JHAṆḌĀ, BHĀĪ (1580-1661), a prominent Sikh of Gurū Har Rāi's time, was a grandson of Bhāī Bhānā, the youngest son of the venerable Bhāī Buḍḍhā. He was born to Bhāī Bhānā's younger son, Sarvan and his wife Āīyāṅ, in 1580. At the age of 16, he was married to Bībī Sulakkhaṇī. Even during the lifetime of his grandfather, he displayed interest in managing the family estate which he extended considerably. It is said that he had in that area twenty-five villages, the land revenue of which accrued to him. He also had a jāgīr given him by Emperor Shāh Jahāṅ. He became a wealthy and influential man, yet he maintained his reputation as a pious and humble Sikh of the Gurū. He made frequent visits to Amritsar and, later to Kīratpur to wait upon him. When his father, Bhāī Sarvan, joined Gurū Hargobind's train, he summoned his son to Kīratpur. There Bhāī Jhaṇḍā devoted himself whole-heartedly to the service of the Gurū and his Sikhs, who came from far and near to see him. He brought firewood from the forests for the Gurū kā Laṅgar. He was especially known for his spirit of humility and obedience. It is recorded by a contemporary chronicler, Zulfiqār Ardistānī, the author of Dabistān-i-Mazāhib, that once Gurū Hargobind, while having a stroll in the garden at Kīratpur, told Bhāī Jhaṇḍā to stand and wait for him at the entrance. The Gurū after some time left through another exit. Jhaṇḍā, in the absence of any further instructions, kept standing at the garden-gate until the Gurū, informed on the fourth day of what had happened, recalled him. After his father's death in 1651, Bhāī Jhaṇḍā took his place in the Gurū's train. He himself died at his village, Jhaṇḍā Ramdās, in early 1661. It is said that Gurū Har Rāi himself attended his funeral and appointed his son, Bhāī Gurdittā, to take his place at Kīratpur.

Major Gurmukh Siṅgh (Retd.)