GURUMUKHI DIN PATRI, lit. a calendar or daily diary (patn) in Gurmukhi characters, is a manuscript reporting some of the events of Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s reign from AD 1805 onwards. The author is one Ram Singh, perhaps a resident of Amritsar, for he narrates events occurring at Amritsar in greater detail than those at other places. A photo copy of this manuscript, the original of which was at the Panjab University, Lahore, is preserved in the Khalsa College, Amritsar, under MS. No 1796. It contains 51 folios, i.e. 102 pages, each page comprising 14 lines.
On the very first page are mentioned five of the marriages of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, including the one with Rani Jindari, mother of Maharaja Duleep Singh.It was on the Holiday of 1860 Bk/AD 1803 that Maharaja Ranjit Singh received Jasvant Rao Marhatta [Maratha] at Amritsar where they exchanged turbans, betokening that they had become brothers from that day. The entry further reads : “Marhattas did a good deal of shopping, and hence traders of Amritsar benefited to a very great extent. The Guru himself is the saviour of Amritsar and he saved the honour of the city in the matter of supplies and variety, at which the Marhattas were really amazed.” To give an idea of the Marhattas` wealth, their elephants are described as having gold chains.
According to some other entries, Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Karigra in 1856 Bk/AD 1799, finally occupying it in 1874 Bk. Prince Kharak Singh, son of Ranjit Singh, was married to Chand Kaur in 1868 Bk/AD 1811. The Maharaja died in 1896 Bk/ AD 1839 and four queens and seven maids burnt themselves on his pyre. The cause? This is what the Patri says: “The Maharaja had a meeting in December January with the English and took English wine. He was rendered incapable of speech the next month and died in that condition six months later.”
The diary ends with the AngloSikh war of 1902 Bk/AD 1845-46. However, the last pages contain bits of miscellaneous information. It is recorded that the construction of Akal bungd continued until 1906 Bk/AD 1849. We also have the dates of death of Fateh Singh Ahluvalia (1908 Bk/AD 1851), Gu|jar Singh Bharigi, Sahib Singh Bharigi and Sahib Singh Bedi. At the end is appended a horoscope of the Maharaja.
Gurumukhi Din Patri: Glimpses of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Era, a remarkable historical manuscript that offers rare insights into the day‐to‐day events and socio-political life during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign.
Overview and Purpose
Gurumukhi Din Patri—literally “a daily diary (or calendar) in Gurmukhi characters”—is a manuscript that records a variety of events from the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh starting from around AD 1805. Its narrative is presented in the straightforward, yet poetic, registers of the Gurmukhi script to capture both the grand and everyday moments of the era. The text functions simultaneously as a historical record and a cultural document, providing eyewitness details and unique local perspectives on rulership, commerce, and family life in the Sikh heartland.
Compilation and Manuscript Details
- Authorship and Origin:
The diary was composed by one Ram Singh—likely a resident of Amritsar, given that events in that city receive special emphasis. His intimate familiarity with local happenings helped him record details with a precision that distinguishes this work from other historical accounts. - Manuscript Format:
The document comprises 51 folios (equivalent to 102 pages), with each page containing 14 lines. Originally held at the Panjab University, Lahore, the manuscript has since been preserved in the Khalsa College, Amritsar (MS. No. 1796). This structured format not only reflects the disciplined chronicle of daily observations but also underscores the care taken in its compilation. Content and Key Historical Events
Gurumukhi Din Patri offers a window into multiple dimensions of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s era:
- Royal Ceremonies and Marriages:
One of the early entries details the matrimonial alliances of the Maharaja, including at least five marriages—such as the union with Rani Jindari, the mother of Maharaja Duleep Singh. The recording of these personal events alongside state affairs illustrates how royal alliances were integral to both governance and social structure. - Political Alliances and Diplomacy:
The diary narrates intriguing interactions, such as the celebrated meeting with Jasvant Rao Marhatta. In one entry, Maharaja Ranjit Singh is described as exchanging turbans with the Maratha guest—a symbolic gesture signaling fraternal bonds. The text further hints at the economic impact of such alliances, describing how local traders in Amritsar benefited from the ensuing exchange and commerce. - Military Campaigns and Territorial Conquests:
Detailed accounts include the Maharaja’s campaigns against regional powers such as in Karigra, where entries mark both initial conquests and subsequent consolidation of control. These passages serve to contextualize the military strategies and territorial ambitions characteristic of his reign. - Cultural and Diplomatic Intrigues:
Some entries even venture into the more nuanced aspects of court life and personal habits. For instance, there is commentary regarding an incident wherein a meeting with English representatives and the consumption of English wine is linked to the Maharaja’s subsequent health deterioration—a glimpse into the complex interplay of indigenous traditions and emerging global influences. - Miscellaneous Episodes:
The diary concludes with references to broader historical events, including details related to the Anglo-Sikh War (noted around AD 1845–46) and later records of construction projects such as the building of Akal Bungd. The final pages even include a horoscope of the Maharaja, reinforcing the document’s function as a multi-purpose chronicle of both event and omen. Cultural and Historical Significance
Gurumukhi Din Patri is more than an archival record—it is a portal into the ways in which daily remembrance, ritual, and observation were intertwined with governance in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Punjab:
- Eyewitness Testimony:
As a primary source document, it provides raw, unmediated accounts of significant events. Such details have worked to enrich modern understandings of Ranjit Singh’s policy decisions, diplomatic encounters, and even personal predilections. - Integration of Personal and Political Narratives:
The diary’s blend of royal ceremonies, personal genealogies, and political episodes illustrates how personal identity and statecraft were interwoven. This approach has helped scholars appreciate the multi-layered nature of Sikh rulership during this period. - Preservation of Local Histories:
Its preservation in institutions like Khalsa College underlines the cultural value placed on such manuscripts. They serve as enduring reminders of how regional narratives contribute to the grand tapestry of Sikh history, offering valuable context that complements the more formal accounts found in state archives or literary works.
Gurumukhi Din Patri: Glimpses of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Era stands as a vital document for historians and devotees alike—one that captures the pulse of an era through the meticulous recording of daily affairs, personal milestones, and momentous events. Its unique format, detailed entries, and integration of cultural symbolism provide a rich resource for understanding not only the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh but also the broader sociopolitical and cultural dynamics of early 19th-century Punjab.