The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism
throughout Sikh History
Page 1 of 1
Brindaban
Matt
Time of origin: mid 1800s
In 1825, in household of Dalvali Singh and
MahamaiI Kaur in Agra, was born Brindaban.
He was the younger brother of the founder of
the Radhasoami sect of Sikhism,
Shivdiyal Singh (for more information on Radhasoamis,
click here).
Brindaban learnt his early spiritual knowledge
from Sant Kanh Singh Nirmala.
Brindban took to the avid study of Adi Guru
Durbar.
Agra
City of the Taj Mahal, and birthplace of Brindaban
In time he sought out Baba Amir Chand
Bedi, and took ‘Gurmantra’
of ‘Vaeh-Guru’
from him. Brindaban adopted Baba Amir as ‘Guru’
(Spiritual guide) as was the Nirmala tradition.
Brindaban himself built up a following over
time. The ‘Sadhus’
(holy men) of the Brindaban order wore yellow
robes. Some amongst them kept uncut hair others
cut their hair. Brindaban also authored a number
of books. He called his Samparda (order) ‘Biharbrindaban
Nanakshahi’. In 1979, a privately
published Agra Radhasoami book called ‘Bhaktmal
of Radhasoami Faith’, by S. D.
Maheshwari states that Brindaban acknowledged
Akali Guru Nanak as ‘Guru’.
These words are attributed to Brihdaban:
‘I salute and pay
obeisance to my beloved Nanak Saheb’.
Radhasoami
Radhasoami temple at Agra under construction
Against mainstream Nirmala belief, Brindaban
also believed that Akali Guru Nanak had incarnated
in him. Pundit Ganesha Singh Nirmala
states that Baba Atal Singh became a prominent
disciple of Brindaban. Through his own charisma
and the ardor of such keen followers, Brindaban
managed to establish a strong ‘Akhara’
(school) which use to march in the ‘Kumbh’
(procession) of Pragh alongside the Nirmala
Akharas.
Akali Guru Nanak Dev Ji
A scene described in the 'Janam Sakhis' of the
first Sikh Guru
attending school under the guidance of Jai Ram,
circa late 19th century
Brindaban died in 1876 and his mausoleum was
made in Ayodhya. His funeral was attended by
two of his disciples both named Sharan
Das. The ‘Brindabanieh’
had faith in Sikhism and in general, according
to Pundit Ganesha Singh, followed Nirmala traditions.
Other historians paint a different picture
of Bihrindaban. In 1979, another privately published
book named ‘Bhaktmal of Radhasoami
Faith’, by S. D. Maheshwari (published
by Agra Soami Bagh), it states that Brindaban
was regarded as incarnation of Jesus by the
simple village folk. This perception was due
to the fact that he had begun to dress up as
a European, and spoke English whilst spreading
his message.
The Battle of Aliwal
With the coming of the British Raj in the early
19th century, Christianity began
to spread throughout Punjab altering the perception
of faith amongst many simple village folk
The wife of Brindaban, Bibo, outlived him,
and was affectionately referred to as ‘Shoti
Mataji’ (younger mother). She
was, and still is greatly revered by the Agra
Radhasoamis.