Introduction to Guru Sahib's Scribes, Clerks, Secretaries...
Apart from Guru Sahib’s Patronage to Authors, Poets, and Scholars... Maharaj also had Scribes responsible for physically writing the texts, proofreading, making copies, publishing, among other writing related tasks. Some of their tasks include: handwriting Aadh[i] Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj’s Saroops, handwriting Gutka Sahibs/Pothis, scribing Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj’s Bani, scribing Maharaj’s Hukamnamas, and clerical work associated with Maharaj’s Correspondence [written communication]. Anandpur Sahib’s Clerical/Secretarial Work was quite busy as dozens of letters were being sent from Anandpur Sahib to places far & wide. At the same time, the scribes were beautifully formatting the Kavis’ Poetry [calligraphy, binding, ink type, among other aspects].
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At that time, there wasn’t technology such as [laser printers] or even typewriters. There were only penmen. They spent day and night maintaining these responsibilities. They prepared a special type of ink. They learned to write in a way which would avoid staining the margins of the paper and learned to write in specific fonts, using red ink for headings, proofreading by physically removing the wrong characters on a folio and writing over the correction. This type of work demands a lot of practice. The average person is unaware of the techniques required to write in this extremely detailed manner and would not be able to maintain the responsibilities of such a role.
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The tradition of keeping scribes started from Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj. Bhai Mansukh, Bhai Shiha Chhimba [Sheehaa[n] Chheembaa], Bhai Hassu Lohar [Hasoo Luhaar], Bhai Saido Ghayo [Saidho Ghaeo[u]], Bhai Bhagirath [Bhageerathh], among others scribed Gurbani for Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj. Bhai Pairraa Mokhaa scribed for Dhan Dhan Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj. Dhan Dhan Guru Amardas Sahib Ji Maharaj’s Grandchildren scribed for them. Dhan Dhan Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji Maharaj scribed Gurbani themselves as well. Their Handwritten Sri Jap[u]ji Sahib was copied by Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji. Bhai Hareeaa, Bhai Sukhaa, Bhai Sant Raam, and Bhai Mansaa Raam were the 4 scribes of Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji who scribed Gurbani. They were supervised under the watch of Bhai Gurdas Ji. Bhai Gurdas Ji also reference Bhai Paandhhaa[n] and Bhai Boolaa in their Vaaran:
ਪਾਂਧਾ ਬੂਲਾ ਜਾਣੀਐ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਗਾਇਣੁ ਲੇਖਾਰੀ ।
Paa[n]dhhaa Boolaa JaaNeeai GurbaaNee Gaae[i]N Laekhaaree
(11th Vaar, 16th Paurree… Sangat from Dalla)
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Outside of Their Own GurBani, Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj had a lot of literature written to spread Sikhi and had a lot of South Asian literature written down in Gurmukhi script. With these many publications, it demanded the need for many scribes. Historically, there are 36 Likhaari’s (Scribes) which Guru Sahib kept at Anandpur Sahib. Guru Sahib had 4 scribes which they kept particularly close to them and they prepared beautifully written folios of Maharaj’s Divine Poetry. [At the time Piara Singh Padam wrote this granth, they write that they had just found a handwritten saroop from Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji’s Time which had the signatures of Bhai Nihala [Nihaalaa], Bhai Bala [Bala], Bhai Haridas [Haridhaas], Bhai Darbaari [Dharbaree] Singh Chhotaa, among others within them.
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We do not have enough information for all 36 scribes but we will present brief information about the scribes which we do know of.
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We will be sharing posts about the Likhari's as well. This will be labelled as "Likhari's:..." Please forgive and mistakes. Suggest corrections to our IG Inbox @SikhTranslations
