Bhai Bhikha Bhatt, son of Bhai Rayia and grandson of Bhai Narsi, a Kaushish-Gaur Brahmin, was a resident of Sultanpur (district Kapurthala). He joined Sikh faith at the time of Guru Amar Das Sahib. Two stanzas, written by Bhai Bhikha, have been included in Guru Granth Sahib. Bhai Bhikha’s sons Bhai Mathura (who embraced martyrdom in the battle of Ruhila, on October 3, 1621) and Bhai Kirat (who embraced martyrdom in the battle of Amritsar, on April 13, 1634) were also in the service of Guru Sahib, at Goindwal. It seems that Bhai Bhikha lived up to the time of Guru Arjan Sahib. According to one source, he introduced sixteen Bhatt bards to Guru Arjan Sahib. Bhai Bhikha’s brother Bhai Toda too was a good poet. Bhai Bhikha’s grandsons and great-grandsons also embraced martyrdom. Also see: Kirat, Mathura, Narbud Singh, Keso Singh.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)