Gangushahi Sikhs

Exploring the Origin, Interaction, and Evolution of Gangushahis in Sikh Society

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Guru Amar Das, watercolour on paper, by Bodhraj (Mutual Art).

The Gangushahi Sikhs are an obscure Sikh sect concentrated mainly in the Bist Doab region of the Punjab and Shivalik region of Himachal Pradesh. They follow a Sikh of Guru Amar Das, namely Gangu Das alias Gangu Shah and have practices that differ from mainstream Sikhism. Little is known about the Gangushahis however they find mention within 19th-century and 20th-century Sikh and non-Sikh sources alike. By examining the early historiography concerning Gangushahis, the article establishes the sect's development and how they were understood. Then, this article presents the sect's origins and how it established itself during the time of Guru Amar Das. Next, it will look at the sect’s interactions with the mainstream Sikhs, particularly with Tat Khalsa. Finally, this article will discuss their development in the context of Sikh society, as well as the traditions and practices of the community.

“Claiming themselves to be capable of bestowing wealth and prosperity on people, [the Gangushahis] attempted to wean away the Sikhs from Khalsa Panth towards themselves.”

— Rattan Singh Bhangu, Sri Gur Panth Parkash

INTRODUCTION

Historical Sikh sources briefly mention the little-known sect. The Sri Gur Panth Parkash by Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu is the first to acknowledge the Gangushahi Sikhs. Two narrative episodes are dedicated to the Gangushahis. However, they are grouped alongside other Sikh sects that were excommunicated by the Khalsa such as the Bandai Khalsa, Gulab Rais, and Ram Rais. Firstly, the Gangushahi conflicted with the Tat Khalsa, but the Khalsa emerged victorious. Next, the origins of the Gangushahi were explained. Bhangu’s sequence of presenting these episodes suggests he aimed to establish the Khalsa as the supreme authority. He reprimanded the Gangushahis, not for apostasy, but for heresy committed by the Gangushahi leader and his followers. Since the narrative is oriented toward the audience of the time, it may come across as harsh but was reflective of the Khalsa claim to authority.

The great poet Santokh Singh’s Gurpratap Suraj Granth includes a detailed and poetic narration of the Gangushahi Sikhs. Although the account is similar to the Panth Parkash, the text has a different purpose. Therefore, the focus is mainly on the story of Gangu Shah and Guru Amar Das, with less emphasis on the Khalsa. Additionally, Mahant Ganesha Singh compiled Bharat Mat Darpan in 1926, which records information about various religious sects and orders in India. In this, he provides an overview of the Gangushahiye which largely relies on the earlier renditions. Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha’s Mahan Kosh also mentions the Gangushahi Sikhs and refers back to the Panth Parkash as a source.

There are a handful of non-Sikh sources that mention the Gangushahiye. As of writing this, the earliest source does not explicitly mention the Gangushahis, but it references one of the religious heads of the sect in 1883.¹ Direct mentions of the Gangushahi sect are made in an 1891 Census report conducted by the British. Additionally, Captain Falcon’s 1896 publication The Handbook on Sikhs translated a Rehitnama which lists the Gangushahiye amongst Minia, Dhirmalia, Ram Raia, Masands, Jains, and Kurimars, as those excommunicated by the Guru. In the same publication, Baba Khem Singh Bedi’s Rehitnama is shared which also advises Sikhs not to associate with Gangushahiye. They are mentioned again in census reports and also in a 1911 glossary dealing with the tribes and castes of the Punjab and North-West frontier province.

The Gangushahis are mentioned in several encyclopedic entries later on. Their origin and excommunication are usually discussed.

Gangushahi: A Sikh sect founded by Gangu or Gangdas, a Basi Khatri of Garshankar. Sikh history relates that he presented four pice weight of Gur—all his world wealth—to his Guru, Amardas, and was sent to preach in the hill country. He founded a shrine in Daun near Kharar, and his great-grandson, Jowahir Singh, founded one of still greater fame at Khatkar Kalan in Jullandhar. Mahi Bhagat of Mahisar was another celebrated leader of this sect. The Gangushahis posses Guru Amar Das’ bed and having refused iniation from Guru Govind Singh were excommunicated by him.²

ORIGINS

Mahant Ganesha Singh provides an overview of the origins of the Gangushahiye sect:

A poor man named Gangu Khatri came to serve the third Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji. He harboured a desire to become one with [Satguru’s] name. When he reached Sri Guru Ji, there was a large congregation, and worship was being done abundantly. In such a state, seeing the Sikh, he who knows every heart, Sri Guru Ji called him and asked, ‘Who are you?’ After paying his respects with a modest offering of four coins, he shared his story. Pleased, Sri Guru Ji granted him a Manji (a seat of respect) [for the propagation of Sikhi]. He was then established in a place called ‘Dauo Pind’ near the town of Kharag. He became a Sikh preacher in the region east of the Satluj river, and his influence grew. After his passing, a village called ‘Kago’ was established in the Doaba region.

People still believe that to this day, the Mela still grows, whoever is upon this Gaddi is of great strength. On this Gaddi Jawahar Singh has become a great Siddh Pir, serving the entire mountainous region. Now, Sunder Singh is the leader. Stretching from Jauharsar, Pinjore, and other villages to the kingdom of Nahan all are Sikh, and worship is flourishing. Here, even the lame are provided food, and there is no consideration of whether one is initiated into the Khalsa or has shorn their hair; reverence for the Gaddi is [considered] Sikhism. [Thus,] Gangu becoming a great preacher, they are called Gangushahiye.

INTERACTIONS

In the period following Guru Gobind Singh’s death, schisms within the Sikhs arose concerning the Guruship. Several claimants were vying for the powerful Gur-Gaddi (Guruship) of Guru Gobind Singh, leading to the emergence of the Tat Khalsa who did not accept any living Guru after the death of the tenth. In traditional Sikh thought, the Tat Khalsa won several bouts of strength, including one with the Bandai Khalsa, followers of Banda Singh Bahadur. However, the Tat Khalsa also confronted a Gangushahi Gaddi holder by the name of Kharak Singh. Despite his name, Kharak Singh did not formally adhere to the Khalsa initiation process of Khande Ki Pahul and opted instead for the administration of his own Charan Pahul. After the death of Guru Gobind Singh, Kharak Singh supposedly claimed that the Panth had been “widowed,” implying that he must now take the Gaddi and lead the Panth. Kharak Singh’s inappropriate statement became the basis of the initial excommunication, his claim for Guruship put him at odds with the Tat Khalsa.

Bhangu narrates that a Singh married a daughter from a Gangushahi family. Though he did not have any desire to accumulate wealth, he did want a male heir. Therefore, he and his wife decided to host 5 Singhs, offering them Langar, and concluding with an Ardaas. However, before the couple’s plan could be executed, it just so happened that the In-laws of the Singh also wanted to meet him. They met Kharak Singh along the way and he came along. Kharak Singh demanded that the Singh partake in his Charan-Pahul, and then claimed all the food shall be consumed by himself. Sadly, the wife threatened suicide if her husband did not follow the ways of the Gangushahi. The in-laws further threatened the Singh. Bhangu goes on to write, [the] “Gurusikh was caught between the devil and the deep sea.”

This infuriated the Tat Khalsa, and specifically Mehar Singh. They now wanted to engage in a conflict, with the belief that only one of the groups would survive. Their swords were drawn out however, the confrontation did not turn physical as the elders advised against this.³

The Durbars of the hill states are recorded to have welcomed the Gangushahi leaders Kharak Singh, Balram Das, and Jawahar Singh. Furthermore, gazetteers refer to Kharak Singh as having assisted in disputes concerning successors to the hill state thrones. Although the hill states historically, were at odds with the Khalsa, and went to war against Guru Gobind Singh.

Ram Sukh Rao’s Shri Jassa Singh Binod Granth provides a comprehensive account of Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia’s life and sheds light on the distribution of Jagirs by the Khalsa Sardar. According to Rao, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia granted the Gangushahi Sikhs Dharmarth Jagirs of five villages, even though they were not strictly following the Sikh conduct and were excommunicated by the Khalsa earlier. One explanation is that this decision was made keeping in mind the weaker numerical strength of the Sikhs against the Afghans and Mughals. The shrewd Sardar, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia aimed to unite them under a common banner to strengthen the Khalsa’s position against the common enemy.

For a brief period, the Hill States lost several Parganas or subdivisions to other adjoining states. The Patiala state received a Pargana near Chandigarh where Johadji or Joharji was situated. Maharaja Narendra Singh, who ruled Patiala from 1845 to 1862, is said to have patronized the Gangushahi Gurdwara of Johadji. History, mythology, and faith are intertwined at this spot, shedding light on how Gangushahis were treated throughout history. It is claimed that Gangu Shah’s great-grandson, Jawahar Singh defeated a cannibal named Miya. According to the 1960s Himachal Gazetteer, Gangushahi Balram Das, a predecessor to Jawahar Singh, is credited with overcoming Miya. Despite conflicting stories about this claim, it is most likely that this is due to a mistake in oral transmission because the earlier British accounts all place Jawahar Singh in the folklore.

As mentioned in a previous article, the ancestors of Shaheed Bhagat Singh were the Jagirdars of Khatkar Kalan, a fortified village in Doaba. For centuries, they upheld a feudal chieftainship, eventually embracing Sikhi and subsequently, were initiated into the Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh. In recognition of the ancestors’ service to the Khalsa, they were handsomely patronized under Maharaja Ranjit Singh and given Jagirs. A Nishan Sahib was raised and the beautiful Jhanda Ji Gurdwara complete with a Sarovar was created, marking Khatkar Khalan Jhanda Ji as a revered yet rustic display of Khalsa Sardari. Bhagat Singh’s ancestors upheld the patronage out of their devotion to the faith and uncompromising Sikh nationalism. Therefore, Sikhs from all over Doaba and nearby regions congregated here in large numbers, four times a year, to undertake, and participate in, the Nishan Sahib Seva. [Buried Alive, Ajit Singh]

Intriguingly, this Khalsa Sardari was shortlived as Jawahar Singh decided to make Jhanda Ji his Dera. According to popular folklore, the Gangushahi leader attempted to set up his base here, however, the villagers violently retaliated at first and denied Jawahar Singh’s desire. Eventually, the Anglo-Sikh wars broke out and Bhagat Singh’s ancestors alongside the Jagirdari Fauj fought in the wars. After the annexation of Punjab, the Sikh nationalist ethos underwent significant negative changes. In this context, the vacuum gave way to Jawahar Singh who then established his Dera and slowly introduced the Gangushahi way to the village. A report from 1883-1884 showed that devotees congregated in numbers nearing 25,000 to celebrate the Mela of Jawahar Singh. This number comprised devotees mostly from the Doaba region of the Punjab and the nearby hilly region.⁴

EVOLUTION

The Gangushahi Sikhs are still little-known to the average Sikhs. The sect is currently spread out in northern India with various centres dedicated to their leaders. Currently, they are well-mixed within normal Sikh society and the excommunication seems to be largely forgotten by everyone, except for a few well-versed in Sikh history. It should be noted that at their Deras, the Ardaas is carried out with the names of the Gangushahi leaders. They also do not partake in the Pahul ceremony, despite keeping unshorn hair.

1. Gazetteer Of The Jalandhar District 1883-84.

2. A glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and North-West frontier province, 1911 by Rose, H. A. (Horace Arthur), 1867-1933; Ibbetson, Denzil, Sir, 1847-1908; Maclagan, Edward Douglas, Sir, b. 1864.

3. Read Panth Parkash for more information.

4. Gazetteer Of The Jalandhar District 1883-84