Mata Bhani

Bibi Bhani (Gurmukhi: ਬੀਬੀ ਭਾਨੀ; January 19, 1535 – April 9, 1598), also known as Mata Bhani (Gurmukhi: ਮਾਤਾ ਭਾਨੀ), was the daughter of Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru. She played a central role in the history of Sikhism and is one of the four consorts bestowed with the title of Guru-Mahal.

Biography

Bibi Bhani was born to Guru Amar Das and Mata Mansa Devi on 19 January 1535 in Basarke Gillan, a village near Amritsar. The two were wed on 18 February 1554.

During Akbar's visit to Guru Amar Das, it is said the emperor bestowed a jagir grant donation (lands and villages) as gifts to Bhani, putting the grant in her own name, as the Guru rejected receiving any such official state patronage in his own name. Akbar bestowed this land as a wedding gift for Bhani and he figuratively viewed her as his own daughter as well. With this responsibility, she was tasked with educating women on the tenets and norms of the Sikh faith.

Bibi Bhani died in Goindval on 9 April 1598. Scholar Doris Jakobsh states the following: