret' of tying those 'knots' - I got that little kirpan in Anandpur - but I still can't work out the knot - even though I watched the Nihang Singh tie it in front of me ! - any tips very welcome !

Wandering 'Jogis' - 'Allah Ditta' (playing sarangi) and 'Ghulam Ali' ( on Ik tara) - 'Bawa Farid de Cheley' - disciples of Baba Farid - by Kehar Singh

Artisans A collection of drawings of Punjabi Artisans - I love these depictions and choice of subject. A 'Tarkhan' - a Carpenter at work - by Keher Singh, Mid 19th Century ( Collection of Govt. Museum and Art Gallery. Chandigarh) 'Dyal Singh' - Comb Maker - By Kapur Singh - Mid 19th Century ( Govt. Mus. Chandigarh ) A 'Ghumiar' - Potter - 'Nanak Ghumiar' A 'Chimba' - 'block printer' 'Roghan Kash' - an 'oil presser' - pressing Alsi, KhasKhas and Saron ( Linseed, poppy and mustard seeds) A thread maker A 'Die Stamper' (?) - note the beard is protected with a cloth A 'Mochi' - cobbler A 'julaha' - a weaver and weaveress 'Bhago' Women cooking in a 'Tandoor' oven - Kehar Singh

Gurfateh ! Here is a collection of Drawings (Tinted brush drawings on paper) by Kehar Singh and Kapur Singh , painters who received the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Houses of Patiala and Kapurthala in the 19th century - they along with their descendents were honoured as "Fakhr-e-Caum' (pride of the nation) for their outstanding work particularly for their embellishment of Siri Darbar Sahib. Their paintings tended to have Sikh Themes - both religious and secular - I have have grouped them into 4 threads - 'Royal', 'Nihangs' 'Artisans' and 'Kuka Singh'. A Self Portrait of Keher Singh Kapur Singh The Pictures come from; Punjab Painting - R P Srivastava - Abhinav 1983 Marg - Vol 54 No. 4 June 2003 The Sikhs - T S Randhawa - Prakash - 2000 I See No Stranger - B N Goswamy Caron Smith - RMA Mapin - 2006 Hope you enjoy the pictures. Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Gurfateh ! I was going through some old videos and found this - it's from the outstanding BBC TV geneaology show 'Who Do You Think You Are?' - where UK celebrities trace their families and ancestors. In this episode Meera Syal - from 'Goodness Gracious Me' and 'The Kumars ....' traces her family roots - Her Mother is Sikh and her Father a Punjabi Hindu. Her father's father was Tek Chand Syal a noted Journalist and Communist , Her Mother's father was Phuman Singh Uppal who took part in the Jaito Morcha. The film is fascinating - whether you are interested in Sikh History, Punjabi History or punjabi Village history - it's all covered here. Meera goes to her father's ancestral home in Lassara (Dist Jalandhar) - you see her inspect a 'Fard' or the records that show property rights in a village and she then goes to Hardwar to see the Ancestral Records kept there - you see the old 'Vehi' or roll of family records. She also visits her mother's village Bassian (Dist Ludhiana) and visits Jaito Gurdwara . She then goes to Amritsar and finds records noting Phuman Singh's role in the Jaito Morcha in the Sikh Reference Library Amritsar. There is great archive footage and photographs and some really poignant pictures of the Shaheeds of the Morcha. It's all great stuff - well worth a look "Who Do You Think You Are ?" - first shown BBC 2 UK in 2004 Link : http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=...57&hl=en-GB Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Gurfateh ! I just thought some may take this comment ; "Those looking for 'controversial' or 'divisive' areas will find none - the rehat is 'acceptable' to all Gursikh 'jathas' and groups." as an excuse to bring in the AKJ and the old 'Keski' arguement - this can be solved by point 26 (੨੬ ੳ ) which states " Singh Singhni Kesan naal Kesgi neeli zaroor rakhey" - which , at least in my eyes (as Kesgi and keski are pretty much the same thing) means the Rehat is acceptable to all Gursikh 'jathas'/'groups' can we have less petty squabbling now ?

Gurfateh ! Shall we get back to the original question and stop the mudslinging ? Here is the "Gursikhan di Puratan Maryada" from the Buddha Dal 'Khalsa Sunder Gutka' (apologies for the quality of the scans - I did them in a hurry a while ago ) Those looking for 'controversial' or 'divisive' areas will find none - the rehat is 'acceptable' to all Gursikh 'jathas' and groups. My Benti to all is that we all try to live by these 'Asools' and 'Niyams' (rules and directives) especially point 32 - "Sikh - Sikh te Vaar na Karey " Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh ! * taken from 'Khalsa Sunder Gutka' - Published by Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Santa Singh ji, Shromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal, Panjvan Takht Chalda Vaheer - Punjab (Hindustan) - (available from CSJS Amritsar)

* taken from Sikhs of the Khalsa, a History of the Khalsa Rahit - W H McLeod - Oxford - 2003 - pg 325 - 329 ***Important NOTE the numbering in the Mcleod translation refers to the version of the Khalsa Mehma in 'Rehatnamey' - Piara Singh Padam 2000 - pg 147- 149 which differs slightly from the Buddha Dal Version in terms of spelling, numbering and content. The Parkash of Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib, Siri Dasm Granth Sahib and Siri Sarb Loh Granth Sahib by the Dal Panth. I hope that helps in some way 'birr rass' Ji . Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh !! A complete English translation of Sri Sarb Loh Granth Sahib is not available - the only readily available translation is of the "Khalsa Mehma" part of the Sarb Loh Granth Sahib that is in Praise of the Khalsa - it includes the 'Lineage' of the Khalsa and sings the 'highest praise' of the Khalsa, there is also what could be argued as a mini 'rehatnama'. The popular shabad - sung at Vaisakhi - 'Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khas' - forms part of the 'Khalsa Mehma'. The 'Trai Mudra' of 'Kacch Kirpan Kes' is also mentioned in the Khalsa Mehma. Tradition states that Guru Gobind Singh wrote this Granth in 1698 - though many argue against this , Tara Singh Narotam argues it is an 18th century work written by Sukha Singh of Patna Sahib. The Nihang Dals are the custodians of the Sarb Loh Granth and regard it as the 'Mukh Vaak' - Bani of Guru Sahib and maintain 'Prakash' alongside Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Siri Dasm Granth Sahib. I have posted the complete 'Khalsa Mehma' from the Buddha Dal Steek and an English translation by Mcleod. * taken from Sampooran Steek Sri Sarabloh Granth Sahib Ji - Siri Mangala Charan Ji - Siri Mukh Vaak Patshahi 10 -- Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh Ji Jathedar Chhianven Crori - 2000 Vol. 2 pg495 - 497 and Vol. 2 pg 529 - 533 ***Post continues >>>

Gurfateh ! ਜੁਗੋ ਜੁਗ ਅਟਲ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦਾ ਸਚ ਖੰਡ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਹੋਇਆ ਅਜ ਦਾ ਫੁਰਮਾਣ Jugo Jug Atal Satguru Siri Guru Granth Sahib Da Sach Khand Siri Harimandir Sahib Vike Hoya Aj Da Furman Have you ever wondered who writes the Amrit Vela 'Hukumnama' that is displayed in the parkarma of Siri Harimandir Sahib and also shown on Alpha etc Punjabi TV ? Well wonder no more here is a picture of the Bhai Sahib with the beautiful handwriting ; The complete Hukumnama / Furman Guru Arjan Sahib - Ang 717 ਟੋਡੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ todee mehlaa 5. Todee, Fifth Mehl: ਮਾਈ ਚਰਨ ਗੁਰ ਮੀਠੇ ॥ maa-ee charan gur meethay. O mother, the Guru's feet are so sweet. ਵਡੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਦੇਵੈ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਕੋਟਿ ਫਲਾ ਦਰਸਨ ਗੁਰ ਡੀਠੇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ vadai bhaag dayvai parmaysar kot falaa darsan gur deethay. rahaa-o. By great good fortune, the Transcendent Lord has blessed me with them. Millions of rewards come from the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan. ||Pause|| ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਤ ਅਚੁਤ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਮਦ ਢੀਠੇ ॥ gun gaavat achut abhinaasee kaam kroDh binsay mad dheethay. Singing the Glorious Praises of the imperishable, indestructible Lord, sexual desire, anger and stubborn pride vanish. ਅਸਥਿਰ ਭਏ ਸਾਚ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਬਾਹੁਰਿ ਨਹੀ ਪੀਠੇ ॥੧॥ asthir bha-ay saach rang raatay janam maran baahur nahee peethay. ||1|| Those who are imbued with the Love of the True Lord become permanent and eternal; birth and death do not grind them down any more. ||1|| ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਰੰਗ ਰਸ ਜੇਤੇ ਸੰਤ ਦਇਆਲ ਜਾਨੇ ਸਭਿ ਝੂਠੇ ॥ bin har bhajan rang ras jaytay sant da-i-aal jaanay sabh jhoothay. Without the Lord's meditation, all joys and pleasures are totally false and worthless; by the Kind Mercy of the Saints, I know this. ਨਾਮ ਰਤਨੁ ਪਾਇਓ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਨ ਚਲੇ ਸਭਿ ਮੂਠੇ ॥੨॥੮॥੨੭॥ naam ratan paa-i-o jan naanak naam bihoon chalay sabh moothay. ||2||8||27|| Servant Nanak has found the jewel of the Naam; without the Naam, all must depart, cheated and plundered. ||2||8||27||

My Favourite images - adorable intergenerational shots 'Baba and Poti' 'Father and Son' and finally no 'Mela' is complete without JALEBEEAN ! Hope you enjoyed the pictures GurFateh Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Vaheguru ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh !! Lakh Lakh Vadhaai to all the Cyber Sangatan on this 308th Vaisakhi !! May Guru Sahib shower you all with Love and Blessings To celebrate Vaisakhi and the continued "Guru Khalsa Ji Ke Bol Baale" here are some images from Hola Maholla , Anandpur Sahib, March 2007 Enjoy the pictures ! **Photographs - Amit Bhargava - March 2007**

Gur Sakhian, written by Bhai Mani Singh Ji Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvi - Bhai Sukha Singh - 18th Century Asv Medth Granth (Vedic Philosphies) - 18th Century The Prem Sumarg Granth - from Patwant Singh's - 'Gurdwaras' The Hukumnama sent by Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib - a 'Hukum Khas Furman' - to the sangat of Patna at the time of the Prakash , birth of Guru Gobind Singh - expressing their Joy and hope the sangat will contine to assist and help Guru Sahib's family at this special time. This Hukumnama is Kept at Takht Patna Sahib. The childhood 'Chola' of Guru Gobind Singh - kept at Takht Patna Sahib The 'Nisan' of Guru Gobind Singh - in a puratan Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib - Takht Patna Sahib A hand written copy of the 'Hanuman Natak' - it is said the manuscript copy of Hriday Ram's Hanuman Natak was gifted to Guru Gobind Singh by Bahadar Shah Entry for 'hanuman natak' in Mahan Kosh Mahan Kosh Encyclopedia ਸੰ. हनमन्नाटक ਹਨੁਮੱਨਾਟਕ. ਸੰਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਕਾਵ੍ਯ, ਜੋ ਰਾਮਚੰਦ੍ਰ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਅਖਾੜੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਖੇਡਕੇ ਦਿਖਾਉਣ ਯੋਗ ਹੈ. ਇਹ ਵਿਦ੍ਵਾਨ ਹਨੁਮਾਨ ਦੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਹੈ. ਕਈ ਕਵੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਵਾਲਮੀਕਿ ਦੇ ਕਹਿਣ ਤੇ ਹਨੁਮਾਨ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਟਕ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁੱਟ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਸੀ ਤਾਂਕਿ ਵਾਲਮੀਕ ਰਾਮਾਇਣ ਦੀ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਨਾ ਘਟੇ. ਰਾਜੇ ਭੋਜ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਮੋਤੀ ਕੱਢਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਡਬੋਲੀਏ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਸਿਲਾ ਹੱਥ ਲੱਗੀ, ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਪੇਸ਼ ਹੋਣ ਪੁਰ ਰਾਜੇ ਨੇ ਓਥੋਂ ਪੱਥਰਾਂ ਪੁਰ ਉੱਕਰਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਨਾਟਕ ਕਢਵਾਇਆ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲੇ ਉਹ ਦਾਮੋਦਰ ਮਿਸ੍ਰ ਨੇ ਬਣਾਕੇ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਪੂਰਣ ਕੀਤਾ. ਇਸ ਦਾ ਹਿੰਦੀ ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਭੱਲਾ ਕੁਲ ਦੇ ਰਤਨ ਕਵਿ ਹ੍ਰਿਦਯਰਾਮ ਨੇ ਬਾਦਸ਼ਾਹ ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ. ਯਥਾ- ਸੰਮਤ ਬਿਕ੍ਰਮ ਨ੍ਰਿਪਤਿ ਸਹਸ ਖਟ ਸ਼ਤ ਅਸੀਹ¹ ਵਰ, ਚੈਤ੍ਰ ਚਾਂਦਨੀ ਦੂਜ ਛਤ੍ਰ ਜਹਁਗੀਰ ਸੁਭਟ ਪਰ, ਸ਼ੁਭ ਲੱਛਨ ਦੱਛਨ ਸੁਦੇਸ਼ ਕਵਿ ਰਾਮ ਵਿਚੱਛਨ, ਕ੍ਰਿਸ੍ਨ2ਦਾਸ ਤਨੁ ਕੁਲ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ ਯਸ਼ ਦੀਪਕ ਰੱਛਨ, ਰਘੁਪਤਿ ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਤਿਨ ਯਥਾਮਤਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਕਰ੍ਯੋ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਲਗਨ ਗਣ, ਦੇ ਭਕ੍ਤਿ ਦਾਨ ਨਿਰਭਯ ਕਰੋ, ਜਯ ਰਘੁਪਤਿ ਰਘੁਵੰਸ਼ ਮਣਿ. ਇਸ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਈ ਕਬਿੱਤ ਕਾਸ਼ੀ ਰਾਮ ਕਵੀ ਦੇ ਭੀ ਹਨ.² ¹ਸਾਲ ਵਿਕ੍ਰਮੀ ੧੬੮੦. ²ਬਹੁਤ ਕਵੀ ਆਖਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਬਹਾਦੁਰਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੇ ਹ੍ਰਿਦਯਰਾਮ ਦੀ ਲਿਖੀ ਅਸਲ ਕਾਪੀ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਭੇਟਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨੇ ਪੁਰਸ਼ੁਰਾਮ ਦੇ ਸੰਬਾਦ ਦੇ ਕੁਝ ਛੰਦ ਕਵਿ ਕਾਂਸ਼ੀਰਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਲਿਖਵਾਕੇ ਦਰਜ ਕਰਵਾਏ. Once again sorry for the HUGE post - but you must agree the pictures are amazing - hope you enjoyed the 'Darshan' GurFateh ! Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

These next images are from a Sikh student event held in Ontario Canada - a dispaly of Puratan Beerhs and Pothian An eighteenth century beerh of Siri Dasm Granth Sahib siri Dasam Granth Pothi A Gutka of Dasam Bani Sri Sarb Loh Granth

A folio from the 'Zafarnama' - dated AD 1872 - in the Patiala Archives -in its original Persian script it is believed to be illuminated and written by Rajaram Tota, a courtier of Maharaja Ranjit Singh These Photographs show the puratan beerh in the collection of the 'Holy Bones' Gurudwara Leicester UK - kept in their museum

These next images are from Dr Daljeet's 'The Sikh Heritage' - they are folios from a beerh of the Dasm Granth in the collection of the National Museum , New Delhi dating from AD 1860-70

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh !! I received a request to post any images I had of Puratan hand written 'beerhs' of Sri Dasm Granth Sahib and other Bani of Guru Gobind Singh Ji - so as promised here is my collection - some images are from books but most have been collected from the internet - I do not have information about some images, some images are from sites whose names I no longer remember, please accept my apologies. I have also included other 'Hath Likht' writings associated with Guru Gobind Singh, and some examples of Hukumnamas and 'nisans' I hope this post is not too long - and you enjoy the 'Darshan' of these beautiful hand written 'Beers' A Puratan Beerh of Sri Dasm Granth - kept at the Historic Bhai Daya Singh Gurdwara, Aurangabad, Maharashtra. It is said to have been written by Bhai Daya Singh and has the 'Zafarnama' written in its original Persian script. It is approximately 300 years old Bhai Daya Singh Beerh - Aurangabad - From Piara Singh Padam's 'Dasm Granth Darshan' here are some photographs , unfortunately not very clear. The first page of a beerh of Dasm Granth that was kept in the Sikh Reference Library Amritsar - dated 1765 AD The last page Vaar Durga Ki 'Chiritro Pakhyaan' - from the Anandpuri Beer 'Sudhaai' - or additions and corrections by the hand of Guru Gobind Singh Ji The first page of the Dasm Granth in the British Library

Opening Ceremony of the Victoria Gurdwara Victoria Gurdwara 1924 Stockton, California. Gurdwara Fraser Mills - British Columbia - 'Phulkari' and Skirt combination - only in Canada! One from Scotland UK - Glasgow 1957 Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Had a bad day ? was the boss on your back all day? working on that powerpoint presentation that has to be given tommorow morning ? Trying to look busy and keen - because the big boss is in today ? maybe you're a student with missed deadlines looking for an extentsion - or frantically writing your dissertation /Thesis or maybe you're preparing for finals? Aww poor diddums ! Get a grip people ! Stop feeling sorry for yourselves - sitting on your bottom all day, in your comfortable air conditioned office - tapping on your computer. You don't know you're Born ! - Think of all the sacrifices your parents and forebears made so you could enjoy your pampered 'Suit Boot' lifestyle sipping coffee and wondering if you should have that extra pastry or wait and have a major blowout at your 'expenses paid' Lunch - They worked double shifts in Dirty sweaty Foundries and Lumber Mills so you could complain ? OK OK I'm only joking - I'll get off my High Horse - Seriously though how many of us recognise the hardships the 'Pioneers' went through ? Here's a collection of fascinating photograhs documenting the 'Pioneer' struggle - a circle that continues today - with each new arrival - be they Punjabi , Polish , African or Afghan. The first arrivals - vancouver 1905/6 1907 British Columbia The Saw Mills - 'There every time' - the immigrant work ethic Gurdit Singh on the Komagata Maru 1914 Vancouver Labourers early 1900s Multi-Skilled - Ex Decorated Soldiers, Dhadees and Saw Mill Workers A Funeral in the woods

Gurfateh ! Here is the Kabitt with 'arth' from a Steek of Bhai Gurdas' Kabitt Savaiye (From 'Kabitt Savaiye - Bhai Gurdas Ji - Steek ' Bhai Sewa Singh - Singh Bros. 2003 edition - page 156) Hope that helps in some way