Ratan Singh Jaggi

Rattan Singh Jaggi (27 July 1927 – 22 May 2025) was an Indian scholar, author, literary critic and academic specialising in Punjabi, Hindi and Gurmat literature. He was known for his research, publications, and multi-volume commentaries on Sikh scriptures and related literature. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, in 2023 in the field of literature and education.

Background Rattan Singh Jaggi was born on 27 July 1927 in Pindigheb, District Campbellpur, British India (now in Punjab, Pakistan). Following the Partition of India, his family relocated to India. He pursued higher education, earning Master of Arts degrees in Punjabi (1955) and Hindi (1957). He later obtained a PhD in 1962 from Panjab University (Chandigarh) with a thesis on the Puranic compositions in the Dasam Granth. In 1973, he was awarded a D.Litt. degree by Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, for his research on Guru Nanak. His work is particularly noted for its depth in medieval literature and the Bhakti Movement.

Death Jaggi died after a brief illness in Chandigarh on 22 May 2025 at the age of 97.

Selected works Jaggi's notable contributions to literature include multi-volume encyclopedias and detailed commentaries on major religious texts.

Encyclopedias Source: including Arth Bodh Shri Guru Granth Sahib and Bhav Parbodhni Teeka Shri Guru Granth Sahib. He also completed transliteration and translation/commentary of the Guru Granth Sahib in Hindi.

His research on Guru Nanak's Bani led to publications such as Guru Nanak: Jeevni atey Vyaktitatva and Guru Nanak di Vichar dhara, both of which received awards. During the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the Punjab Government commissioned and distributed his volume titled Guru Nanak Bani: Paathatey Vyakhya in Punjabi and Hindi. 'Punjabi Sahit Shiromani' (now known as 'Punjabi Sahit Rattan') (1996), the highest state award conferred by the Punjab Government

Jaggi also won numerous other awards from Punjab and Haryana state governments for his books.