GURUSHABAD RATANAKAR MAHAN KOSH, more popularly known by its shorter title Mahan Kosh, the great dictionary, by the celebrated man of letters and lexicographer, Bhai Kahn Singh, of Nabha, is a work unexcelled for its neatness and refinement of expression and monumental in its scope and size. It would indeed do justice to the title “Encyclopaedia.” It is amazing how an individual conceived and planned a work of such a vast dimension and how he accomplished it single handed in a single lifetime.
For the Punjabi world of learning, the Mahdn Kosh has been a real boon and generations of scholars have been nurtured on the inspiration and the literary energy and thought it has supplied. The style is a model of definitiveness of concept, tight and crisp, an essential requirement of encyclopedic writing. Arranged in alphabetical order of the Gurmukhi script, the Mahdn Kosh carries 64, 263 entries, which include words that occur in the Sikh canon, religious as well as historical. The author launched upon his research in the course of a study of two existing volumes, Pandit Tara Singh Narotam`s Granth Guru Girdrth Kos (1895) and Hazara Singh`s Sri Guru Granth Kos (1899).
He realized that a lexicographical work containing words occurring in Sikh historical texts as well as vocables in the Guru Granth Sahib could be of great value in promoting literary and critical studies in Punjabi. He made a very minute investigation ploughing through the entire corpus. He resigned his appointment in the Nabha state government on 10 May 1912 to initiate the project. It took him about fourteen years to carry out the gigantic task he had set himself. He had the satisfaction of witnessing the consummation of his extraordinary industry on 6 February 1926.
Maharaja Brijindar Singh of Faridkot, who had undertaken to have the work printed and who claimed experience of patronizing this kind of scholarly enterprise, the first ever commentary on the Guru Granth Sahib having been published in his state and the fourth and last volume of which was published in his own time, had died in 1918. Bhai Kahn Singh`s erstwhile patron Maharaja Ripudaman Singh, ofNabha, had problems with the British authority and had eventually to abdicate his throne in 1923. In this situation, Maharaja Bhupindcr Singh of Patiala came forward to help the project and offered to underwrite the entire expenditure on printing.
The printing of the work started on 26 October 1927 at Sudarshan Press, Amritsar, owned by the popular Punjabi poet, Dhani Ram Ghatrik. The printing was completed on 13 April 1930. After the first edition (1930) which came out in four volumes, the Mahdn Kosh was published by the Languages Department of Punjab, Patiala, in a single volume. This edition has since been reproduced0 three times, the last edition coming out in 1981. Each of the entries in the Mahdn Kosh has been treated comprehensively. Its etymology and different meanings according to its usage at different places in different works have been recorded along with textual quotations.
The work includes more than 7,000 words of Perso Arabic origin. These words, as well as those of Sanskrit origin, have been reproduced in their respective scripts to bring to the readers their correct pronunciation and exact connotation. The names of geographical places, especially those claiming historical gurudwaras, have been dealt with the same care and attention to detail. The legends about each of the gurudwaras and its location have been recorded. Illustrations and maps have been added in the case of major places of pilgrimage.
These Sikh shrines were visited by an investigator who recorded the details under the advice and the guidance of the author. The work also contains entries on trees and herbs. Their botanical Latin equivalents have also been provided. Besides, there are entries on diseases, medicines, as also on terms from philosophy, music, prosody and rhetoric. Appropriate quotations and illustrations have been provided from works on religion, history, geography, science, medicine and language.
References to the Vcdas, the Bible, the Quran, and other religious texts have been carefully traced. Different religions and their sects and their specialized terms and symbols are dealt with in appropriate detail. About historical and biographical works, accuracy and precision have been the criteria. Sikh chronicles written up to the middle of the nineteenth century have been dealt with in detail. D.S. GUTHRIE, an Englishman and a deserter from British army. He joined the Sikh army in 1843, serving only for a few months.
References :
1. Grey, C., European Adventurers of Northern India, 1785 to 1849. Patiala, 1970
The Comprehensive Mahan Kosh Dictionary—more fully known as Gurushabad Ratanakar Mahan Kosh—is a monumental work in Sikh literature and lexicography. Compiled by the celebrated Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha of Nabha, this dictionary is renowned for its astonishing scope, refinement of expression, and encyclopedic breadth. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this work so significant:
An Encyclopedic Marvel
The Mahan Kosh is far more than a mere dictionary. Arranged in the order of the Gurmukhi script, it contains over 64,263 entries that include words found in both the Sikh canon and historical texts. Its vast range covers terms that span the spiritual, religious, and historical dimensions of Sikh thought. Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha conceived and executed this task at a time when clear definitions and standardized interpretations were essential for preserving the Sikh literary heritage. Its breadth and detail have rightly earned it the reputation of an encyclopaedia in its own right .
Historical Context and Methodology
Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha embarked on this colossal project after drawing insights from earlier lexicographical efforts, including Pandit Tara Singh Narotam’s Granth Guru Girdrth Kos (1895) and Hazara Singh’s Sri Guru Granth Kos (1899). Recognizing the need for a comprehensive resource that encompassed both the Sikh scriptures and historical treatises, he resigned from his government post to dedicate himself fully to the project. Over approximately fourteen years, he meticulously researched and compiled entries, a feat that culminated in 1926. The care with which each term is defined—often accompanied by illustrative quotations and historical context—ensures that the reader gains not only a linguistic definition but also an understanding of its doctrinal and cultural significance .
Impact on Sikh Scholarship and Cultural Heritage
For generations, the Mahan Kosh has been a cornerstone of academic study and religious scholarship within the Punjabi and global Sikh community. Scholars, educators, and students have relied on it to navigate the complexities of Sikh language and theology. Its precise definitions and methodical commentary have fostered critical studies and enriched the understanding of Sikh heritage, making it an indispensable tool in both research and education. In essence, the Mahan Kosh has nurtured generations of scholars, providing clarity and continuity to Sikh studies by bridging centuries of linguistic and cultural evolution .
Legacy and Continuing Relevance
The enduring appeal of the Comprehensive Mahan Kosh Dictionary lies in its dual role as a historical document and a living reference work. Despite being conceived in the early 20th century, its meticulously curated entries continue to resonate with modern readers. Through reprints and sustained scholarly engagement, the work remains a dynamic resource, testifying to its timeless value in preserving and communicating the intellectual and spiritual heritage of Sikhism.
The Mahan Kosh Dictionary stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha. It illuminates the rich lexicon of Sikh thought with a clarity and depth that continues to inspire and educate today.
