KABIR, BHAGAT

Bhagat Kabir (1450-1518) was born at Kashi (Varanasi), in Uttar Pradesh. He was a weaver by profession. Some writers believe that he was born in Brahmin (so-called high class Hindu) family but was brought up by Neeru and his wife Neema, a Muslim couple. Bhagat Kabir was a great poet of his times. Much of his religious belief was akin to Sikhism, that is why Guru Arjan Sahib gave his verses place in the Guru Granth Sahib. 292 hymns and 252 Salokas of Kabir have been included in Guru Granth Sahib. His writings have been compiled under the title Kabir Rachanavali and Kabir Bijak too; but the most authentic are the writings included in Guru Granth Sahib. Bhagat Kabir was opposed to monopolisation of religion by the Brahmins who believed themselves as superior to the other races. He was opposed to ritualism and stressed upon humanism and truthful life. The similarities between the thought of Guru Nanak Sahib and Bhagat Kabir made some writers wrongly infer some relationship between the both. According to a source Guru Nanak Sahib visited him during his tour of Kanshi (Varanasi).

(Dr Harjinder Sinh Dilgeer)