(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

The word ‘Beerh’ (ਬੀੜ) has been used for copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by many Sikh writers and historians. ‘Sri Kartarpuri Beerh’ (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕਰਤਾਰਪੁਰੀ ਬੀੜ) is a specific copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

By order of the fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji this ‘Beerh’ (ਬੀੜ) was compiled under the supervision of Bhai Gurdas Ji. The Gurbani of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji is not included in it, because this part of the Gurbani came into this world at a later stage.

The signatures of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji make Sri Kartarpuri Beerh more precious.

‘Sri Kartarpuri Beerh’ was written and installed in Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar Sahib in 1604 AD.

At first, it was called ‘Pothi Sahib’.  Later, some people gave it a new name of ‘Adi Granth Sahib’. Because it is kept in Kartarpur Sahib, a city in Punjab, so it is now called ‘Kartarpuri Beerh’.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji installed it in Sri Darbar Sahib. When Sri Amritsar Sahib was attacked during Guru Hargobind Sahib’s Guru ship, it was sent to Guru Ki Vadaali and then to Kartarpur Sahib, which was the city founded by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Guru Hargobind Sahib stayed in Kartarpur Sahib for some time and then moved to Keeratpur Sahib, near present-day Anandpur Sahib. He left for his heavenly abode there in Keeratpur Sahib.

Back there in Kartarpur Sahib, Dheermal, the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib and son of Baba Gurditta Ji, controlled the management of Sri Kartarpur Sahib, and obviously ‘Kartarpuri Beerh’ also came into his possession.

When the eighth Guru, Sri Guru Harkrishan Ji left for his heavenly abode, Dheermal fixed up his camp in Bakaala, because Guru Harkrishan said ‘Baba Base Graam Bakaala’. At that time, the ‘Kartarpuri Beerh’ was there in Dheermal’s camp in ‘Bakaala’ (now called ‘Baba Bakaala’). When Dheermal ordered his musclemen to attack Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, Sheenha (a ‘masand’ of Dheermal) fired at Guru Ji. They looted money and articles belonged to Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji and ran away.

The Sikhs, under the command of Divaan Dargaah Mal, Uncle Kirpal Chand Ji and Bhai Makhan Shah Lubaana, chased Dheermal and recaptured all the material and money from him. They also got Sri Kartarpuri Beerh.

However, Guru Teg Bahadur sent all the money, material, and Sri Kartarpuri Beerh back to Dheermal. Dheermal lived in Kartarpur Sahib. Since then, the ‘Kartarpuri Beerh’ is kept there and is the under control of descendants of Dheermal.

Sometimes, we find people making demand that Kartarpuri Sodhhis (descendants of Dheermal) should hand over this ‘Beerh’ to the ‘Panth’, the main stream Sikhs.

Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji himself gave Sri Kartarpuri Beerh to Dheermal. It was the Will of Satguru. As obedient Sikhs of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, we should follow his instructions.