Guru Nabha Dass:

GS Paper 1:

Topics Covered: Indian Art and Culture.

Context:

The Punjab government has announced a gazetted holiday on the birth anniversary of Guru Nabha Dass, a 16th century saint.

About Guru Nabha Dass:

Born on: April 8, 1537.

Born at village Bhadrachalam on the bank of Godavari river in Khammam district, which falls in the present day Telangana.

Belonged to Mahasha also known as doom or dumna community, which is one of the Schedule Caste communities.

Religious gurus — Agar Dass and Keel Dass.

People from this community are also known as Nabhadassias. They are known for making baskets and grain storage containers with bamboo.

Bhagatmal:

Guru Nabha Dass wrote ‘Bhagatmal’ in 1585. It has the life history of around 200 saints.

What is his connection with Punjab?

• Guru Nabha Dass used to visit village Pandori in Gurdaspur district where people of Doom community live.
• Some gurus of the community also used to live there.
• Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and Jammu states also have a sizeable presence of the community.
• Kullu Dussehra is celebrated for a week on the directions of Guru Nabha Dass.

There are around 30 lakh people of Mahasha community who live in Punjab, including around one lakh in Pathankot itself.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Kullu Dussehra.
2. Guru Nabha Dass.
3. Bhagatmal.

Mains Link:

Write a note on Guru Nabha Dass.

Sources: Indian Express.