Gian Singh Rab
Baba Gian Singh 'Rab' | |
|---|---|
 Photograph of Gian Singh 'Rab' in 1967 | |
| Known for | Sikh martial artist specializing in Shastar Vidya |
Gian Singh 'Rab', also known as Gian Singh 'Sutantar', was a Sikh scholar and martial artist, belonging to the Nihang order, famous for his work on Shastar Vidya.[1][2][3][4]
Biography
[edit]Scholarly work
[edit]He spent forty years on textually analyzing the Guru Granth Sahib from very rare manuscripts and over a hundred codices (Birs), eventually publishing his basic findings.[5] His work with other research scholars, such as Kundan Singh and Randhir Singh, was published under the title of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji dian Santha-Sainchian are Puratan Hathlikhit Pavan Biran de Praspar Path-Bhedan di Suchi (title meaning "The List of Textual Variations Present in the Early Sacred Manuscripts and Printed Versions of the Guru Granth Sahib"), in 1977.[2]
Martial arts
[edit]He was also an ustad (teacher) of the traditional Sikh martial art system of Shastar Vidya, which he taught to many students, helping ensure the survival of the martial art.[3] After Gian Singh 'Rab' died, a small pamphlet he had authored was posthumously published.[3] Santa Singh of the Budha Dal wrote a memoir work about him.[6]
Students
[edit]Some of the shastar vidya students, many of whom became accomplished Shastar Vidya instructors themselves, of Gian Singh 'Rab' include:
- Gian Singh (same name as his teacher) of Bhindran, he had trained seventeen Sikhs into becoming Shastar Vidya ustads himself[2]
- Pritam Singh of Patiala[2]
- Gurbax Singh of Langeri, Hoshiarpur district[3]
- Pritam Singh[3]
- Daya Singh 'Bhagatevale'[3]
- Nihal Singh of Harianvelan[3]
- Mohinder Singh, who was the teacher of the famous Nidar Singh[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Singh, Jagtar (31 July 2013). "Controversial Neo-Nang Niddar to Hold Seminar in Toronto". Sikh24. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d Singh, Kamalroop (2012-11-22). "A translation of the Shastravidia book by Baba Gian Singh coming soon!". Dr Kamalroop Singh - Sikh Studies. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Singh, Kamalroop (2014). "38. Sikh Martial Art (Gatkā)". In Singh, Pashaura; Fenech, Louis E. (eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies. Oxford Handbooks Online. Oxford University Press. pp. 459–470. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199699308.013.022.
- ^ Singh, Santa. Shastar Vidya (PDF) (in Punjabi). Budha Dal.
- ^ Ernest Trumpp and W.H. McLeod as scholars of Sikh history religion and culture, Bhai Trilochan SinghInternational Centre of Sikh Studies, 1994
- ^ Singh, Santa. Shastar Vidya (PDF) (in Punjabi). Budha Dal.