Artefacts Preserved at the Current House of Bhai Rupa's Descendants

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to 'Wonderous Enlightener'.

The list of artefacts that were shown to me which I recorded are as follows:

1.    A shield that has the marks of a Lions claw on it. When the Lion attacked Guru Hargobind Ji, their arm was embedded within the back of the shield during defence. We can still see the embedment grooves of the arm clearly before us.

2.    A small shield belonging to Guru Gobind Singh Ji that was "tied to his chest for protection in the battle of Chamkaur Sahib". Made with the skin of a rhino, not even a bullet can pierce it. It also has been scanned in England and has signs of arrows and blades examined on it. The scanned result of the examination can bee seen in a laminated picture.

3.    A ‘Karcha’ (cooking spoon) used in the cooking of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s wedding at ‘Guru Ke Lahore’. This was kept by Bhai Roopa Ji who would do ‘Langar’ seva from Guru Hargobind Ji’s time. During the wedding, much ration and ‘Mithiayee’ (sweet puddings) was taken from the local vicinity of 'Bhai Rupa'. This ‘Karcha’ was kept as a token from the wedding by Bhai Roopa Ji.

4.    A wooden piece called a ‘Bairagan’ and belonged to the Guru Har Rai Ji. This is traditionally used during meditation to provide upper body support.

5.    ‘Khraanvan’ (wooden shoes) of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

6.    One ‘Khraanv’ (wooden shoe) of Mata Ganga Ji (the wife of Guru Arjan Dev Ji) which is embedded with elephant teeth for decoration.

7.    A 'Salotar' (thick wooden bat) of Guru Arjan Dev Ji that would be used as a walking stick.

8.    Stirrups, (used to place feet inside whilst riding a horse). Historical significance unknown.

9.    A ‘Manji’ (cot) for sitting on (whilst preaching in the Malwa region) was given to Bhai Roopa by Guru Hargobind Ji. The legs are still original but other parts have been renovated.

10. A 'Khunda' (walking stick) of  Guru Ram Das Ji.

11. A ‘Garva’ (utensil used to contain liquid). Historical significance unknown.

12. The ‘Sooth’ or ‘Baan’ (threading) from the ‘Rath’ (carriage) that Mata Ganga Ji would travel on.

13. A ‘Siranda’ (stringed instrument) of Guru Arjan Dev Ji which was first performed with in history when 'Satta and Balvand Ji temporarily resigned from their service as ‘Raagis’ (hymn musicians).

14. A ‘Karcha’ (cooking spoon) given by Guru Hargobind Ji to Bhai Roopa for chef service in the ‘Langar’ (free meal system for those in need).

15. The first ‘Hukamnama’ (edict) addressed to the 'Brar' family and Bhai Roop Chand’s family collectively by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This letter asks for bulls to be brought to ‘Anandpur Sahib’ as they would help with domestic work.

“God is 1 and the creator of all. The enlightener of wisdom and destroyer of ignorance in the past, present and future. It is the instruction of the supreme Guru, all the ‘Brar’ congregation will be protected by the 'Guru'. Worship God repeatedly and make your life fruitful. Send for the requested items as soon as seeing this order. 1 healthy bull from brother ‘Thiraaj Singh’. 1 healthy bull from brother ‘Bulaki Singh’. 1 healthy bull from brother ‘Baaj Singh’. 1 healthy bull from brother ‘Dharam Singh’ from ‘Roopa’ (village). 'Guru' will protect all residents of the ‘Brars’ and of ‘Roopa’. Send four healthy bulls with the bull handlers (from the bull house). I am happy with you all. We have travelled towards the South. If any Sikh wishes to travel with us, they are to be present upon seeing the order. I am happy with you all. Our 'Guru' will protect us. Dated Sammat 1763 (1706 AD), 20th of ‘Katak’. 9 Lines.”

This is the order sent by Guru Ji and here as we rotate the letter, we can see the signature of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

16. A ‘Safajang’ (axe) of Guru Har Rai Ji with ‘P:7’ inscribed on it. The ‘P’ stands for ‘Paatshahi’ which means the occupier of the throne (in 7th place). Guru Ji would keep this in his ‘Kamar-Kassa’ (wrapped waist band).

17. The second Hukamnama was sent by  Guru Gobind Singh Ji when he was surrounded in ‘Anandpur Sahib’ by the Mughal armies:

“God is 1 and the creator of all. The enlightener of wisdom and destroyer of ignorance in the past, present and future. It is the instruction of the supreme 'Guru'. 'Guru' will protect ‘Bhai Sukhiya’ and all the congregation of ‘Roopa’ (village). Worship God repeatedly and make your life fruitful. Bring grouped soldiers on horseback, on foot, and with guns. I am very happy with you, whoever comes will be free of pains. Upon seeing the order, come quickly, 'Guru' will hold the arm (be by the side) of the congregation. 'Guru' will fulfil all desires of the congregation and the congregation has been set free of their pains. Bring one camel, you are to definitely arrive. The house of Bhai Roopa is mine, I am happy. God’s name is true.”

'Bhai Sukhiya' mentioned in this letter is one of the seven sons of 'Bhai Roopa'. Guru Ji asked for a camel in the letter due to one of his camels passing away. The camels were usually used to help with the grinding of mass food for the congregation. Guru Ji exalted 'Roop Chand Ji' with the status of ‘brother’ and stated that his house is just like the house of the Guru. The signature of Guru Gobind Singh Ji can be clearly seen on the letter.

Furthermore, two more letters from Guru Gobind Singh Ji have been framed. The left one is addressed to 'Mehar Chand' who was the son of 'Bhai Roopa'. The right letter was to confirm that all requested things in previous communication had been received.

18. The third Hukamnama reads: “God is 1, the creator of all. It is the instruction of the supreme Guru, 'Bhai Mehar Chand', you are to come, do not stay. I am very happy with you. All of your needs are the responsibility upon my head. You are my most supreme.”

19. The fourth letter reads:

“Bulls, buffaloes and cows have been received. Male and female horses received. The nutrition for the herds of bulls and cows received.  The nutrition for all the Sikhs. The nutrition for the animals that are exercised by the trainers. The nutrition of the female horses. The rent for the labour workers".

Historically, many herds of animals would belong to Guru Ji but would be looked after by certain personnel in specific geographic areas. When some animals would stop giving milk, they would then be sent back to the ‘Malwa’ division of Punjab where land was open and spacious. Here, these animals would be nurtured in every way, for their health to remain the best it could. Again the signatures of Guru Gobind Singh Ji can be seen..

20. An Arrow of Guru Gobind Singh Ji with 1 ‘Thola’ gold on it's tip. A ‘Thola’ is a measurement to weigh units of mass for metals like gold and silver in South Asia, widely accepted as about 11.66 grams today. The meaning behind having gold on the arrows was that if the target was injured then it could be used to cover treatment costs. If the target died as a result of the wound, then the gold could be used for the final rites.

21. Some ‘Baan’ (string) from the historic ‘plangh’ (cot) mentioned at '.9' in this article.

22. A 'Hukamnama' (edict) written by 'Mata Sundar Kaur Ji' during her 40 years leading period. ‘Dasvandh’ was sent from the family and out of happiness of receiving it, the following letter was sent:

“God is 1 and the creator of all. The enlightener of wisdom and destroyer of ignorance in the past, present and future. It is the instruction of the supreme mother to 'brother Dhunna, brother Bigha-mal, brother Gurdas, brother Rama’s collective family. 'Guru' will protect, worship God repeatedly and purify your life. 21 Rupees in the knowledge and presence of the ‘Mevra’ (cleric) have been received, I was very happy. Going forward, your ‘Dasaoudh’ (tithing - 10% of your income), any token of respect towards service, gifts, items or ‘Koudi’ (from the smallest piece), ‘Dhamri’ (25% of a Silver Rupee) to be sent in the name of the Guru or worthy of being placed in the ‘Golak’ (a dish to accommodate such finances), send it through the knowledge and presence of the cleric with a ‘Hundi’ (receipt which upon showing one could obtain their selling price). You will be freed of pains. Guru will put profitable increases in your earned income and efforts. You are my sons (children) and I have happiness upon you. It is time to serve for the Sikhs and my sons, so commit to service with a yearning and it will benefit you. Year 1785 (1728 AD) Dated 13th of ‘Assu’. 11 lines.”

23. A letter that was sent by ‘Baba Banda Singh Ji’ to the Malwa region (a similar letter was also sent to the congregation of ‘Jounpur’). As a result, ‘Dharam Singh Ji’ also took a battalion to join the 'Khalsa' against the armies of ‘Sirhind’. It reads:

“God is 1 and the creator of all. ‘Fateh Darshan’. It is the instruction of the supreme master, ‘brother Dharam Singh’, ‘brother Param Singh’, ‘brother Dhaan Singh’, ‘Sangho Singh’, residents of ‘Roopa’.  All (of you) are the ‘Khalsa’ (pure army) of ‘Akaal Purkh’ (God). 'Guru' will protect, repeatedly worship 'Guru' and life will become fruitful. Upon seeing the order, come with the five weapons strapped to you. Whichever Sikh arrives (to join us) will be freed from pain. The desires of the congregation will be fulfilled, leaving them in bliss.” 

This letter has been stamped with ‘Baba Banda Singh Ji’s seal that reads “Degh Tegho Fateh Nusrat Bedhrang, Yafthaz, Nanak Guru Gobind Singh”.

These are all the historical artefacts that have been preserved to date in the family lineage of Bhai Roop Chand Ji, a devout Sikh who lived from the time of Guru Hargobind Ji to the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. As a result, an accumulation of gifts and tokens have been acquired, preserved and presented by those currently existent in his family tree.

Please note, all of the above information was given to me by 'Chet Singh' (the current descendant of 'Bhai Rupa' who is overlooking and preserving the artefacts with his elder brother 'Boota Singh') which I have merely translated. The information in this article does not have any academic references for it.

The pure belongs to the 'Wonderous Enlightener'. The victory belongs to 'Wonderous Enlightener'.