RUP CHAND, BHAI

RUP CHAND, BHAI, like his brother, Bhai Bhiva, was a businessman of Sirhind and a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Arjan. His name occurs in Bhai Gurdas, Varan, XI. 26. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 Mani Singh, Bhai, Sikhan di Bhagat Mala. Amritsar, 1955 2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35 T.S. RUP CHAND, BHAI (1614-1709), ancestor of the Bhai family of Bagarian, was born in 1614, the son of Bhai Sadhu and Mai Surti, a carpenter couple of Tuklani village in Faridkot district. Sadhu was a follower of Sakhi Sarwar, a Muslim pir, variously called Lakhdata or Lalanvala, who enjoyed considerable popularity and influence in the area. Sadhu`s wife professed the Sikh faith and she was able to persuade her husband once to accompany her to see Guru Hargobind who was on a visit to Darauli Bhai, near Tuklani. No sooner had Bhai Sadhu set his eyes upon the Guru than he felt deeply moved and was converted. The couple received the Guru`s blessings. After some time they again visited Darauli with their firstborn son whom the Guru named Rup Chand.

When during 1631 Guru Hargobind was again travelling through the Malva country, he met Bhai Rupa, as Rup Chand was commonly called, near the village of Gumati in Bathinda district. The latter, then barely sixteen, was working in the fields along with his father. He served cold water to the Guru. The Guru was pleased to receive the refreshment and he encouraged the father and son to lay the foundation of their own village. The new village, about 5 km to the east of Gumati, was called Bhai Rupa. Bhai Rup Chand became a widely respected preacher of the Sikh faith in the Malva region.

As his end approached, he established a gurudwara in honour of Guru Hargobind at Bhai ki Samadh or Samadh Bhai village to commemorate the Guru`s visit. Bhai Rup Chand died there on Savan vadi 1,1766 Bk/28 May 1709. It is his own samddh here which gives the village its name. Bhai Rup Chand had seven sons of whom two, Dharam Singh and Param Singh, received the rites of the Khalsa at the hands of GU.U Gobind Singh at Damdama Sahib (Talvandi Sabo) and accompanied the Guru during his journey further to the South. After some time the Guru advised them to return to the Punjab and preach the Guru`s word. Bagarian family is descended from Bhai Dharam Singh.

References :

1. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Guru Khalsa. Patiala, 1970
2. Kahn Singh, Gurushabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh. Patiala, 1981