Ghasidas
Guru Ghasidas | |
|---|---|
 Guru Ghasidas on a 1987 stamp of India | |
| Born | 18 December 1756 |
| Died | 1850 |
| Monuments | Jaitkhamb |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Satguru |
| Successor | Guru Balakdas |
| Spouse | Safura Mata |
| Children | Guru Balakdas, Guru Agardas, Guru Adgadhiyadas, Mata Sahodra |
| Parent(s) | Mangu Das, Mata Amarautin Bai |
Ghasidas (18 December 1756 – 1850),[1] also known as Guru Ghasidas, was guru (teacher) of the Satnampanth in the early 19th century. It was Guru Ghasidas who decided to start treating everyone the same in a deep forested part of Malwa Region.[2]
Ghasidas was born on 16 February 1756[3] at Girodpuri village of Nagpur (present-day Giraudpuri at Baloda Bazar of Chhattisgarh) into a Chamar family.[4][5][6][7] Guru Ghasidas was the son of Mangu Das and Amrauti Mata. Ghasidas preached Satnam particularly for the people of Malwa.[8] After Guru Ghasidas, his teachings were carried on by his son, Guru Balakdas. Guru Ghasidas was the founder of the Satnami community in Malwa. During his lifetime, the political atmosphere in India was one of exploitation. Ghasidas experienced the evils of the caste system at an early age, which helped him to understand the social dynamics in a caste-ridden society and reject social inequality. To find solutions, he travelled extensively across Malwa.
Guru Ghasidas[9] established Satnami community in Malwa based on "Satnam" (meaning "Truth") and equality. The Guru's teachings and philosophy is similar to sikhism. Guru Ghasidas created a symbol of truth called "jaitkhambh" – a white painted log of wood, with a white flag on the top. The structure indicates a white man who follows the truth "satnam" is always steadfast and is the pillar of truth (satya ka stambh). The white flag indicates peace.
Monuments
The Government of Chhattisgarh renamed a part of Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve after him, that is Guru Ghasidas National Park.[10] They also opened a Central University called "Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya."[citation needed]
References
- ^ Ramdas Lamb (2002). Rapt in the Name: The Ramnamis, Ramnam, and Untouchable Religion in Central India. SUNY Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-7914-5385-8.
- ^ Satnami sect https://www.britannica.com/topic/Satnami-sect
- ^ "Satnami sect | Indian religion". Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ^ Bauman, Chad M. (7 October 2008). Christian Identity and Dalit Religion in Hindu India, 1868-1947. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8028-6276-1.
- ^ Dalal, Roshen (18 April 2014). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.
- ^ Commissioner, India Census (1902). Census of India, 1901: Central Provinces. 3 pts. Government Central Press.
- ^ Dube, Saurabh (19 March 1998). Untouchable Pasts: Religion, Identity, and Power Among a Central Indian Community, 1780-1950. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-3688-2.
- ^ Raminder Kaur; John Hutnyk (15 April 1999). Travel Worlds: Journeys in Contemporary Cultural Politics. Zed Books. pp. 49–. ISBN 978-1-85649-562-2. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ Mishra, Ishita (6 April 2016). "Govt book terms Baba Ghasidas as 'Harijan': Jogi jr". Times of India. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Chhattisgarh asked to propose tiger reserve status for Guru Ghasidas park". The Hindu. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2016.