Bhai Jhanda

Bhai Jhanda, (1580 - 1661), a prominent Sikh of Guru Har Rai's time, was a grandson of Bhai Bhana, the youngest son of the venerable Bhai Buddha. He was born to Bhai Bhana's younger son, Sarvan and his wife Aiyari, in 1580. At the age of 16, he was married to Bibi Sulakkhani.

During the lifetime of his grandfather, Bhai Jhanda displayed an interest in managing the family estate which he extended considerably. It is said that he had the control of twenty five villages, the land revenue of which accrued to him. He also had a jagir given him by Emperor Shah Jahan.

Bhai Jhanda became a wealthy and influential man, yet he maintained his reputation as a pious and humble Sikh of the Guru. He made frequent visits to Amritsar and, later to Kiratpur to wait upon him. When his father, Bhai Sarvan, joined Guru Hargobind's train, he summoned his son to Kiratpur.

Bhai Jhanda devoted himself wholeheartedly to the service of the Guru and his Sikhs, who came from far and near to see him. He brought firewood from the forests for the Guru ka Langar. He was especially known for his spirit of humility and obedience.

It is recorded by a contemporary chronicler, Zulfiqar Ardistam, the author of Dabistani Mazdhib, that once Guru Hargobind, while having a stroll in the garden at Kiratpur, told Bhai Jhanda to stand and wait for him at the entrance. The Guru after some time left through another exit. Jhanda, in the absence of any further instructions, kept standing at the gardengate until the Guru, informed on the fourth day of what had happened, recalled him.

After his father's death in 1651, Bhai Jhanda took his place in the Guru's train. He himself died at his village, Jhanda Ramdas, in early 1661. It is said that Guru Har Rai himself attended his funeral and appointed his son, Bhai Gurditta, to take his place at Kiratpur.

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