Bhai Gurdas

Bhai Gurdas (1551 – 25 August 1636), also known as Bhagat Mal Gurdas, was a Sikh writer, historian and preacher who served as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht from 1606 to his death in 1636. He was the original scribe of the early version of Guru Granth Sahib, having served as the amanuensis of Guru Arjan in its compilation. His exegetical works are popularly known as "the key to Guru Granth Sahib". He was part of the bhai tradition of Sikhism.

Early life Bhai Gurdas was possibly born in 1551 (exact year unknown but likely between 1543 and 1553) at Basarke Gillan, a small village in the Punjab. He was the only child of Bhai Ishar Das and Mata Jivani.

After being orphaned at the age of 12, he was adopted by Guru Amar Das. Under the patronage of Guru Amar Das, Bhai Gurdas learned Sanskrit, Braj Bhasha, Persian, and Punjabi at Sultanpur Lodhi and eventually began preaching. He was further educated in both the Hindu and Muslim literary traditions. He was initially thought to have been the author of 556 Kabits but a discovery of 119 additional Kabits authored by Gurdas was made in 1939 by Vir Singh in a Gurmukhi manuscript.

1629 as per the Gurbilas Patshahi Chhevin 1636 as per an extant Bhatt Vahi record from the Bhatt Vahi Talauda Pargana Jind. This year of death is further corroborated in a copy of a scriptural manuscript at Gurdas' hometown of Goindwal. 1637 as per Vir Singh and Kahn Singh Nabha