Ganesh Das

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Wikipedia

Ganesh Das Bhadera, also known as Ganesh Das Vadhera, was a 19th-century Punjabi historian and official.[1] He is best known for his Chār-Bāgh-i-Punjab (1854/55) and Rājdarshani (1847).[2] A chronicler of much reputation, he also authored Chīragh-i-Panjab (1846/47) on the history of the Sikhs.[3]

Ganesh Das belonged to a Khatri family from Gujrat and was the qānungo (revenue officer) of the city for Sikh Empire. Earlier his father Shiv Dayal had served as revenue officer of Gujrat for Sardar Gulab Singh of Bhangi Misl as well.[4]

Ganesh Das completed his first work, named Chīragh-i-Panjab, in 1846/47 and presented it to the Nazim of Punjab — presumably Sir Henry Lawrence.[5] Ganesh Das wrote his Risala'i Şahib Numā' (also known as Chahar Gulshan-i-Punjab) in 1849, which he later updated and presented to Richard Temple (settlement officer of Gujrat during 1852–54) as Tarikh-i-Punjab, also known Chār-Bāgh-i-Punjab, in 1854/55;[4] the Chahar Gulshan-i-Punjab is considered supplement to his magnum opus Chār-Bāgh-i-Punjab.[6][7][8] It is a detailed account of the history and geography of Punjab and the 19th century Punjabi society.[1]

Ganesh Das was employed in the revenue department by Gulab Singh after the founding of Jammu and Kashmir in March 1846. He completed his Rājdarshani on the history of Jammu in 1847, named in parallel to Kalhana's Rajatarangini.[2][9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Grewal, J. S. (January 2013). "The Char Bagh-i Panjab: Socio-Cultural Configuration" (PDF). International Journal of Punjab Studies. 20 (1). UC Santa Barbara, California: 23–52.
  2. 1 2 Charak, Sukh Dev Singh (1983). Jammu Kingdom. Light & Life Publishers. pp. 68–69.
  3. ↑ Grewal, J. S. (1967). "Ganesh Das's "Chār-Bāgh-I-Punjab"". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 29: 380–388. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44155525.
  4. 1 2 Askari, Syed Hasan (2002). "CHAR BAGH-I-PANJAB". In Singh, Harbans (ed.). The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism. Vol. I A–D (Fourth ed.). Punjabi University Patiala. p. 442. ISBN 978-8-1-7380-349-9.
  5. ↑ Gaṇeśadāsa (1991). Ganeśdās Baḍehra's Rājdarshani: A Persian History of North-western India from Earliest Times to A.D. 1847. Jay Kay Book House. pp. X.
  6. ↑ Hasrat, Bikrama Jit (1977). Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism. V.V. Research Institute Book Agency. p. 1. Ganesh Dass', Risala'i Şahib Numā', Tārīkh-i-Panjab and its supplement, the Chahar Gulshan - i - Panjab
  7. ↑ Kaur, Madanjit (2021). Guru Gobind Singh: Historical and Ideological Perspective. Unistar Books. p. 250. ISBN 978-81-89899-55-4.
  8. ↑ Singh, Teja; Singh, Ganda (1950). A Short History of the Sikhs: 1496-1765. Orient Longmans. p. 189.
  9. ↑ Charak, Sukh Dev Singh (1983). Himachal Pradesh. Light & Life Publishers. p. 68.