BABAK (d. 1642), a Muslim rababi or musician, kept Guru Hargobind company and recited the sacred hymns at divans morning and evening. The word babak, from Persian, means faithful. As says the Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi, Babak was, at the death of Satta and Balvand, who used to recite sacred

BABAR, ZAHIR UD-DIN MUHAMMAD (1483-1530), soldier of fortune, founder of the Mughal dynasty in India, diarist and poet, descending in the fifth generation from Timur, was born on 14 February 1483. In June 1494, he succeeded his father, \'Umar Shaikh\', as ruler of Farghana, whose revenues supported no more than

BACHITTAR SINGH MALVAI (d. 1840), eldest son of Dhanna Singh Malvai, joined the army of Ranjit Singh about 1827, and served first at Bahawalpur. When Peshawar was occupied by the Sikhs in 1834, Bachittar Singh was sent to Shabqadar, where a new cantonment had been laid out and a

BACHITTAR SINGH, BHAI (d. 1705), warrior and martyr, was the second son of Bhai Mani Ram, a Parmar Rajput and devotee of the Gurus. One of the five brothers presented by their father for service to Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), he joined the order of the Khalsa on the

BACHITTAR SINGH, BHAI (d. 1921), was a granthi (officiant) at the gurdwara in Chakk No. 85 Dalla Chanda Singhvala in Sheikhupura, in the newly colonized irrigation district in western Punjab. Nothing is known about his parentage or the date and place of his birth. He had arrived at the

BADALI, BHAI, a Sodhi Khatri, and Se^h Gopal figure in the roster of prominent Sikhs of the time of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) in Bhai Gurdas, Varan XI. 31. As they sought the Guru\'s instruction he, records Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, impressed upon them the virtue of

BADRI NATH (d. 1871), son of Pandit Gobind Ram who migrated from Kashmir to the Punjab at the beginning of the nineteenth century, entered Maharaja Ranjit Singh\'s army as a soldier in 1821, rising to the rank of colonel in 1835. He saw plenty of fighting during his service

BAGGA SINGH, BHAI (1893-1921), was born during Assu 1950 Bk/September-October 1893, the son of Bhai Ganga Singh and Mai Mallan, a peasant couple of Chakk No. 38 Deva Singhvala in Sheikhupura district, in the newly developed canal area in western Punjab by the British. He learnt reading and writing

BAGH SINGH VIRK (d. 1806), a feudatory chief under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His father Lal Singh, who had migrated from Jammu, held sway in the tract between Sheikhupura and Miralivala as the Sikh sardars started acquiring territory in the Punjab in the latter half of the eighteenth century. He

BAGHAR SINGH, BHAI, killed in 1740, was the youngest son of Bhai Alam Singh Nachna, of Duburji village in Sialkot district, a warrior in Guru Gobind Singh\'s retinue at Anandpur. His elder brothers, Mohar Singh and Amolak Singh, too, were soldiers and are believed to have died fighting along

BAGHEL SINGH (d. 1802), who succeeded in 1765 Karora Singh as leader of the Karor singhia misi or chief ship, is celebrated in Sikh history as the vanquisher of Mughal Delhi. A Dhalival Jatt, Baghel Singh arose from the village of Jhabal, in Amritsar district, to become a formidable

BAHADUR SHAH (1643-1712), Mughal emperor of India from 1707 to 1712. Born Muhammad Mu\'azzam at Burhanpur in the Deccan on 14 October 1643, he was actively employed by his father, Aurangzib, from 1663 onwards for subduing the kingdom of Bijapur and the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda in the south.

BAHADUR SINGH. who belonged to Nanku, an obscure village in Jalandhar district of the Punjab, was among the close associates of Bhai Maharaj Singh, leader of the anti British revolt of 1848-49. After the failure of the design to rescue Maharaja Duleep Singh from British hands, Bhai Maharaj Singh

BAHILO, BHAI (1553-1643), a Siddhu Jatt of the village of Phaphre, in present day Bathinda district of the Punjab, and a prominent Sikh of his time. He was originally a follower of Sultan Sakhi Sarwar and a local priest of that semi Muslim sect of Sultanias or Sarwarias. In

BAHILOL, BHAI, a resident of Qadivind, a village near Kasur, now in Pakistan, was a devotee of Guru Amar Das. Once the Guru visited Qadivind at his request and, pleased at his devotion, promised him any boon he might ask of him. Bhai Bahilol spoke humbly : "Nothing is

BAHORA, BHAI, a goldsmith, who once came to Goindval to see Guru Arjan and seek his blessing. He confessed to the Guru that he cheated his customers skimping their gold, and asked what other calling he should turn to. The Guru said, "Do not cheat, do not steal and

BAHORU, BHAI, a Khosia Khatri of Lahore, received initiation at the hands of Guru Arjan. As Bhai Bidhi Chand in Guru Hargobind`s time went to Lahore to rescue the second of the two horses belonging to Bhai Karori, a horse dealer of Kabul, who was bringing the pair as

BAISAKHA SINGH, DlWAN (d. 1844), soldier and administrator in the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was the son of Diwan Kahn Singh Chamiarivala. In 1831, he accompanied Kanvar Sher Singh and General Ventura to Peshawar to put down the tumult raised by Sayyid Ahmad Barelavi. When in 1832 Kanvar

BAJ SINGH (d. 1716), a Bal Jatt, was a native of Mirpur Patti, a village in Amritsar district of the Punjab. A devoted Sikh, Baj Singh had received the rites of initiation at the hands of Guru Gobind Singh himself. He accompanied the Guru to the Deccan in 1708

BAKER, GEORGE, a Eurasian, who served as a drum major in one of the battalions of Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s army.

BAKHSHISH SINGH, one of the Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh`s time who, as says Bhai Santokh Singh, Sri GurPratap Suraj Granth, received amrit or initiatory vows at the time of the creation of the Khalsa in 1699. He took part in the battles of Lohgarh and Nirmohgarh.

BAKHT KAUR, MATA, also called Lakhmi or Lakkho, was the mother of Guru Amar Das (1479-1574). Mata Lakkho is the name mentioned by Kesar Singh Chibbar, Bansavalinama Dasan Patshahian Ka. Born in a Duggal Khatri family, she was married to Baba Tej Bhan of Basarke Gillan, a village 12

BAKHT MALL and Tara Chand, masands or accredited Sikh preachers in Kabul, once ledr the sangat of their area to the Punjab to wait on Guru Hargobind (1595-1644). Among the offerings they brought were two pedigree horses of excelling beauty, named Gulbagh and Dilbagh. As they were passing through Lahore,

BALA JHINGAN, a learned Brahman who was known for his skill in debate and discourse. Accompanied by another learned Brahman, Kishna, of the same Jhirigan subcaste, he visited Guru Arjan. Both confessed to the Guru that despite their knowledge of the sacred texts and despite their ability to sway

BALA MARVAHA. a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He served diligently as the Harimandar at Amritsar was under construction. Once, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhari di Bhagat Mala, Bhai Bala, along with Bhai HamzaJa|ja, Bhai Nanon Ohri and Bhai Suri Chaudhari, went up to the

BALA, BHAI (1466-1544), who, according to popular belief, was a lifelong companion of Guru Nanak, was the son of Chandar Bhan, a Sandhu Jatt of Talvandi Rai Bhoi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Three years senior in age to Guru Nanak, he was his childhood playmate in Talvandi. From

BALA, BHAI, whose name occurs in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 19, embraced the Sikh faith in the time of Guru Arjan, As reports Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan diBhagat Mala, he and his companions Mula, Suja, Chandu, Ram Das Bhandari and SairiDas received instruction at the hands of Guru Arjan.

BALAK SINGH, BABA (1785-1862), mentor of Baba Ram Singh, acknowledged to be the forerunner of the Namdhari movement, was born in 1841 Bk/AD 1785 to Dial Singh and Mata Bhag Bhari, in an Arora family of village Chhoi in Attock district, in Rawalpindi division, now in Pakistan. Balak Singh

BALBIR SINGH (1894-1974) Dr. Balbir Singh is an eminent thinker and expositor of Sikh literature. He is a man of much learning, both of eastern and western philosophy, besides a teacher of botany. His essays are available in collections like Charan Hari Visthar (Detailed account of Charan Singh) about

BALBIR SINGH, RAJA (1869-1906), born on 30 August 1869, the son of Raja Bikram Singh, ascended the throne of Faridkot state on 16 December 1898. He ruled for barely eight years, yet his reign was marked by new buildings such as the Victoria Memorial Clock Tower and the Raj

BALDEV SINGH (1902-1961), industrialist, politician and the first Defence Minister of India at Independence was born on 11 July 1902. of a Sikh family of ChokarJatts at the village of Dummna, in Ropar district of the Punjab. His father, Inder Singh, who started life as a government official in

BALLU, BHAI, a barber who embraced the Sikh faith at the hands of Guru Angad came into prominence in the time of Guru Amar Das. When Guru Amar Das, after being consecrated Guru by Guru Arigad, retired to Goindval and shut himself in a room to meditate in seclusion,

BALLU, son of Mula, was the grandfather of Bhai Mani Ram of "Alipur, in Multan district, whose five sons were distinguished warriors in the retinue of Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708). According to Bhatt Vahi Multani Sindhi, Ballu himself was a retainer of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644). He died fighting for

BALU HASNA (1564-1660), Sikh preacher and the first head of a dhuan or branch of the Udasi sect, was born the son of Pandit Hardatt and Mai Prabha of Srinagar (Kashmir) on 13 November 1564.. His original name was Balu. Accompanying his elder brother, Alu, better known as Bhai

BALVAND, RAI, a rababi or rebeck player in the time of Guru Arjan and co-composer with Satta, said to be his brother, of a Var included in the Guru Granth Sahib in the Ramkali musical measure. He was by birth a mirasi, Muslim minstrel and genealogist, and sang the sacred

BALVANT SINGH CANADIAN (1882-1917), a prominent figure in the Ghadr movement, was born on 14 September 1882 at Khurdpur, a village in Jalandhar district of the Punjab. His father, Budh Singh, lived in easy circumstances. For his education, Balvant Singh was sent to the middle school at Adampur. But

BANARASI DAS. alias Banarasi Babu, who professed to be a Kuka Sikh, was originally a resident of Allahabad. Widely travelled, he had been to England in 1885-86 where he had met the deposed Maharaja Duleep Singh. On his return from England he went to Nepal, the favoured resort of

BANARASI, MATA, grandmother of Guru Nanak and mother of Baba Kalu or Kalian Rai, was the wife of Shiv Ram, resident of Talvandi Rai Bhoi Ki, now called Nankana Sahib. She was the mother of two sons, Kalu and Lalu. See SHIV RAM, BABA

BANDA SINGH BAHADUR (1670-1716). eighteenth century Sikh warrior who for the first time seized territory for the Khalsa and paved the way for the ulimate conquest of the Punjab by them, was born Lachhman Dev on 27 October 1670 at Rajauri in the Punchh district of Kashmir. According to

BANDAI, name given to the followers of the Sikh hero, Banda Singh Bahadur (1670-1716), who regarded him not only as a military leader but also as Guru next to Guru Gobind Singh in spiritual succession. They were opposed and ultimately expelled in 1721 by the mainstream of the Sikhs,

BANNO, BHAI (1558-1645), a prominent Sikh contemporary of Guru Arjan and Guru Hargobind, was the son of Bhai Bishan Dev of village Mangat, also called KharaMangat, Khara being its older name, in Phalia tahsil of Gujrat district (now in Pakistan). He was born on Saturday, Baisakh sudi 13,1615 Bk/

BANTA SINGH (1890-1915). a Ghadr revolutionary, was born the son of Buta Singh in 1890 at Sangval, in Jalandhar district of the Punjab. He passed his matriculation examination from the local D.A.V. High School and left for abroad, first travelling to China and then onwards to America. In 1914,

BANTA SINGH DHAMIAN (1900-1923), Babar revolutionary, was born in 1900 at the village of Dhamian Kalan, in Jalandhar district. He went to the village primary school, and joined the army serving in the 55th Sikh Battalion for about three years. While in the army he came in contact with

BANTA SINGH, BHAI (1894-1921), one of the Nankana Sahib martyrs, was the son of Bhai Bhola Singh Dhillon and Mai Bhag Kaur of village Bihera, in Hoshiarpur district. He was born on 25 October 1894. As a youth, he had engaged in wrestling and gone out hunting. He had

BANVALI, BHAI, and his brother Paras Ram, Brahmans by birth, were devotees of Guru Hargobind. They were professional physicians and, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, they treated Sikhs and holymen free of charge, and went travelling preaching the word of the Guru. Once they asked

BARA SINGH, BHAI (1903-1921), one of the Nankana Sahib martyrs, was the son of Bhai Pala Singh and Mai Man Kaur of Bandala village in Amritsar district. Some time after his birth on 8 Kattak 1960 Bk/23 October 1903, the family migrated to Chakk No. 71 Bandala Bachan Singhvala

BARBARA SINGH, BABA (1814-1870), second in the hierarchy of the Nirankari sect, was the eldest of the three sons of Baba Dayal, the founder of the sect. He was born at Rawalpindi on 1 Baisakh 1871 Bk / 11 April 1814 and succeeded to his father`s seat on 30

BARELAVI, SAYYID AHMAD (1786-1831), leader of the militant Wahabi movement in India for the purification and rehabilitation of Islam, was born at Rae Bareli, in present day Uttar Pradesh, on 29 November 1786, in a Sayyid family. At school, he took more interest in sports than in studies. He attained

BARLOW (d. 1845) an Englishman, while serving with 44th Foot, was taken prisoner by the Afghans during the British retreat from Afghanistan in 1841. In 1843, he escaped from prison, came to Lahore and entered the service of the Sikh Darbar. Barlow fought against the British in the first

BASANT SINGH, BHAI (d. 1900), one of the founder members of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Lahore, established on 2 November 1879, worked as its accountant and later became its vice president. Differences between Bhai Basant Singh and other leaders of the Khalsa Diwan, Lahore, originating in the expulsion in April

BASANT SINGH, PANDIT (1868-1941). eminent Nirmala scholar which status is betokened by the prefix Pandit (meaning a man of surpassing learning) added to his name, was born on 26 June 1868, the son of Bhai Kala Singh of a Jatt Sikh family of Dhingarian village, 3 km north of

BASAVA SINGH, a resident of the village of Sujoval in Gurdaspur district of the Punjab, was a close associate of Bhai Maharaj Singh, who led a revolt against the British in 1848-49. Basava Singh was included in the delegation sent with letters to Bhai Kishan Singh, Bhai Nihal Singh

BASAWAN, SHAIKH, a ranked Muslim officer at Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s court, started his career as an assistant to Misr Beli Ram, who had entered the Maharaja`s service in 1809 and who in 1816 had become superintendent of the to shakhana or treasury. Basawan by dint of hard work gradually rose

BATTHA, BHAI, was a masand or local leader heading the Sikh congregation at Pattan Shaikh Farid, better known as Pakpattan, in Montgomery (now Sahival) district of Pakistan, during the time of Guru Har Krishan and Guru Tegh Bahadur. As is evident from a number of bukamnamas or edicts issued

BATTICE, an Italian, who joined the Sikh service in 1843. He was employed in the ordnance factory at Lahore for manufacturing gunpowder and saltpetre. In 1844, the army Panchayats removed him from the service, along with some other European officers. He died at Lahore soon afterwards.

BECHINT SINGH, BHAI (1872-1921), one of the Nankana Sahib martyrs, was the son of Bhai Sundar Singh and Mat Sahib Kaur, a peasant couple of the village of Pharala in Jalandhar district. The family migrated to Chakk No. 258 Pharala in the newly colonized district of Lyallpur in 1892.

S.S. Wanjara Bedi was born at Sialkot, now in Pakistan. He did his M.A. in Punjabi from the Punjabi University and Ph.D. from the University of Delhi. He worked in a bank early in his career and senior lecturer of Dayal Singh college, Delhi. He edited Fateh a weekly

BEGA, BHAI, or Bhai Vega. a Pasi Khatri of the village of Dalla, now in Kapurthala district of the Punjab. His name appears among pious and devoted Sikhs of the time of Guru Amar Das in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 16. He was among the Sikhs who waited upon

BELA SINGH, BHAI (1865-1921), son of Bhai Mayya and Mai Raji, a Saini Sikh couple, was born at Kartarpur in Jalandhar district. The family originally belonged to Faridkot state, from where Bela Singh`s grandfather, Bhai Sobha, had migrated to Kartarpur where he served in Guru ka Larigar run by

BELI RAM (d. 1843). head of the royal to shakhana at Lahore, was the second of the five sons of Misr Divan Chand, a general in Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s army. He joined the Maharaja`s treasury in 1809 and within seven years rose to occupy the highest position in it.

BENET, a Frenchma n, was one of the European physicians at the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He arrived at Lahore in 1838, and was given employment as a personal physician to the Maharaja and surgeon general to the Khalsa army on a monthly salary of Rs 1,000. After

BENI, BHAGAT is one of the fifteen saints and sufis some of whose compositions have been incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib. Very little is known about his personal life except that he spent most of his time in prayer and contemplation. Nabhaji`s Bhagatmal, which includes him in its

BENI, PANDIT, a learned Brahman of Chunian, in present day Lahore district of Pakistan, was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Amar Das. As he first visited Goindval, he came loaded with books to demonstrate his learning. Guru Amar Das spoke to him gently: "Mere learning begetteth

BENTINCK, LORD WILLIAM CAVENDISH (1774-1839), Governor General of India, son of William Henry, third duke of Portland, was born on 14 September 1774. In 1803, he was appointed governor of Madras, but recalled in 1807 in consequence of the sepoy mutiny at Vellore. In 1827, Bentinck succeeded Lord Amherst as

BHAG SINGH, also referred to in government records as Baj Singh, was an associate of Bhai Maharaj Singh, leader of the anti British revolt in the Punjab in 1848-49. Originally a disciple of Bhai Bir Singh of Naurangabad, he survived the attack on his dera on 7 May 1844

BHAG SINGH, BHAI (1872-1914), one of the leaders of the Punjabi immigrants in Canada, was born at the village of Bhikhivind, in Amritsar district. His father`s name was Narain Singh and mother`s Man Kaur. Bhag Singh joined the British Indian cavalry at the age of twenty, receiving a discharge

BHAG SINGH, BHAI (1880-1921), one of the Nankana Sahib martyrs, was born in 1880, the son of Bhai Amir Singh and Mai Nihal Kaur of village Nizampur, in Amritsar district. The family later shifted to Chakk No. 38 Deva Singhvala, in the newly developed canal colony of Sheikhupura. Bhag

BHAG SINGH, RAI (d. 1884) was son of Rai Kishan Chand Bhandari who worked as a vakil or agent under the Sikh government. In the beginning of 1838 when Rai Kishan Chand accompanied Colonel Wade to Peshawar, Bhag Singh officiated in his place as agent at Ludhiana, in the

BHAG SINGH, RAJA (1760-1819), born on 23 September 1760, succeeded his father, Gajpat Singh, to the gaddi of Jind state in 1789. He was a man of extraordinary vigour, intelligence and diplomatic astuteness. Like his father, he was also a close ally of Patiala and joined hands with Bibi

BHAG SINGH, SANT (1766-1839), of Kuri. a holy man widely respected in his time, was born the son of Bhai Hans Rai in 1766 at Qadirabad, a village in Gujrat district (now in Pakistan), where his grandfather, Gurbakhsh Singh, said to have been in the retinue of Guru Gobind

BHAGAT BHAGVAN, recipient of one of the bakhshi`shs or seats of the Udasi sect, was a contemporary of Guru Har Rai (1630-61). His original name was Bhagvan Gir. Little is known about his early life except that, according to Udasi sources, he was born in a Brahman family at

BHAGAT RAM, BAKHSHI (1799-1865), son of Baisakhi Ram, a small moneychanger in the city of Lahore, joined the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1818 at the age of nineteen as a writer in the treasury office under Misr Belt Ram, the chief to shakhama or keeper of the

BHAGAT SINGH (1907-1931), revolutionary and martyr, was born on 27 September 1907 at the village of Banga, Lyallpur district (now in Pakistan) the second son of Kishan Singh and Vidya Vati. Bhagat Singh was imbued from childhood with the family`s spirit of patriotism. At the time of his birth,

BHAGATA, BHAI, an Ohri Khatri, figures in Bhai Gurdas`s roster of the principal disciples of Guru Nanak, Varan, XI. 14. To quote Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, Bhai Bhagata, accompanied by Bhai Japu Vansi, presented himself before the Guru and said, "Holy Sir, we are illiterate and

BHAGATU, BHAI (d. 1652), a devoted Sikh who served the Fifth, Sixth and the Seventh Gurus, was the son of Adam (Uddam in some chronicles), a Siddhu Brar of Malva country. Sikh chronicles record that Adam, without a son for a long time and despaired of prayers at the

BHAGATU, BHAI, a Chhura Khatri of Burhanpur who, according to Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 30, received instruction at the hands of Guru Hargobind. See BHAGVAN DAS, BHAI

BHAGBHARI, MAI (d. 1614), of a Brahman family of Srinagar, was converted to the Sikh faith by Bhai Madho Sodhi, sent by Guru Arjan to preach in Kashmir. As she grew old, she wished to have a glimpse of the Guru before she died. Guru Hargobind then occupied the

BHAGIRATH, BHAI, whose name occurs in the roster of leading Sikhs in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 18, was a Soini Khatri. He entered the Sikh faith in the time of Guru Arjan. From the Guru himself he received enlightenment and learnt to distinguish a true gurmukh (one with face

BHAGO, MAI, the sole survivor of the battle of Khidrana, i.e. Muktsar (29 December 1705), was a descendant of Pero Shah, the younger brother of Bhai Langah, a Dhillon Jatt who had converted a Sikh during the time of Guru Arjan. Born at her ancestral village of Jhabal in

BHAGO, MALIK, was, according to Sikh chroniclers, the Hindu steward of the Muslim chief of Saidpur, present day town of Eminabad, now in Gujranwala district of Pakistan, during the days of Guru Nanak. The tradition relates that once while Guru Nanak was staying with Bhai Lalo, a poor carpenter,

BHAGU, BHAI, of the village of Dalla. now in Kapurthala district of the Punjab, was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Amar Das. Bhai Gurdas in one of his couplets praises him as "a devotee who to the Lord`s love is dedicated." See SAHARU, BHAI

BHAGVAN DAS, BHAI, a devoted Sikh of Burhanpur (21° 18`N, 76° 14`E), on the bank of the River Tapti, once travelled to Amritsar along with Bhai Bodala, Bhai Malak Kataru, Bhai Prithi Mall, Bhai Bhagatu, Bhai Dallu, Bhai Sundar Das and Bhai Svami Das to seek instruction from Guru

BHAGVAN SINGH LAUNGOVALIA (d. 1944), patriot, Akali activist and one of the founders of the Praja Mandal, a platform meant to provide voice to the people of Indian states ruled by Indian princes during British times to ventilate their grievances and protest against the oppression, misrule and extravagances of

BHAGVAN SINGH, BHAI (1881-1921), one of the Nankana Sahib martyrs, was son of Bhai Lahina Singh and Mat Tabo of village Nizampur, in Amritsar district. He lost his mother at the age of three. On the opening of the Lower Chenab Canal Colony during the last decade of the

BHAGVAN SINGH, RAJA (1842-1871), was born at Nabha on 30 November 1842, the younger son of Raja Devinder Singh. He ascended the throne of the princely state of Nabha on 17 February 1864 after his elder `brother. Raja Bharpur Singh, had died issueless. Raja Bhagvan Singh too died childless

BHAGVANA. BHAI, along with Bhai Latkan Ghura, Bhai Gurditta and Bhai Katara, the jeweller, once came to see Guru Arjan and asked for a mantra, or sacred formula. The Guru, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, told them that any name for God would save, but

BHAGVANT SINGH BANGESARI was. according to Sarup Singh Kaushish, Guru kian Sakhian, the naik or leader of a large tanda or trade caravan. In September-October 1708, he with his merchandise was passing through Nanded where he halted to pay homage to Guru Gobind Singh. As the Guru deputed Banda

BHAGVANT SINGH HARIJI, BHAI (1892-1968), a lover of game, horticulturist and scholar, was born on 15 February 1892 to the erudition of his celebrated father, Bhai Kahn Singh, of Nabha, the creator of the immortal Gurushabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh. Unobtrusively, and in his characteristically gentle and self abnegating manner, Bhagvant

Bhagwan Singh (1850 - 1902) born in the village of Marajh, now in district Bhatinda in 1850,has given the story of Heer a popular rural colour characteristic of the Malwa or the southern region of Punjab. It is written in the classical Kabit form in the Hindu tradition. Sohni

BHAGWAN SINGH GYANEE (d. 1962). prominent Ghadr leader, was born the son of Sarmukh Singh of the village of Varing, 15 km east of Tarn Taran in Amritsar district of the Punjab. Their ancestors, Kashmir! Brahmans, had migrated to the Punjab during the seventeenth century. Bhagwan Singh learnt Urdu

Bhagwant Singh (1926 - ) an eminent punjabi poet, was born in 1926. His poetry stems from the inhibited experiences of a frustrated middle class, and the axis which makes him conscious of the hollowness and hypocrisy revolving round it. He does not use the traditional regular metres but

BHAIRON, BHAI, a devout Sikh of the time of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644). Bhai Bhairon`s name occurs along With those of Sadh, Deva,Jhanda and Bidhia in a contemporary Persian work, Dabistani Mazahib. The author narrates an interesting anecdote to illustrate the Sikhs` belief in the One Unincarnated Supreme Being.

BHALENDRA SINGH, RAJA (1919-1992). distinguished cricketer and India`s long estlasting sports executive, was born on 19 August 1919, the son of Lieutenant General Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, the glamorous princely ruler of the state of Patiala in Southern Punjab. Brought up in the lap of luxury, Bhalendra Singh shot up

BHAN SINGH (d. 1917), a Ghadr activist, was the son of Savan Singh, of the village of Sunet, in Ludhiana district of the Punjab. As a young man, Bhan Singh migrated to Shanghai and then moved to America where he started taking interest in Ghadr activity. He was among

BHANA MALLAN, BHAI, and Bhai Rekh Rao, storekeepers of the Mughal governor at Kabul, were pious and devoted Sikhs of the time of Guru Arjan. Whatever they earned, they spent on feeding the needy Sikhs and others. Jealous of their generous hospitality, someone complained to the governor charging them

BHANA, BHAI (1536-1644), the youngest son of Baba Buddha, was born in the village of Katthu Nangal, in Amritsar district of the Punjab. Baba Buddha, blessed by Guru Nanak himself, was the most revered Sikh of his day. In his lifetime, he had had the privilege of anointing with

BHANA, BHAI, resident of Prayag (Allahabad), is listed by Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 31, among leading Sikhs of the time of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644). As recorded in Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, he asked the Guru to indicate the way to release. The Guru said, "Meditate always

BHANA, BHAI (1536-1644), the youngest son of Baba Buddha, was born in the village of Katthu Nangal, in Amritsar district of the Punjab. Baba Buddha, blessed by Guru Nanak himself, was the most revered Sikh of his day. In his lifetime, he had had the privilege of anointing with

BHANA, BHAI, of Sultanpur Lodhi, now in Kapurthala district of the Punjab, was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He once travelled with the sangat of his town to Amritsar and received the Guru`s blessing. SeeAKUL, BHAI, and BHIKHA, BHATT

BHANDARA SINGH, a shopkeeper of Sirhind, was a devotee of Guru Gobind Singh. According to Bhai Santokh Singh, Sn Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, he received the vows of the Khalsa on the historic Baisakhi day of 1699.

BHANGA SINGH (d. 1815), a prominent sardar of the Karorsinghia chief ship, seized in January 1764, after the fall of Sirhind, the parganah of Pehova along the bed of the River Sarasvati, 22 km west of Thanesar. Later he captured Thanesar leaving Pehova in the possession of his brother,

BHANI, BIBI (1535-1598), daughter of Guru Amar Das, consort of Guru Ram Das and mother of Guru Arjan Dev, was born to Mata Mansa Devi on 21 Magh 1591 Bk/19 January 1535 at Basarke Gillan, a village near Amritsar. She was married on 18 February 1554 to Bhai Jetha

BHANU BHAI, a Bahil Khatri of Rajmahal in the present Santhal Parganah of Bihar, was a devout Sikh of the time of Guru Hargobind. According to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, Bhai Bhanu once asked Guru Hargobind, "0 true king! Different religious books prescribe different paths to

BHANU, BHAI, a Sikh of Guru Arjan`s time, earned the sobriquet of Bhagat (devotee) for his piety and devotion. Guru Arjan appointed him to preach Guru Nanak`s word at Muzang, in Lahore. By his kirtan and exposition of the holy texts, Bhai Bhanu, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan

BHANU, BHAI, BhaiJattu, Bhai Nihalu and Bhai Tiratha, all Chaddha Khatris, were devoted Sikhs. Once they presented themselves before Guru Arjan to have a doubt resolved. They made obeisance to the Guru and said, "Lord, in one of your hymns there is a line: `He alone kills and He

BHARPUR SINGH, RAJA (1840-1863), born on 4 October 1840, replaced his father, Raja Devinder Singh, on the throne of Nabha state in January 1847 after he was removed by the British. During his minority, the state affairs were managed by his grandmother. Rani Chand Kaur. An enlightened ruler. Raja

BHARU, BHAI, a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Ram Das mentioned by Bhai Gurdas in his Varan, XI. 17. See PADARATH, BHAI

BHATTU, BHAI, a learned Tivari Brahman, is listed by Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 19, among the devoted Sikhs of the time of Guru Arjan. As records Bhai Man! Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, he once accompanied by Bhai Phirna Sud, Bhai Bholu and Bhai Jattu, visited the Guru and

BHAU MORAL, BHAI, a Mokal Khatri, was a devoted Sikh of Guru Arjan`s time. He was one of the sangat who once waited on the Guru and complained how some people were composing verses using Nanak as a pseudonym. According to Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, this

BHAVANI DAS, DlWAN (1770-1834), was the son of Diwan Thakur Das, revenue and finance minister of the Afghan king, Ahmad Shah Durrani. Bhavani Das succeeded to the position after the death of his father and served successively Shah Zaman, Shah Mahmud and Shah Shuja` until 1808 when Maharaja Ranjit

BHIKHA(pronounced as Bhikkha), BHATT. a Brahman bard of Sultanpur Lodhi in present day Kapurthala district of the Punjab, became a Sikh receiving the rites of initiation at the hands of Guru Amar Das. He lived up to the time of Guru Arjan to whom he introduced sixteen other Brahman

BHIKHAN (1480-1573), a medieval Indian saint two of whose hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. There are in fact two saints of that time sharing the same name Bhakta Bhikhan and Bhikhan the Sufi. Bhakta Bhikhan was a devotee in the tradition of Ravidas and Dhanna. His

BHIKHAN KHAN (d. 1688) was a Pathan who had served in the Mughal army before joining Guru Gobind Singh at Paonta Sahib on the recommendation of Pir Buddhu Shah of Sadhaura. He had one hundred soldiers under his command, but he crossed over to the hill rajas on the eve

BHIKHAN SHAH OR SHAH BHIKH, PIR, a seventeenth century Sufi saint, was born the son of Sayyid Muhammad Yusaf of Siana Sayyidari, a village 5 km from Pehova, now in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. For a time, he lived at Ghuram in present day Patiala district of the Punjab and

BHIKHARl, BHAI. Bhabra by caste, was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. He lived in the town of Gujrat. Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 30, lists him among prominent Sikhs of the time. He plied an honest trade, helped needy Sikhs and other holy men and recited

BHIM CHAND, ruler of Kahlur (Bilaspur), a princely state in the Sivaliks, from 1665-92. The family claimed descent from Chandel Rajputs of Bundelkhand. Bhim Chand`s father, Dip Chand, was a tributary of the Mughals and he was allowed to exercise nominal authority over twenty-two states in the hills including

BHIRAI, MAI, spelt by some chroniclers also as Bharai and Virai, who belonged to Matte di Sarai, the birthplace of Guru Arigad (1504-52), was married to Bhai Mahima, a Khahira Jatt of Khadur (Sahib) in Amritsar district of the Punjab. She was like a sister to Bhai Pheru Mall, the

BHIRAI, MATA, the maternal grandmother of Guru Nanak, was married to Rama of the village of Chahal, near Lahore. See RAMA. BABA

BHIVA, BHAI, and his brother, Rup Chand, businessmen of Sirhind, were devout Sikhs of the time of Guru Arjan. They lived honestly, celebrated the Sikh festivals, and entertained their brethren faith on such occasions. Once a Mughal came to deposit with them gold mohars hid in a hollow piece

BHOLU, BHAI, a Tivari Brahman, is mentioned in Bhai Gurdas, Varan , XI. 19, as a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. The Guru, as says Bhai Mani Singh, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala, once explained to him that Guru Nanak`s Guru was God himself, though he did

BHULLA, BHAI, and Bhai Kulla, both Jhanjhi Sunars, accompanied by Bhagirath, a Soini Khatri, presented themselves before Guru Arjan and begged to be instructed in the pious way. The Guru told them, always to act like gurmukhs, and not like manmukhs. The Guru, according to Sikhan di Bhagat Mala,

BHULLU, BHAI, a Sekhar Khatri who turned a mendicant, once waited upon Guru Arjan to seek instruction. He was accompanied by Bhai Nau, also a mendicant like him, Bhai Jattu, a Bhiva Khatri, and Bhai Mula. The Guru said neither action nor the world be shunned. What was important

BHUMA SINGH (d. 1746), a Dhillon Jatt of the village of Hung near Badhni, in present day Faridkot district of the Punjab, gathered power in men and money during Nadir Shah`s invasion of India in 1739. At the time of the death of Nawab Zakariya Khan, the Mughal governor

BHUP SINGH, SARDAR, remembered as Raja Bhup Singh in local lore, was the chief of the Sikh principality of Ropar, during the earlier half of the nineteenth century. Little is known about his life except that in 1808-09 he, along with Deva Singh, was in possession of Ropar and

BHUPAL SINGH, a son of the Gurkha general, Amar Singh Thapa, came to Lahore and took up service under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839). He became an officer in a battalion in the Sikh army under General Ventura. In 1838, Bhupal Singh returned to Nepal and was appointed to command

BHUPINDER SINGH, LIEUTENANTGENERAL MAHARAJA SIR (1891-1931), Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire, Knight of the Order of the British Empire, ruler of the Sikh state of Patiala, was one of the most colourful and

BHURIA, BHAI, a resident of Chunian now in Pakistan, was a pious Sikh contemporary of Guru Arjan (1563-1606). As the Guru was once touring the Nakka country, southwest of Lahore, succouring people then living through a severe famine, he according to Giani Gian Singh, Twarikh Guru Khalsa, came to

BIANCHI, an Italian engineer, who arrived at Lahore in Sikh times. According to the Khalsa Darbar payrolls, he served the Sikh State and was employed in 1835 as a road engineer on a salary of 9 rupees per day. He constructed a road from General Ventura`s house to the

BIDHI CHAND, a Khatri by birth, was a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Ram Das. Bhai Gurdas, in his Varan, XI. 17, describes him as a man "of clear intelligence and of thought undefiled." See MAHANAND, BHAI

BIDHI CHAND, BHAI (d. 1640). warrior as well as religious preacher of the time of Guru Hargobind, was a Chhina Jatt of the village of Sursingh, 34 km south of Amritsar (31° 37`N, 74° 52`E). His father`s name was Vassan and his grandfather`s Bhikkhi. His mother was from Sirhali,

BIKRAM SINGH BEDI, BABA (d. 1863), was the third and youngest son of Sahib Singh Bedi of Una, a lineal descendant of Guru Nanak. On Sahib Singh`s death in 1834, Bikram Singh suceeded to his father`s jagirs and position as preceptor to royal family of Lahore. After the deaths

BIKRAM SINGH, RAJA (1842-1898). born in January 1842, succeeded his father, Wazir Singh, to the throne of Faridkot state in 1874. A dominant figure in Faridkot history, Raja Bikram Singh modernized the state administration. He employed retired British officials of experience and in 1875 set up offices and courts

BIKRAMA SINGH, KANVAR (1835-1887), one of the pioneers of the Singh Sabha movement, was born in 1835. He was the son of Raja Nihal Singh of Kapurthala. As he grew up, he developed interest in classical learning and music. He received several honours and distinctions from the British government.

BINOD SINGH, a Trehan Khatri in direct descent from Guru Angad, Nanak II, was a devoted disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and was among the few Sikhs who accompanied him to the South in 1708. He was chosen to be one of the five companions of Banda Singh (1670-1716)

BIR SINGH, BABA (1768-1844), soldier become religious preacher and saint, was born in July 1768 at the village of Gaggobua, in Amritsar district of the Punjab, the son of Seva Singh and Dharam Kaur. After the death of his father in one of the campaigns against the Afghan rulers

BISHAN DAS. BHAL a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Ram Das, Nanak IV. His name is included in the roster of prominent Sikhs in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 17. See PURO, BHAI

BISHAN KAUR, mother of Mata Gujari and wife of Lal Chand, was a woman gifted with good looks and fortune. Both husband and wife were the devoted Sikhs of Guru Hargobind. They were among the guests assembled to witness the nuptial ceremonies of Suraj Mall, son of Guru Hargobind.

BISHAN SINGH (d. 1868) was like his father, Sultan Singh, in the Ghorcharha regiment of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In Maharaja Sher Singh`s time, he was placed in charge of the artillery park at Lahore. After the annexation of the Punjab by the British, Bishan Singh joined the 2nd Punjab

BISHAN SINGH, a general in the Sikh army, was the adopted son of Jamadar Khushal Singh, the royal chamberlain (deorhidar). He received his education at the Ludhiana Mission School across the AngloSikh frontier. In 1848, when stationed at Pind Dadan Khan, Bishan Singh was ordered to move his troops

BISHAN SINGH, GIANI (1875-1966), cleric and exegete, was a granthi or priest at the Khalsa College at Amritsar for 30 years. The Khalsa College was then a premier Sikh college excelling in research and publication in the field of Sikh studies. Four of the foremost Sikh scholars of this

BISHAN SINGH, SANT (1862-1949), much honoured in recent Sikh piety, was the son of Bhai Atar Singh of Kanjhia, a village 18 km northwest of Sarigrur (30°14`N, 75°50`E) in the Punjab. Born in March 1862, Bishan Singh received instruction in reciting Scripture from Sant Jagat Singh of his own

BISHAN SINGH, SANT (d. 1973), holy saint most of whose life was spent in works of seva, raising of buildings by labour volunteered by devotees, at different shrine sites, came of a well to do Sindhi family. Nothing is known about his early life except that his parents were

BODALA. BHAI, a Sikh of Burhanpur included by Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 30, in the roster of yrominent Sikhs of the time of Guru Hargobind. See BHAGVAN DAS, BHAI

BOTA SINGH (d. 1739), an eighteenth century martyr of the Sikh faith, belonged to the village of Bharana in Amritsar district. In those days of dire persecution, he along with many fellow Sikhs had sought the safety of wastes and jungles. At nightfall, he would come out of his

BOYLE, a French national, who, deserting the First European high Infantry, joined the Khalsa army in 1843. He was killed fighting against the British in the first AngIo Sikh war (1845-46).

BRAHM DAS, PANDIT, described in the Puratan Janam Sakhi as a learned man of Kashmir, is said to have been a resident of Bij Bihara, near Matan. Once Guru Nanak journeying through the valley halted close to where he lived. As Brahm Das, proud of his learning, heard of

BRIJ RAJ (d. 1833), a learned Pandit came to settle in Lahore in the latter half of the eighteenth century, was appointed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the position of raj purohit, or royal priest, which office he held till his death in 1833. The Maharaja and the court

BRIJINDAR SINGH, MAHARAJA (1896-1918), son of Kanvar Gajindar Singh, ascended the throne of Faridkot state in March 1906. He had his education at Aitchison College, Lahore. A council of regency headed by Sardar Bahadur Dyal Singh Man was appointed during his minority to carry on the administration. Brijindar Singh

BROADFOOT, GEORGE (1807-1845) Joined service of the East India Company as a cadet in the Madras Native Infantry in 1826. In May 1841, he went to Kabul in command of the escort which accompanied the families of Shah Shuja` and Zaman Shah. He took part in the first Afghan war

BROWN, JOHN, alias RICHARD POTTER, an Englishman, who, deserting the East Indian Company`s service in the Bengal artillery, came to Lahore and joined the Sikh artillery in 1826. He was later promoted colonel and placed in charge of the artillery depot at Lahore. During the first Anglo Sikh war, he

BUDDH SINGH (d. 1816), son of Khushhal Singh, nephew of the leader of the Dal Khalsa, Nawab Kapur Singh, succeeded his father as head of the Singhpuria misl. He inherited territories in the Bart Doab, the Jalandhar Doab and in the province of Sirhind. He built a fort at

BUDDH SINGH BAVA, an associate of Thakur Singh Sandhanvalia, who served as a link between him and his contacts in Punchh and Kashmir. He was the son of Faujdar Singh, a Khatri of Batala, in Gurdaspur district. He was first employed as a Sardar in Kashmir irregular force and

BUDDH SINGH MAN (d. 1856), son of Mana Singh, entered the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1816 as a khidmatgar (attendant). He rose to the command of 30 horse, and was given a.jagir worth 17,000 rupees. Later, he was promoted a colonel in General Court`s brigade. According to

BUDDH SINGH SANDHANVALIA (d. 1827), soldier wdjagirdar in the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was son of Amir Singh Sandhanvalia, his two brothers being the more famous Lahina Singh Sandhanvalia and Atar Singh Sandhanvalia. Buddh Singh entered the Maharaja`s service in 1811. The first independent command he held was

BUDDH SINGH. BABA (1819-1906), to his followers `Guru` Hari Singh, was the younger brother of Baba Ram Singh, founder of the Namdhari or Kuka movement. He was born on Assu sud73,1876 Bk/22 September 1819, the son of Bhai Jassa Singh and Mai Sada Kaur of Rilpur Raian (now Bhaini

BUDDH SINGH. BHAI (1903-1921), son of Bhai Surjan Singh and Mat Ganga Kaur was born on 4 January 1903 at village Kartarpur in Sialkot district. The family descended on the paternal side from Bhai Alam Singh Nachana, a prominent Sikh in Guru Gobind Singh`s retinue. Young Buddh Singh shared his

BUDDHA SINGH (d. 1718), great great grand father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was the founder of the Sukkarchakkia family. One of his ancestors, Bhara Mall, who lived in the village of Sukkarchakk, in Gujranwala district, now in Pakistan, had been initiated into the Sikh faith by the Seventh Guru,

BUDDHA SINGH (b. 1891), a Ghadr revolutionary, was son of Ishar Singh of the village of Sursingh, now in Amritsar district. He served in the Mule Battery at Bareilly but deserted and went to Shanghai, where he became a night watchman. He returned to India to take part in

BUDDHA SINGH, BHAI (d. 1774), a Brar Jatt who had seen the stirring days of Guru Gobind Singh, took part in January 1764 in the joint attack of Sikh sardars upon Sirhind. The town was seized from the Afghan governor, Zain Khan, who was killed in the action. Since

BUDDHA. BABA (1506-1631), a most venerated primal figure of early Sikhism, was born on 6 October 1506 at the village of Katthu Narigal, 18 km northeast of Amritsar (31° 36\'N, 74° 50\'E). Bura, as he was originally named, was the only son of Bhai Suggha, a Jatt of Randhava

BUDDHO, BHAI. a washerman of Sultanpur Lodhi, embraced Sikh faith in the time of Guru Amar Das, Over the years, he became reputed for his piety. He once visited Amritsar with the sangat of his town and received blessing from Guru Arjan. SeeAKUL. BHAI, and BHIKHA. BHATT

BUDDHU SHAH, PIR (1647-1704), a Muslim divine whose real name was Badr udDIn and who was an admirer of Guru Gobind Singh, was born on 13 June 1647 in a prosperous Sayyid family of Sadhaura, in present day Ambala district of Haryana. Because of his simplicity and silent nature during

BUDDHU, BHAI, a kiln owner of Lahore, whose name occurs in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI.25, among the prominent Sikhs of the time of Guru Arjan, once waited upon the Guru and begged to be instructed. The Guru said, "Commence any task you may be launching on after an ardas

BUDH SINGH, BAWA Budh Singh, Bawa (1878 - 1931) was a de-scendent of the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das. He was the son of Bawa Lehna Singh. He studied the elementary Persian in a mosque and then joined Mission School and passed his Matriculation Examination. During his school

BULA PANDHA, a learned Brahman of Dalla in present day Kapurthala district of the Punjab, called on Guru Amar Das as the latter once visited his village, and received the rites of initiation at his hands. One day Bhai Bula asked the Guru how he might serve the sangat,

BULA, BHAI, mentioned by Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 15, as one of the devoted Sikhs of the time of Guru Arigad. See DlPA, BHAI

BULA, BHAI, figures in Bhai Gurdas`s roster of prominent Sikhs of the time of Guru Ram Das, Varan, XI. 17. Bhai Gurdas describes him as Bula the Dealer in Truth. See DHARAM DAS, BHAl

BULAKA SINGH, an eighteenth century Sikh musician who recited the holy hymns. He lived in the village of Ghurani. in Ludhiana district. He was once humiliated by the local anathematized group who were the followers of Baba Ram Rai. To avenge the insult, hero and warrior Banda Singh Bahadur

BULAKI DAS was the masand or head of the Sikh sangat, at Dhaka, now capital of Bangladesh, during the third quarter of the seventeenth century. Dhaka had been visited by Guru Nanak at the beginning of the sixteenth century when a sangat had emerged in the town. During the

BUR SINGH (d. 1892). son of Ruldu Ram, appointed to do menial jobs first as an attendant in the household of Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s wife, Rani Mahtab Kaur, and then as a water carrier in Kanvar Sher Singh`s, carried out some of the confidential errands he was assigned to

BUR SINGH, BHAI (1896-1921), son of Bhai Mal Singh Kamboj and Mai As Kaur, of Chakk No. 80 Mula Singhvala, district Sheikhupura, was born on 10 Phagun 1952 Bk/22 February 1896. His parents originally belonged to village Bahoru in Amritsar district and had settled in the newly developed canal

BURN, LtCoL, who commanded British detachments at Deoband, now in Uttar Pradesh, led in 1804 an expedition against the cis Sutlej Sikh chiefs, Gurdit Singh ofLadva and Karnal, Sher Singh of Buna, Rai Singh of Jagadhri, Jodh Singh of Kalsia and Mahtab Singh of Thanesar, who had fought against

BURNES, SIR ALEXANDER (1805-1841), British traveller, explorer and writer, was born on 16 May 1805. He joined Bombay infantry in 1821. Upon his arrival in India, he devoted himself to the study of the local languages and was, while still an ensign, selected for the post of regimental interpreter. In

BUTA SINGH, DIWAN (b. 1826) .journalist, printer and one of the last employees of the Sikh royal household, was born the son of Gurdial Singh at Lahore in 1826. He was a man of wealth and influence, being the owner of a chain of printing presses. In his earlier