Bhagats, Bhatts & Gursikhs

A weaver by trade, raised in a Muslim household, who became one of the most fearless voices of the Bhakti movement. His blunt, uncompromising verses rejected ritualism in both Hinduism and Islam and called the seeker directly to the One. Guru Arjan Sahib included more of his bani in the Aad Granth than any other Bhagat.

292 shabads and 246 saloks across 17 raags, plus the Bavan Akhri.

A calico-printer from Pandharpur in Maharashtra who later spent decades in Ghuman, Punjab. He sang of Vitthal as the formless Naam and rejected caste. His samadh still stands in Ghuman where he is revered by both Sikhs and Hindus.

61 shabads in 18 raags.

A cobbler from Banaras whose verses are the high-water mark of fearless equality in the Bhakti tradition. He spoke of 'Begampura' — the city without sorrow — where there is no caste, no tax, and no fear. Guru Granth Sahib preserves his vision intact.

40 shabads in 16 raags.

Baba Farid Shakar Ganj, head of the Chishti Sufi order in Punjab. His Punjabi saloks are among the earliest known literary works in the Punjabi language and shaped the spiritual idiom Guru Nanak Sahib would later use. Guru Nanak met his successor and brought his bani into the Sikh canon.

4 shabads and 112 saloks.

A close companion of Bhagat Namdev. His shabads urge constant remembrance over hollow pilgrimage.

4 shabads in 3 raags.

A scholar-bhagat who turned away from book-learning to inner remembrance; little is documented about his life outside his bani.

3 shabads in 3 raags.

A revolutionary teacher who opened bhakti to people of every caste, training Bhagat Kabir, Bhagat Ravidas and others. His single shabad in Sri Guru Granth Sahib captures the essence of his teaching.

1 shabad in Raag Basant.

A Jat farmer from Dhuan in Rajasthan whose simple, direct faith is celebrated in the famous sakhi of him discovering God in a stone he had been served.

4 shabads in 2 raags.

Sanskrit poet of the Gita Govinda and court poet of King Lakshmana Sena. His Sikh contribution is in Hindi/Brij rather than Sanskrit.

2 shabads.

A Sufi pir whose bani on the impermanence of the body and the necessity of Naam was included by Guru Arjan Sahib.

2 shabads in Raag Sorath.

A royal barber whose devotion was famously rewarded when, according to tradition, the Lord himself took his place in service of the king for one night.

1 shabad in Raag Dhanasari.

A king who renounced his throne to become a wandering bhakta after meeting Bhagat Ramanand.

1 shabad in Raag Dhanasari.

Blind poet-saint of the Krishna bhakti tradition, court poet of Akbar. His Sikh contribution is a single famous line preserved by Guru Arjan Sahib.

1 line in Raag Sarang.

A Marathi bhakta of the Vitthal tradition.

1 shabad in Raag Sarang.

A butcher by trade who became a bhakta and died a shaheed in Sirhind. His tomb still stands there.

1 shabad in Raag Bilawal.

Most prolific of the Bhatts — court bards who came to Guru Arjan Sahib and offered swayyas in praise of the first five Gurus.

54 swayyas — by far the most of any Bhatt.

Companion of Bhatt Kal.

4 swayyas in praise of Guru Angad Sahib.

Bhatt bard of the Sikh court.

8 swayyas.

Spent years searching for a true Guru before finding Guru Amar Das Sahib.

2 swayyas.

Bhatt bard at Goindwal.

3 swayyas.

Bhatt bard at Goindwal.

1 swayya.

Bhatt bard. Sometimes considered an additional name of Bhatt Kal.

16 swayyas.

Bhatt bard.

13 swayyas.

Bhatt bard, ardent devotee of Guru Arjan Sahib.

14 swayyas.

Bhatt bard.

5 swayyas.

Bhatt bard whose swayyas conclude the section.

2 swayyas in praise of Guru Arjan Sahib.

Great-grandson of Guru Amar Das Sahib. He recorded the words of Guru Amar Das Sahib at the time of his joti-jot, preserved as Sadd.

Sadd — 6 pauris in Raag Ramkali.

Lifelong companion of Guru Nanak Sahib, the rabab player who accompanied every udaasi.

3 saloks in Raag Bihagra.

Rababi of the Guru's darbar alongside Bhai Balwand.

Co-author of the Tikke di Vaar in Raag Ramkali (8 pauris with Bhai Balwand).

Rababi of the Guru's darbar alongside Bhai Satta. Their vaar praises the first five Gurus.

Co-author of the Tikke di Vaar in Raag Ramkali.