Gian Singh Rab

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]

Not to be confused with Giani Gian Singh.
Baba

Gian Singh

'Rab'
Photograph of Gian Singh 'Rab' in 1967
Known forSikh martial artist specializing in Shastar Vidya

Biography

Scholarly work

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

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

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
  1. Singh, Jagtar (31 July 2013). "Controversial Neo-Nang Niddar to Hold Seminar in Toronto". Sikh24. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Singh, Santa. Shastar Vidya (PDF) (in Punjabi). Budha Dal.
  5. Ernest Trumpp and W.H. McLeod as scholars of Sikh history religion and culture, Bhai Trilochan SinghInternational Centre of Sikh Studies, 1994
  6. Singh, Santa. Shastar Vidya (PDF) (in Punjabi). Budha Dal.
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