Descriptions of the Dasam Granth
- GS Mann
ਸਤ
ਿਸਪਾਹੀ
,
ਅਪੈਲ
2008
www.santsipahi.org
Descriptions of the Dasam Granth from the “Sketch of theSikhs” in view of Sikh History
Gurinder Singh Mann*
In this paper we are going to look at the descriptions of the Dasam Granth or “Granth of the Tenth Master” from the 19
th
Century book entitled Sketch of theSikhs
1
written by Lt. Col. Malcolm. The Dasam Granth which was written by the tenthpreceptor, Guru Gobind Singh is something which in recent times has seen muchinterest and debate. The compositions within the Dasam Granth were written byGuru Gobind Singh between 1680 and 1705 in places like Anandpur and Paonta. TheGranth was recompiled by devotees including Bhai Mani Singh and Baba Deep Singhthe two scribes who were responsible for disseminating Sikh religion through theGuru Granth Sahib and the Dasam Granth and their theological centers of Sikhstudies
2
.There has been much interest in the Sikh religion from a western view point and wesee the earliest references to the faith as early as 1606
3
, these references shedimportant light on the lives, manners of the Sikhs as well imparting information froma political perspective as well. The religion of the Sikhs has by some commentatorsbeen described with a bias but some writers have been able to see the basic tenantsof the religion as espoused by the Sikh teachers or Sikh Gurus. The westernperspectives of the Sikhs have described by different people from Christian preachersthrough to travelers but most notably by military and political officers.The descriptions of the Dasam Granth by western writers has seen little attention bySikh scholars and as a result has left a void in the dissemination of how the DasamGranth was viewed by them. More importantly it begs the question as to why thismay be the case and the only explanation there seems to be is that the subject of the Dasam Granth is a difficult one. If this is the case then we should look at howvisitors to the state of Punjab viewed the Dasam Granth and what difficulties wereposed for them in deciphering the text. One visitor in the 19
th
Century by the nameof John Malcolm has done exactly that and is the basis of our discussion. JohnMalcom was a political officer of the British who was accompanying Lord Lake in1805 to broker a deal with the Sikhs to side against Jaswant Rao Holkar
4
. This also
Descriptions of the Dasam Granth
- GS Mann
ਸਤ
ਿਸਪਾਹੀ
,
ਅਪੈਲ
2008
www.santsipahi.org
gave the opportunity to Malcolm to write and understand the customs and religiousperceptions of the Sikhs
5
.The role of Malcom as testified by him was to get a better understanding of the Sikhsand he could only do this by looking at primary sources which to him was the GuruGranth Sahib and the Dasam Granth. He refers to the Granths as “the two mostsacred books of the Sikhs”
6
. He procured copies of historical tracts which were laterexplained to him by a Nirmala Sikh. The order of Nirmala Sikhs which means “without blemish” was created by Guru Gobind Singh himself to ensure that theSikhs had a higher order of learning. Tradition narrates that he sent five Sikhs toBenares a centre of Hindu learning in disguise. These Sikhs worked diligently forseveral years and returned to Anandpur. During their time in Benares they hadpicked up classical Indian theology and philosophy. At Anandpur these studentsformed into a branch of knowledge which would give discourses on Sikh thought
7
. Sopart of what Malcolm was being told was the exegesis of the Sikh scriptures by avery informed authority and the other was a first hand account of the rituals,practices of the Sikhs.The descriptions of the Dasam Granth within the Sketch, are highly detailed, andgive us accounts which fit in with other practices taking place in the Punjab whichwas being ruled by Maharaja Ranjit Singh
8
. It is also important to see what kind of importance if any was being accorded to the Dasam Granth by the Maharaja tocorroborate if Malcolm’s account holds any validity. Even more importantly is to seehow Malcolm refers to the Akali Nihangs, the vanguard of Sikh defence createdduring the times of Guru Hargobind
9
but refined under the leadership of Guru GobindSingh. The interactions of Ranjit Singh, the Akali Nihangs and what Malcolm,witnessed sets the scene of what he wrote at the turn of the 1800’s.The status of the Dasam Granth is the first area we need to concern ourselves withand according to Malcolm the Dasam Granth is part of the Sikh scriptures and that itwas written by Guru Gobind Singh himself. He states,Dasama Padshah Ka Gran'th
10
, or book of the tenth King, which waswritten by Guru Govind, is considered in every respect, as holy as the AdiGranth of Nanac, and his immediate successors
11
.
Descriptions of the Dasam Granth
- GS Mann
ਸਤ
ਿਸਪਾਹੀ
,
ਅਪੈਲ
2008
www.santsipahi.org
He further describes the purpose of the Guru writing the Dasam Granth,Guru Govind inculcated his tenets upon his followers by preaching hisactions, and his works; among which is the Dasama Padshah ka Granth, orthe book of the tenth king or ruler; Guru Govind being the tenth leader of thesect from Nanac. This volume which is not limited to religious subjects, butfilled with accounts of his own battles, and written with the view of stirring upa spirit of valour and emulation among his followers, is at least as muchrevered among the Sikhs, as the Adi-Granth of Arjunmal
12
.We can infer from this that Malcolm explains that the Granth is composed of religiousand other discourses. The interpretation of the Granth in the context of battle isclearly seen by Malcolm. It is because Malcolm is a political officer and hasknowledge of the army that he sees the importance of Dasam Granth as a battletext. The purpose of the Granth is indeed to stir up this valor amongst his followers.His account concurs with that of 18
th
Century writers who interpret the DasamGranth in the context of battle
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. The significance of Guru Gobind Singh’s battles alsoadds to the stirring energy that the Granth represents
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. The respect and venerationthat the Granth receives equals that of the Adi Granth. The recitation of the DasamGranth should take place twice daily together with the Guru Granth Sahib
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. Withregards to the initiation process to the Khalsa the, “first chapters of the Adi-Granth,and the first chapters of the Dasama Padshah ka Granth, are read”
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. The contentsare also important to Malcolm and he states the following,The Dasama Padshah ka Granth of Guru Govind appears from theextracts which I have seen of it, to abound in fine passages. Its author hasborrowed from the Sastras of the Brahmens and the Koran. He praises Nanacas a holy saint, accepted of God; and grounds his faith, like that of hispredecessors, upon the adoration of one God; whose power and attributes hehowever describes by so many Sanscrit names, and with such constantallusions to the Hindu mythology, that it appears often difficult to separate hispurer belief from their gross idolatry
17
.
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Descriptions of the Dasam Granth From the Sketch of the Sikhs in View of Sikh History
Descriptions of Sri Dasam Granth from the Sketch of the Sikhs in view of Sikh history.
Historian Gurinder Singh Mann, Leicester UK, explains in detail how the maryada of Sri Dasam Granth toook place at the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The essay looks at how the Nihangs and other viewed the Sri Dasam Granth.
Historian Gurinder Singh Mann, Leicester UK, explains in detail how the maryada of Sri Dasam Granth toook place at the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The essay looks at how the Nihangs and other viewed the Sri Dasam Granth.
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