Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha

Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha(ਭਾਈ ਕਾਨ੍ਹ ਸਿਂਘ ਨਾਭਾ )(August 30, 1861- November 24, 1938) was a Sikh scholar and encyclopedist, born in a Dhillon Jatt family at the village of Sabaz Banera, in what then used to be the territory of the princely ruler of patiala. His father was Narain Singh and mother Har Kaur. Narain Singh was a man of saintly character and he succeeded to the charge of Gurdwara Dera Baba Ajaypal Singh at Nabha, after the death of his grandfather Sarup Singh in 1861. Kahn Singh was the eldest of three brothers(the other two being Bhai Meehan singh and Bhai Bishan singh) and one sister(Bibi Kahn kaur). He did not attend any school or college for formal education, yet he mastered several branches of learning by his own effort. He even had the knowledge of using the most complicated weapons.In 1885 at Nabha, Mr.Macauliffe, the famous historian met him and took his help in studying Gurbani and sikh-history for his book "The Sikh Relegion".

His books "Gurmat Prabhakar" and "Gurmat Sudhakar" are the standard guide books for understanding Sikhism. His work "Gurshabd Ratankar" (known as the Sikh encyclopedia) is his magnum opus.He published magazine"Khalsa Gazzete" and is also regarded as one of the founders of the weekly newspaper"Khalsa Akhbaar(Khalsa Newspaper)". Some of his famous works which are believed to be have accomplished between the years 1882 and 1911 are as follows:-

• Raj Dharam- This book was his first one and was written at a time when he was serving with Maharaja Hira singh.This

  was published and distributed on government expense.

• Hum Hindu Nahin(We are not Hindus)- This was Bhai Kahn singh's third book and was published around 1887. In this book he stressed upon the

  unique identity of the sikhs separate from the Hindu religion. Initially in Hindi, it was later translated

  into Punjabi language.

• Gurmat Prabhakar- This book was published in the year 1898. Studded with beautiful examples from Sri Guru Granth

  Sahib, this book condemns the superstitions prevailing in the Indian society. Difficult words have been

  been made simpler through special commentaries at different places in the book.

• Gurmat Sudhakar- Published in 1899, this book contains evidences from Dasam granth, Works of Bhai Gurdas, Janam

  sakhi Guru Nanak, Gurbilas, Guru Nanak prakash, Suraj prakash, Panth prakash, Sau sakhi(Guru ratan

  mala), Rehatnama etc. supporting the various practices and beliefs of Sikhism.

• Sad Parmarth
• Gurchhand Diwakar
• Gur Shabdalankar
• Roop deep pingal
• Gur Shabad Ratnakar mahan kosh( encyclopaedia of Sikh literature)- Started in 1912, this beautiful masterpiece was accomplished in 1926 after 14 yaers of research and

  painstaking effort and finally published by the princely state of Patiala. The state spent Rs.51,000 on

  its publishing. This 3338-paged book was divided into four volumes and was priced at Rs.110. It still

  serves as one of the most reliable reference material for research on sikh faith and beliefs.

• Gurmat Martand
• Gur mahima sangraha- This book contained the biographies and important works reflecting the sikh thought of some of the most

  famous Punjabi and Hindi poets. It is considered as a very important Historical document and still remains

  unpublished.

• Anekarthak Kosh
• Naam mala kosh

ee also

Nabha
Sikhism
Sri Guru Granth Sahib

External links

* [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/personalities/literature/kahn.html Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha]
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041121/spectrum/main3.htm Punjabi’s pioneering encyclopaedist] - on The Sunday Tribune, India.
* [http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/heritage/Maharajas%20of%20Punjab/Nabha/nabha.htm Nabha]