GURBILASBABA SAHIB SINGH BEDI, by Bhai Sobha Ram belonging to the Sevapanthi order, is a versified account of the life of Baba Sahib Singh Bedi, a descendant of Guru Nanak. The voluminous work, four manuscript copies of which one each at the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; Punjabi University, Patiala; Moti Bagh Palace, Patiala; and Punjab Archives Department, Patiala are known to exist, has since been published (1988) by the Punjabi University. Sahib Singh Bedi is presented in this work as a saint, profound scholar, warrior, statesman, social reformer, and a religious leader.
The tone generally is hagiographical, and much store is set by the Baba`s supernatural powers. The poet, in fact, endeavours to cast him as the incarnation of Guru Gobind Singh, and appropriates some of the incidents from the life of the Guru to embellish the career of his hero. The Gurbilds makes up for its lapses as a work of history by the wealth of detail it accumulates about the social life of the Punjab of that day. Worthy of special notice are the poet`s descriptions of marriage ceremonies, songs and feasts and of the dowry system then prevalent.
References :
1. Nara, Ishar Singh, Raja jogi arthat jivan Itihas Sn Btiha Sahib Singh Ji Bedi. Delhi, n.d.
2. Gurmukh Singh, cd., Gurbilas Baba Sahib Singh Bedi. Patiala, 1988
