SHIV RAM (b. 1418), grandfather of Guru Nanak, was the son of Ram Narain, a Bedi Khatri. He and his wife, Banarasi, lived in a village called Patthevind, now the site of Gurdwara Dera Sahib, 10 km east of Naushahra Pannuan in present day Amritsar district of the Punjab. Two sons, Kalu and Lalu, were born to them the former in 1440 and the latter in 1444. The elder, Baba Kalu, variously mentioned by chroniclers as Mahita Kalu, Kalian Rai, Kalu Rai, Kalu Chand or Kalian Chand, was the father of Guru Nanak.
Sometime during the middle of the fifteenth century, the family shifted to Talvandi Rai Bhoi Ki, now Nankana Sahib in Sheikhupura district of Pakistan, where Shiv Ram became a patvari or village rent collector for the local chief, Rai Bular, a descendant of Rai Bhoi the Bhatti noble whose name the village commemorated.
References :
1. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35
2. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Guru Khalsa [Reprint]. Patiala, 1970
3. Kohli, S.S., ed., Janam Sakhi Bhai Bala. Chandigarh, 1975
4. Vir Singh, Bhai, ed., Puratan Janam Sakhi. Amritsar,
5. McLeod, W.H., tr., The B40 Janam-sakhi. Amritsar, 1980
The legacy of Shiv Ram is a foundational chapter in the ancestral story of Guru Nanak, providing both historical context and spiritual significance to the roots of Sikhism. According to longstanding Sikh hagiographies, Shiv Ram (born in 1418) was the son of Ram Narain, a member of the Bedi Khatri community. His life is chronicled in various Janamsakhis—narratives that detail the early life and lineage of Guru Nanak—and he is revered as an important formative figure in setting the stage for Guru Nanak’s later revolutionary spiritual teaching.
Genealogical and Socio-cultural Context
Shiv Ram, along with his wife Banarasi, lived in Pattihevind, a village located in what is now the Amritsar district of Punjab. Their life was marked by roles typical of the era—firmly rooted in local social and administrative systems. Shiv Ram’s position as an ancestor who served as the family’s point of continuity (with later roles such as a patvari or village rent collector for the local chief, Rai Bular) underscores the strong sense of duty and community that pervaded his era. This background not only provided stability in an ever-changing societal structure but also seeded the values of integrity, service, and social cohesion that would echo in Guru Nanak’s teachings. His son, more commonly known as Baba Kalu (born in 1440), became the direct link in the lineage that led to Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
Spiritual and Symbolic Legacy
Beyond the historical details, the story of Shiv Ram serves as a symbolic narrative in Sikh tradition. For many, his life is seen as emblematic of the convergence between traditional Punjabi cultural values and the evolving spirit of the time—a spirit that would eventually transform into the radical message of equality and devotion preached by Guru Nanak. His ancestry has been celebrated in the Sikh tradition not just as a matter of lineage, but as a source of inspiration, reminding the faithful that even within the bounds of societal roles, the seeds of spiritual awakening and social reform can be sown.
Enduring Relevance
For Sikhs today, Shiv Ram’s story holds dual relevance. It is a reminder of the human heritage from which Guru Nanak emerged, anchoring the spiritual leader in a tangible, relatable history. At the same time, it highlights the transformative journey from a conventional administrative background to a universal message of compassion and inclusivity. This narrative invites reflection on how historical and familial legacies can influence—and be transcended by—a visionary commitment to social justice and spiritual unity.
