Biodata – English

Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi was an eminent scholar of Punjabi and Hindi literature, with profound mastery over Gurmat literature and the Bhakti Movement traditions. Celebrated for his scholarly interpretations of the writings of Sikh Gurus and Bhakti saints, he combined deep erudition with a lifelong commitment to the critical study of medieval Indian literature, particularly exploring the intersections of faith, philosophy, and poetic expression in Hindi and Punjabi.

Born on 27 July 1927 in Pindi Gheb, a town in Campbellpur (now Attock) District of West Punjab (now in Pakistan), Dr. Jaggi migrated to East Punjab following Partition. Undeterred by the extreme hardships of displacement, he pursued his education with remarkable perseverance, earning an M.A. in Punjabi (1955), an M.A. in Hindi (1957), and a Diploma in Journalism, while also studying Sanskrit and Persian during his B.A.(Honours) —a testament to his wide-ranging intellectual foundation.

He began his teaching career in 1957 at Hindu College, Sonepat, and was selected the same year by the Punjab Public Service Commission to serve at Government College, Hisar, as a Lecturer in 1958. In 1963, he joined Punjabi University, Patiala, as Lecturer and after a distinguished career, retired in 1987 as Professor and Head of the Department of Punjabi Literary Studies. At the university, he also served as Chief Editor of Khoj Patrika, a premier literary journal. Fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Persian, and English, he authored an extensive body of acclaimed books, encyclopedic works, and commentaries, leaving an enduring imprint on Indian literary scholarship.

Dr. Jaggi earned his Ph.D. from Panjab University, Chandigarh, in 1962 for his thesis “Dasam Granth Ki Pauranik Prishthbhoomi” (A critical study of Pauranik compositions in the Dasam Granth), later published as “Dasam Granth da Pauranik Addhyan”, a highly regarded work honoured by the Punjab Languages Department. In 1999, at the time of the 3rd centenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa, he presented a five-volume Punjabi commentary, “Dasam Granth da Tika”, followed by its Hindi counterpart, “Dasham Granth ka Tika”, both published by Gobind Sadan, Delhi, which established him as one of the most authoritative voices on the Dasam Granth.

In 1973, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, conferred upon him a D.Litt. for his Hindi thesis “Guru Nanak: Vyaktitva, Krititva aur Chintan” (Guru Nanak: Personality, Works and Teachings). His engagement with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s philosophy continued through several critical works, including “Guru Nanak Bani: Paath atey Vyakhya” (a bilingual edition published by the Punjab Government during the 550th Prakash Purb),   “Guru Nanak: Jeevni atey Vyaktitva” and “Guru Nanak di Vichardhara” —each of which was honoured by the Languages Department, Punjab.

Among his acclaimed contributions was his translation and transliteration of “Tulsi Ramayan (Ramcharitmanas)” into Punjabi, published by Punjabi University, Patiala, in 1977. This monumental work won him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1989—a rare achievement in cross-lingual literary scholarship.

As an encyclopedist, he compiled “Sahit Kosh” (1989), a dictionary of literary terms, and “Punjabi Sahit Sandarbh Kosh” (1994), a reference compendium of literary allusions. His five-volume “Punjabi Sahit da Sarotmoolak Itihas” (1998–2002) traced a source-based history of Punjabi literature, setting a new benchmark for literary historiography.

His dedication to Sikh theology and literary scholarship was further reflected in his works such as “Guru Granth Vishavkosh” (2002), an encyclopedia on the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and “Sikh Panth Vishavkosh” (2005; revised 2014 in four volumes), which contains entries, versions, and facts covering various dimensions of Sikhism. It was released by the Jathedars of the five Takhats, the Five Singh Sahibans, in the SGPC office, Amritsar. He also compiled the complete commentary “Arthbodh Sri Guru Granth Sahib” (2007, in five volumes), released by the SGPC, Amritsar.

In 2013, he presented his magnum opus— “Bhav Prabodhini Tika: Sri Guru Granth Sahib”, an eight-volume commentary published by Punjabi University, Patiala. In 2017, a five-volume Hindi version followed, making this landmark work accessible to a wider readership. Today, it stands as a monumental intellectual and spiritual resource.

For his unparalleled literary and theological contributions, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2023. That same year, he received the “Gian Rattan Award” from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He had earlier been conferred D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) by Punjabi University (2014) and Guru Nanak Dev University (2015).

He also received eight first prizes from the Punjab Languages Department and one from Haryana, two first prizes for his books from the Punjabi Sahit Samikhya Board, and was honoured with the Life Fellowship by Punjabi University (2012) and the Fellowship of Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana (2007). He was also felicitated by Guru Nanak Dev University (2013) and the Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar (2013), for his towering contribution to Punjabi literature. An active member of several advisory boards, including the Punjabi University Senate and Syndicate and the State Advisory Board on Languages, Punjab, he was also a regular contributor to All India Radio, Doordarshan, anthologies, encyclopedias and leading literary magazines.

Even at the age of 98, he pursued his scholarly work with undiminished zeal. With over 150 published works, his influence on Indian literature and Sikh theological studies remains unsurpassed.

A towering personality in Indian literary and spiritual thought, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi passed into eternity on 22 May 2025. He leaves behind not only a vast reservoir of scholarly treasures but also a legacy defined by humility, wisdom and lifelong devotion to the world of letters.