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Dhir Mal

Dhir Mal (10 January 1627 – 16 November 1677), also spelt as Dhirmal, was a Sikh sectoral religious leader who was the son of Baba Gurditta and Mata Natti and grandson of Guru Hargobind, making him the nephew of Guru Tegh Bahadur and uncle of Guru Gobind Singh.[1][2][3] He attempted to assassinate Guru Tegh Bahadur in his bid for the Sikh guruship.[4] His Sodhi descendants remain in Kartatpur in Jalandhar district, where they claimed to possess the original codex/manuscript of the Ād Granth, known as the Kartarpuri Bir.[2]

Biography

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Dhir Mal, a Sodhi Khatri,[4] was born in Kartarpur (Jalandhar district) on 10 January 1627 and was said to have possessed a stubborn disposition as a child.[2][3] Dhir Mal had accompanied his father and mother, who paid a visit to Budhan Shah, with a son named Har Rai being born to the couple after, who was the brother of Dhir Mal.[5] When Guru Hargobind moved his family to Kiratpur, Dhir Mal remained behind in Kartarpur to take control of the estate, along with the original manuscript/codex of the Ād Granth.[2][3] Dhir Mal had installed himself as a religious leader in Jalandhar, rivalling the mainstream lineage of the Sikh gurus, with Dhir Mal forming an alliance with the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.[6] Dhir Mal assisted the Pathan general Painde Khan against the Sikhs at the Battle of Kartarpur in 1634.[7] Dhir Mal stole the original codex of the Ād Granth that had been compiled by Guru Arjan and Bhai Gurdas from the house of Guru Hargobind.[8][9] After the death of his father, Gurditta, the Sikh guru requested that Dhir Mal, residing at Kartarpur, to come to Kiratpur and bring the codex so a prayer could be conducted for his late father using it and for Dhir Mal to be physically present so he could receive his father's turban, which was a mark of succession to his father's property and position. However, Dhir Mal refused the invitation and did not come.[5][2] In 1643, Dhir Mal received a revenue-free grant from the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who was aiming to create fractures in the Sikh community.[10]

Guru Hargobind lost his eldest son Baba Gurditta in 1638. Shah Jahan attempted political means to undermine the Sikh tradition by dividing and influencing the succession.[11] The Mughal ruler gave land grants to Gurditta's eldest son Dhir Mal, living in Kartarpur, and attempted to encourage Sikhs to recognise Dhir Mal as the rightful successor to Hargobind. Dhir Mal issued statements in favour of the Mughal state and critical of his grandfather. Hargobind died at Kiratpur, Rupnagar, Punjab, on 28 February 1644. Before his death, he rejected his eldest grandson Dhir Mal's politics and nominated Guru Har Rai (Dhir Mal's younger brother) instead to succeed him as the Guru.[11] In-response to the elevation of Har Rai to the guruship, Dhir Mal established a rival guruship at Kartarpur and established his own masands to collect dasvandh donations.[2] Dhir Mal taunted the mainstream Sikh lineage by claiming to have the original Ād Granth, the Kartarpuri Bir.[6][1] Many of the Sikhs who became aligned with Dhir Mal, leaving the orthodox lineage, were from the Kartarpur region.[10] He used the fact that he possessed the original codex to prop-up his sect.[1][3][10] Dhir Mal befriended Ram Rai, the ex-communicated son of Har Rai. Dhir Mal and Ram Rai launched a joint complaint at the court of Aurangzeb over the choosing of Har Krishan, younger brother of Ram Rai, as the next guru to succeed Har Rai.[2]

After the death of Guru Har Krishan at Delhi in March 1664, Dhir Mal attempted to sway the Sikhs into joining his sect with him as the new guru by establishing a court for himself at Baba Bakala, one of twenty-two major claimants to the Sikh guruship.[1][2] After Guru Tegh Bahadur had been identified as the new guru by Lakhi Shah and Diwan Dargah Mal at Bakala, most claimants gave-up but Dhir Mal remained firm in his conviction to establish himself as the Sikh guru.[1] Dhir Mal had one of his masands named Shihan to hire mercenaries to assassinate Guru Tegh Bahadur.[1][2] During the ensuing attack, Dhir Mal himself (other sources state Shihan fired the bullet[2]) shot at Guru Tegh Bahadur with a gun, who was injured but survived.[1][2] In-response to the attack, the mainstream Sikhs, led by Makhan Shah,[2][3] launched a revenge raid on Dhir Mal and his followers at their base, with them capturing the Kartarpuri Bir, Dhir Mal's personal possessions, and the offerings. When the Sikhs brought the loot back to Guru Tegh Bahadur, he commanded them to forgive Dhir Mal and return the looted property, including the Kartarpuri Bir, back to the Dhirmalias, with this being recorded in Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvin by Sukha Singh and in the works of Kavi Santokh Singh.[1][8][2][3] The guru believed that he had no need to keep the original codex of the Ād Granth as per Sikh beliefs, the true Shabad resides in the current guru.[1] Guru Tegh Bahadur may have been motivated to retreat to the Shivalik Hills due to the opposition he faced from Dhir Mal and his followers.[10]

Several months after the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur by the Mughal administration, Dhir Mal was called to Delhi and imprisoned at Ranthambore Fort, where he died on 16 November 1677.[2] A shrine at Kartarpur dedicated to him is known as Dera Dhir Mal.[2] Dera Guru Bhadbhag Singh Sodhi Ji claims that Dhir Mal had two sons, named Bahar Singh Sodhi (b. 1692) and Ram Singh Sodhi.[12]

The Damdami Taksal claims that Guru Gobind Singh instructed Deep Singh and other Sikhs to visit Dhir Mal to request the original codex, the Kartarpuri Bir, however Dhir Mal is said to have responded by taunting Guru Gobind Singh to prepare a copy of the scripture by memory if he is really the true guru. In-response, the Sikh guru is said to have prepared the Damdami recension of the scripture.[13][14] After the founding of the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh classified the Dhirmalias as one of the Panj Mel, groups which Sikhs are to avoid and shun completely.[10]

Dhirmalias

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Genealogical pedigree (family-tree) of the Sodhi family of Kartarpur, Punjab, revised pedigree-table (1940)

The Dhirmalias were a heretical sect founded by Dhir Mal, the eldest son of Gurditta and grandson of Guru Hargobind.[15][16][17] Dhir Mal is considered a traitor by mainstream Sikhs due to his greed for the guruship, wealth, and power.[18][19] Guru Gobind Singh forbade his Sikhs from having any relation with Dhirmalias.[20][21][3] A shrine dedicated to Dhir Mal is located in Kartarpur.[22] Dhir Mal's great-grandson, Bikram Singh, would later give up connections to the sect and be baptised into the Khalsa order and become a mainstream Sikh.[23] Vadhbag Singh Sodhi, an 18th-century descendant of the Sikh Gurus, was a prominent figure of the Dhirmalia sect.[24] Vadbhag Singh became worshipped as a banisher of evil spirits, with a cult forming around him.[10] Vadbhag Singh approached Jassa Singh Ahluwalia to re-consider the injunction that had been put in-place against the Dhirmalias by Guru Gobind Singh, with the Dhirmalias being allowed to re-join the Khalsa after some debate.[3] Thus, in the second half of the 18th century, the Dhirmalias re-joined the Khalsa and the schism came to an end.[10]

The sect was awarded the original manuscript of the Adi Granth, which was prepared by Guru Arjan and his scribe Bhai Gurdas, in 1643.[25] This manuscript is known as the Kartarpur Bir.[26] The Sodhis of Kartarpur claim to be their descendants and have in their possession the manuscript.[22] Maharaja Ranjit Singh took possession of the original codex and had it installed at his personal gurdwara in Lahore Fort. However, after British annexation of the Punjab in 1849, the codex was returned to the Sodhis of Kartarpur led by Sodhi Sadhu Singh in 1850 upon their request for it. It remains with them today and is installed at Gurdwara Thum Sahib.[8][9] Sadhu Sing had an estate in the Jalandhar Doab worth 63,000 rupees and was restored to his jagir by the British for his support during the 1857 mutiny.[3] In 1877, Sadhu Singh was succeeded by his son Jawahar Singh, who was not regarded well, thus his estate came under the control of the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar. Jawahar Singh was succeeded in 1882 by Nau Nihal Singh. The current head of the Dhirmalias of Kartarpur is Karamjit Singh, who manages Gurdwara Tham Sahib in Kartarpur and other locations in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Singh, Surender Pal (19 July 2021). "Politics of the Sword Warrior Guru - Family (Dhir Mal)". Sikh Research Institute. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Kaur, Madanjit. "DHĪR MALL". Encyclopedia of Sikhism (Online Edition). Punjabi University, Patiala. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Singh, Joginder (22 August 2017). "Emerging Religious Consciousness, Trends and Founding Establishments - Sikhs". Religious Pluralism in Punjab: A Contemporary Account of Sikh Sants, Babas, Gurus and Satgurus. Routledge. ISBN 9781351986342.
  4. 1 2 Gupta, Bhim Sen (1978). Guru Tegh Bahadur: A Study. Publication Bureau, Panjab University. pp. 29, 32, 63.
  5. 1 2 "Sri Guru HarGobind Sahib Ji - GURU AT KIRATPUR". SearchGurbani. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Sikhism - Guru Hargobind: A new direction for the Panth". Britannica. Retrieved 23 March 2026. The older son of Gurditta, Dhir Mal, was rejected because, from his seat in Jalandhar district, he had formed an alliance with Emperor Shāh Jahān. This meant that the younger son of Gurditta, Har Rai, would become the seventh Guru. But Dhir Mal continued to make trouble for the orthodox Panth and attracted many Sikhs as his followers. He also claimed to possess the sacred scripture prepared by Guru Arjan and used it to buttress his claims to be the only legitimate Guru.
  7. ↑ Dhillon, Harish (2015). The Sikh Gurus. Hay House Publishing. ISBN 978-93-84544-45-4. OCLC 968092357. At this point, however, the Guru Hargobind fell out with his famous general, Painde Khan. The relationship deteriorated to such an extent that Painde Khan and his son-in-law, Asman Khan, were both dismissed from the Guru's service. Painde Khan went to the Mughal court and offered his services against the Guru. "I have been with the Guru for many years. I know all his strengths and all his weaknesses. If you send a strong army with me, I am sure I can defeat the Guru,' claimed Painde Khan. The Mughals decided to take advantage of this offer. So in 1634, a large force under Kale Khan (the brother of Mukhlis Khan) along with Painde Khan and Asman Khan was sent out against the Guru. It is said that on the eve of the battle, Dhirmal, Guru Hargobind's grandson, wrote a secret letter to Painde Khan promising to help the invading forces with information about the Guru's army. The Guru had taken up position in Kartarpur and the Mughal forces surrounded him from all sides. The defence of the town was divided among his generals Bidhi Chand, Jati Mai, Lakhi, and Rai Jodh. The Mughal army attacked the town and a fierce and bloody battle followed. The Guru's sons, Tegh Bahadur and Gurditta, fought with great skill and courage. In fact Tegh Bahadur wielded his sword so well that he caused great harm to the Mughal army and it seemed that the battle would go in favour of the Guru's forces. Some of the remaining Mughal generals now called upon Painde Khan. 'Where is your knowledge of the Guru's forces? If you really have such knowledge you must use it'
  8. 1 2 3 Brar, Sandeep Singh (2013). "Kartarpur Bir". Sikh Museum. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Orginal copy of holy Guru Granth Sahib at Kartarpur villages". Outlook India. 29 August 2004. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McLeod, William Hewat (Jul 24, 2009). "DHIR MAL (b. 1627).". The A to Z of Sikhism. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. pp. 57–58. ISBN 9798216290001.
  11. 1 2 Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair (2013). Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed. A & C Black. pp. 48–49. ISBN 9781441117083.
  12. ↑ "Pedigree Table of Sodhi Family of Kartarpur, Distt. Jalandhar, (Pb.) India". Dera Guru Bhadbhag Singh Sodhi Ji. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "About Damdami Taksaal". Damdami Taksal. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  14. ↑ "About Damdami Taksal". Gursevak. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "Dhir Mal | Sikh rebel leader | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30. The older son of Gurditta, Dhir Mal, was rejected because, from his seat in Jalandhar district, he had allied with Emperor Shāh Jahān. This meant that the younger son of Gurditta, Har Rai, would become the seventh Guru. But Dhir Mal continued to make trouble for the orthodox…
  16. ↑ Singh, Khushwant (1959). The Sikhs Today: Their Religion, History, Culture, Customs, and Way of Life. Orient Longmans. p. 14.
  17. ↑ Suda, Jyoti Prasad (1978). Religions in India: A Study of Their Essential Unity. Sterling. p. 265.
  18. ↑ Macauliffe, Max Arthur (1909). The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors, Volumes 3-4. Vol. 3–4. Clarendon Press. p. 213. Dhir Mal and his mother Natti were the only members of the Guru's family who did not accompany him on his journey to Kiratpur. In the first place, Dhir Mal had turned traitor, and was ashamed to show his face to the Guru and his Sikhs. In the second place, he thought that, if he remained behind, he could take possession of all the Guru's-property, including the Granth Sahib. It will be remembered that Bidhi Chand had begun to make a copy of the sacred book. He told Dhir Mal that he had copied it as far as the Bilawal Rag, or more than one half of the whole, and, if he might take the Granth Sahib with him, he would soon finish copying the remainder. Dhir Mal replied, 'Go to Kiratpur; I will search the Guru's house for the Granth Sahib, and if I find it, I will send it to thee.' When Bidi Chand overtook the Guru, he told him of Dhir Mal's continued contumacy. The Guru laughingly said, 'Kartarpur was founded by his ancestors. That is why he will not leave it. He desires to improve it, and hence his remaining there. It was improper for him to break with his father and grandfather and to ally himself with the Muhammadans, but he is an incarnation of Prithia and means to establish a sect of his own. Let the Granth Sahib remain with him. When the Sikhs feel devotion, they will deprive him of it.
  19. ↑ Greenlees, Duncan (1960). The Gospel of the Guru-Granth Sahib. World gospel series. Vol. 8. Theosophical Publishing House. pp. lxxxvi (86). Dhirmal, the Guru's grandson, son of Gurditta, had turned traitor before the last battle and now refused to go humbly to receive the Guruship from Har Gobind's hand ...
  20. ↑ Geaves, Ron (2007). Saivism in the diaspora : contemporary forms of Skanda worship. London: Equinox Pub. p. 158. ISBN 978-1-84553-234-5. OCLC 67840214.
  21. ↑ Nayar, Kamala Elizabeth (2020). "Notes". The Sikh View on Happiness: Guru Arjan's Sukhmani. Jaswinder Singh Sandhu. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-350-13988-6. OCLC 1140790571. 93 - According to tradition, when Guru Gobind Singh initiated the Khalsa, he forbade members of the Sikh Panth to interact with the Minas, as also with the followers of the Dhirmalia sect founded by Dhir Mal (grandson of Guru Hargobind) and the ...
  22. 1 2 "Minas, Masands, Dhir Malias, Ram Raiyas". Division of Religion and Philosophy - University of Cumbria (www.philtar.ac.uk). Retrieved 2023-03-30. Adherents: Minas and Masands are now largely extinct. Dhir Malias have descendants to this day (the Sodhis of Kartarpur), and there are Ram Raiyas in Dehra Dun. In the 1891 census 52,317 Hindus and 30,396 Sikhs returned themselves as 'Ram Raia'. (Census of India, 1891, Vol.XX and Vol.XXI, The Punjab and its Feudatories, by E.D. Maclagan, Part II and III, Calcutta, 1892, pp.826-9 and pp.572-3.) However there are no contemporary official numbers, (see also the note at the end of the Explanatory Introduction).

    Headquarters/ Main Centre: The descendants of Dhir Mal claim to have a copy of the original Adi Granth held in Kartarpur, and there is a shrine there called Baba Dhir Mal. Ram Raiyas have their centre in Dehra Dun.
  23. ↑ Singh, Trilochan (2001). The Turban and the Sword of the Sikhs: Essence of Sikhism: History and Exposition of Sikh Baptism, Sikh Symbols, and Moral Code of the Sikhs, Rehitnāmās (2nd rev. and enl. ed.). Amritsar: B. Chattar Singh Jiwan Singh. pp. 193, 426. ISBN 81-7601-491-5. OCLC 51086435.
  24. ↑ Fabrizio M. Ferrari (2011). Health and religious rituals in South Asia: disease, possession, and healing. Routledge. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9781136846298. OCLC 739388185.
  25. ↑ Singh, Pashaura (2006). Life and Work of Guru Arjan: History, Memory, and Biography in the Sikh Tradition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199087808. This granth was given to Dhir Mal to create a parallel seat of authority at Kartarpur against Guru Hargobind in 1643.
  26. ↑ Bakhshi, Surinder (2008). Sikhs in the Diaspora: A Modern Guide to Practice of the Sikh Faith: A Knowledge Compendium for the Global Age (Special Gurtagaddi ed.). Birmingham, UK: Sikh Publishing House in association with Ramgarhia Sikh Temple. pp. 85–86. ISBN 9780956072801. OCLC 1311132507. The original Granth, still extant today, had a chequered history. Dhir Mal, the eldest grandson of the sixth Guru, Hargobind Sahib, angered at not being offered Gurtagaddi, Guruship, of which he thought he was the rightful heir as the first-born son, took possession of it in 1634. It remained with his family for about a hundred years when Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler of Punjab, forcibly acquired it and installed it in Lahore, his capital. On the collapse of the Sikh empire, the British rulers returned the Bir to the 'owners' who lived in Kartarpur, a town founded by the sixth Guru in Punjab. The Granth is known as the Kartarpur Bir. The Sodhi clan, descendants of Guru Hargobind, have preserved the Kartarpur Bir with its original gold stand and display it once a month for worship.
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