TheSikhs.org


GHANAIYA SINGH, BHAI


Bhai Ghanaiya Singh Dhamman (1648 – 20.9.1718), of village Sodara (district Gujranwala, Pakistan), was introduced into Sikhism by Bhai Nanua, during the time of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. He served Guru Sahib for several years. With the blessings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, he established a Gurdwara at Kavha, about 32 km from Attock. After a few years, he returned to Anandpur Sahib to serve Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

A famous anecdote about Bhai Ghanaiya Singh (during some battle) treating all the wounded soldiers (Sikhs as well as enemy soldiers) is very faous. This might have been concocted to assert Guru Sahib’s command to treat all the human race as one and the same. Bhai Kanhaiya Singh performed Sewa (service) in Langar too. He was devoted to the service of the community. He was also appointed as a missionary by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. He died at village Sodara in 1718. His Jatha was succeeded by Bhai Sehaj Ram, Bhai Rana Ram etc. One of his successors, Addan Shah (1688 – 26.4.1757) became so famous that this Jatha came to be known as Addan Shahi-ay or Sewa Panthi-ay.

Some people mention his as only Kanhaiya or Ghaniya which is wrong. His name was Ghanaiya Singh

(Dr Harjinder Sinh Dilgeer)