BHAI NAND LAL JEE GOYA (Bhai Nand Lal 'Goya): PUNJABI PEOPLE AND GURUS SERIES:

BHAI NAND LAL JEE GOYA: PUNJAB

Bhai Nand Laal ji was born on 1630 A.D. in Ghazni, Afghanistan in the house of Chajju Mal, who was munshi of Dara

Shikoh. When Shahjahan has sent Dara Shikoh (Dara shikoh was Shahjahan's son) to conquer Afghanistan, Diwan Chajju Mal went along with him, Dara Shikoh returned to India while Diwan Chajju mal stayed, and thus Bhai Nand lal ji were born at Ghazni. Bhai Nand lal ji at the age of 12 started writing persian Poetry with the 'Takallus' of 'Goya'. He learned Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic as well as persian from his father, who was a great scholar himself. Bhai Nand lal ji were scholar on Islamic studies too, even though never initiated into Islam. When he was 17 he lost his mother, at 19 years of age his father in Ghazni, thus Bhai sahab had to returned to Punjab and settled at Multan.

Once Aurugnzeb asked his Islamic scholars about specific quotes of Quran, no answer could satisfy him, somebody recommended Bhai sahab and Aurungzeb was astonished by Bhai sahib's answer and gave 500 rupees as a reward. Aurungzeb wanted such a great Islamic studies scholar to be converted to Islam, forcibly or other wise. Bhai sahab asked his wife, she suggested to visit Guru Gobind singh ji at Anand pur sahib. Bhai Nand Lal ji went to Anand pur sahib with his wife and presented a book called Bandginama to Guru ji, Guru Gobind singh ji liked that book so much that he gave it a new name called 'Zindagi nama. Thus Bhai Sahab Bhai Nand lal ji became one of the 52 poets of Guru Gobind singh, and got himself converted to Khalsa. Bhai Nand Lal ji has written following books in Farsi.

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|ੴ सतगुर प्रसादि |
अनंद भइआ मेरी माए , सतगुरु मै पाइआ ।
सतगुर त पाइआ सहज सेती , मन वजीआ वाधाईआ ।
राग रतन परवार परीआ , सबद गावण आईआ ।
सबदो त गावहु हरी केरा, मन जिनी वसाइआ ।
कहै नानक अनंद होआ , सतगुरू मै पाइआ ।(१)।

ए मन मेरिआ, तू सदा रहु हर नाले ।
हर नाल रहु तू मंन मेरे दूख सभ विसारणा ।
अंगीकार ओह करे तेरा , कारज सभ सवारणा ।
सभना गला समरथ सुआमी , सो किउ मनहु विसारे ।
कहै नानक मंन मेरे सदा रहु हर नाले ।(२)।

साचे साहिबा , किआ नाही घर तेरै ।
घर त तेरै सभ किछ है , जिस देह सु पावए ।
सदा सिफत सलाह तेरी , नाम मन वसावए ।
नाम जिन कै मन वसिआ , वाजे सबद घनेरे ।
कहै नानक सचे साहिब किआ नाही घर तेरै ।(३)।

साचा नाम मेरा आधारो।
साच नाम अधार मेरा , जिन भुखा सभ गवाईआ ।
कर सांत सुख मन आइ वसिआ , जिन इछा सभ पुजाईआ ।
सदा कुरबाण कीता गुरू विटहु, जिस दीआ एह वडिआईआ ।
कहै नानक सुणह संतहु , सबद धरहु पिआरो , साचा नाम मेरा आधारो ।(४)।

वाजे पञ्च सबद , तित घर सभागै ।
घर सभागे सबद वाजे , कला जित घर धारिआ ।
पञ्च दूत तुध वस कीते , काल कंटक मरिआ ।
धुर करम पाइआ तुध जिन कउ, सि नाम हर कै लागे ।
कहै नानक तह सुख होआ तित घर अनहद वाजे ।(५)।

अनद सुणहु वडभागीहो, सगल मनोरथ पूरे ।
पार ब्रहम प्रभ पाइआ , उतरे सगल विसूरे ।
दूख रोग संताप उतरे , सुणी सची बाणी ।
संत साजन भए सरसे , पूरे गुर ते जाणी ।
सुणते पुनीत कहते पवित , सतगुर रहिआ भरपूरे ।
बिनवंत नानक गुर चरण लागे वाजे अनहद तूरे । ४० (१) ।
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Ramdas Sarovar Naate,Sab uttre paap kamate
dhan hai bibi rajni di sewa bhagti bibi rajni jo ki eik raje di kuri ci te boldi ci main rab da dita khandi haan
jed us de pita nai kiha ki bol tu mera dita khandi te oh nahi mani
us de pita nai us da vivah eik eise mudde nall kar ta jo na chal satda ci na uth satda ci na
koi kam kar satda ci
bibi ji nai rab di rja smaj ke vivah kar lita
eik din oh
amritser loka de kar roti mangn gayi
piche oh apne pati nu eik beri de thale jithe cha ci te
nall hi eik Sarovar ci
uthe ched gayi
us de pati nai dekha ki
kala kauwa Sarovar ke ander jande te white hans ho te bahar aa jande
usnai vi apni eik ungali anger payi pani de oh theet ho gayi
eisi trah us nai apni full body pani de wich paa te theet kar liti
oh bhut khush hoya per jed bibi pind tu vapis ayi te bhut sad hoyi kyu ki us de pati di tha de eik nojvaan ci bibi ji nai kiha ki tu mera pati nahi hai tu us nu maar ta hai
fir dhan guru ram dass ji de
darbaar ch gaye una nai rajni nu sab dassya
so khalsa ji jis kuri ch bhagti hai oh apne kar wale da jiwan bi udhar dendi hai
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ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ ਦਿਵਸ (5 ਜੁਲਾਈ 2013 ) ਤੇ ਵਿਸੇਸ :-

ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ ਸਥਾਨ :- ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ 19 ਜੂਨ 1595 ਈ: ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਵਡਾਲੀ ਜਿਲਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਵਿਖੇ ਹੋਇਆ |

ਮਾਤਾ - ਪਿਤਾ :- ਆਪ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਮਾਤਾ ਦਾ ਗੰਗਾ ਜੀ ਸਨ |

ਵਿਆਹ ਤੇ ਸੰਤਾਨ;- ਆਪ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਵਿਆਹ ਮਾਤਾ ਨਾਨਕੀ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ ਹੋਇਆ |ਆਪ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਪੰਜ ਪੁਤਰ ;-ਬਾਬਾ ਗੁਰਦਿਤਾ ਜੀ , ਸੂਰਜ ਮਲ ,ਅਨੀ ਰਾਏ ,ਅਟਲ ਰਾਏ ,ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਜੀ ,ਅਤੇ ਇਕ ਸਪੁਤਰੀ ਬੀਬੀ ਬੀਰੋ ਨੇ ਜਨਮ ਲਿਆ |

ਨਗਰ ਵਸਾਏ :- ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਸੰਨ 1626 ਈ :ਨੂੰ ਕੀਰਤਪੁਰ (ਰੋਪਰ) ਅਤੇ 1628 ਈ :ਨੂੰ ਭਾਈ ਰੂਪਾ (ਬਠਿੰਡਾ ) , ਸੰਨ 1629 ਈ: ਨੂੰ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦਪੁਰ (ਗੁਰਦਸਪਰ ) ਨਗਰ ਵਸਾਏ |

ਜੰਗਾ :- ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਤਮਈ ਸਹਾਦਤ ਦੇਣ ਤੋ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਦੇਖ ਲਿਆ ਕਿ ਜਾਲਮ ਹਕੂਮਤ ਹੁਣ ਹਥਿਆਰ ਬੰਦ ਹੋਇ ਬਗੇਰ ਜਿਓਣ ਨਹੀ ਦੇਵੇ ਗੀ |ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਮੀਰੀ ਪੀਰੀ ਦੀਆ ਦੋ ਤਲਵਾਰਾ ਧਾਰਨ ਕੀਤੀਆ , ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਦੀ ਸਿਰਜਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ | ਫੋਜਾ ਰਖੀਆ ਤੇ ਜਾਲਮ ਵਲੋ ਹੋਏ ਹਮਲੇ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁਧ ਚਾਰ ਜੰਗਾ ਲਰੀਆ | 11 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੋ 49 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਤਕ ਗੁਰ੍ਗੁਦੀ ਦੀ ਜਿਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਸੰਭਾਲੀ |

ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤ :- 49 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਵਿਚ 3 ਮਾਰਚ 1644 ਈ ; ਨੂੰ ਆਪ ਜੀ ਆਪਨੇ ਪੋਤਰੇ ਤੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਗੁਰਦਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਸਪੁਤਰ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰ ਰਾਇ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰ੍ਗੁਦੀ ਸੋਪ ਕੇ ਕੀਰਤਪੁਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਜੋਤੀ ਜੋਤ ਸਮਾ ਗਏ |

ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਦੀ ਸਾਝ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਪਾਉਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਭੁਲ ਜਾਂ ਕਮੀ ਰਹਿ ਗਈ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਬਖਸ਼ਣ ਜੋਗ ਹਨ ਜੀ |

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ ਜੀ ,
======================================================== 
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਹਜ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਵਜੀਆ ਵਾਧਾਈਆ ॥
ਰਾਗ ਰਤਨ ਪਰਵਾਰ ਪਰੀਆ ਸਬਦ ਗਾਵਣ ਆਈਆ ॥
ਸਬਦੋ ਤ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਹਰੀ ਕੇਰਾ ਮਨਿ ਜਿਨੀ ਵਸਾਇਆ ॥
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਹੋਆ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
ਏ ਮਨ ਮੇਰਿਆ ਤੂ ਸਦਾ ਰਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਲੇ ॥
ਹਰਿ ਨਾਲਿ ਰਹੁ ਤੂ ਮੰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੂਖ ਸਭਿ ਵਿਸਾਰਣਾ ॥
ਅੰਗੀਕਾਰੁ ਓਹੁ ਕਰੇ ਤੇਰਾ ਕਾਰਜ ਸਭਿ ਸਵਾਰਣਾ ॥
ਸਭਨਾ ਗਲਾ ਸਮਰਥੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮਨਹੁ ਵਿਸਾਰੇ ॥
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮੰਨ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਰਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਲੇ ॥੨॥
ਸਾਚੇ ਸਾਹਿਬਾ ਕਿਆ ਨਾਹੀ ਘਰਿ ਤੇਰੈ ॥
ਘਰਿ ਤ ਤੇਰੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਸੁ ਪਾਵਏ ॥
ਸਦਾ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਲਾਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਾਵਏ ॥
ਨਾਮੁ ਜਿਨ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਵਾਜੇ ਸਬਦ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸਚੇ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕਿਆ ਨਾਹੀ ਘਰਿ ਤੇਰੈ ॥੩॥
ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਧਾਰੋ ॥
ਸਾਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਅਧਾਰੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਭੁਖਾ ਸਭਿ ਗਵਾਈਆ ॥
ਕਰਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸੁਖ ਮਨਿ ਆਇ ਵਸਿਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਇਛਾ ਸਭਿ ਪੁਜਾਈਆ ॥
ਸਦਾ ਕੁਰਬਾਣੁ ਕੀਤਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਜਿਸ ਦੀਆ ਏਹਿ ਵਡਿਆਈਆ ॥
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਸੰਤਹੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਧਰਹੁ ਪਿਆਰੋ ॥
ਸਾਚਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਧਾਰੋ ॥੪॥
ਵਾਜੇ ਪੰਚ ਸਬਦ ਤਿਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਸਭਾਗੈ ॥
ਘਰਿ ਸਭਾਗੈ ਸਬਦ ਵਾਜੇ ਕਲਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਧਾਰੀਆ ॥
ਪੰਚ ਦੂਤ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਸਿ ਕੀਤੇ ਕਾਲੁ ਕੰਟਕੁ ਮਾਰਿਆ ॥
ਧੁਰਿ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਤੁਧੁ ਜਿਨ ਕਉ ਸਿ ਨਾਮਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੈ ਲਾਗੇ ॥
ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤਹ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਆ ਤਿਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਅਨਹਦ ਵਾਜੇ ॥੫॥
ਅਨਦੁ ਸੁਣਹੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀਹੋ ਸਗਲ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਪੂਰੇ ॥
ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਉਤਰੇ ਸਗਲ ਵਿਸੂਰੇ ॥
ਦੂਖ ਰੋਗ ਸੰਤਾਪ ਉਤਰੇ ਸੁਣੀ ਸਚੀ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
ਸੰਤ ਸਾਜਨ ਭਏ ਸਰਸੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਜਾਣੀ ॥
ਸੁਣਤੇ ਪੁਨੀਤ ਕਹਤੇ ਪਵਿਤੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਭਰਪੂਰੇ ॥
ਬਿਨਵੰਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਣ ਲਾਗੇ ਵਾਜੇ ਅਨਹਦ ਤੂਰੇ ॥੪੦॥੧॥
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Sohilaa raag ga-orhee deepkee mehlaa 1
Ik-oNkaar satgur parsaad.II
jai ghar keerat aakhee-ai kartay kaa ho-ay beechaaroII.
tit ghar gaavhu sohilaa sivrihu sirjanhaaro. ||1||
tum gaavhu mayray nirbha-o kaa sohilaa.II
ha-o vaaree jit sohilai sadaa sukh ho-ay. ||1|| rahaa-o. II
nit nit jee-arhay samaalee-an daykhaigaa dayvanhaar. II
tayray daanai keemat naa pavai tis daatay kavan sumaar. ||2||
sambat saahaa likhi-aa mil kar paavhu tayl. II
dayh sajan aseesrhee-aa ji-o hovai saahib si-o mayl. ||3||
ghar ghar ayho paahuchaa sad-rhay nit pavann.II
sadanhaaraa simree-ai Nanak say dih aavann. ||4||1||
Raag Aasaa Mehlaa 1.
chhi-a ghar chhi-a gur chhi-a updays.
gur gur ayko vays anayk. ||1||
baabaa jai ghar kartay keerat ho-ay.
so ghar raakh vadaa-ee to-ay. ||1|| rahaa-o.II
visu-ay chasi-aa gharhee-aa pahraa thitee vaaree maahu ho-aa.II
sooraj ayko rut anayk.II
Nanak kartay kay kaytay vays. ||2||2||
Raag Dhanaasree Mehlaa 1.
gagan mai thaal rav chand deepak banay taarikaa mandal janak moteeII.
Dhoop mal-aanlo pavan chavro karay sagal banraa-ay foolant jotee. ||1||
kaisee aartee ho-ay. bhav khandnaa tayree aartee.II
anhataa sabad vaajant bhayree. ||1|| rahaa-o. II
sahas tav nain nan nain heh tohi ka-o sahas moorat nanaa ayk tohee.II
sahas pad bimal nan ayk pad ganDh bin sahas tav ganDh iv chalat mohee. ||2||

sabh meh jot jot hai so-ay.II
tis dai chaanan sabh meh chaanan ho-ay.II
gur saakhee jot pargat ho-ay.II
jo tis bhaavai so aartee ho-ay. ||3||
har charan kaval makrand lobhit mano andino mohi aahee pi-aasaa.II
kirpaa jal deh Nanak saaring ka-o ho-ay jaa tay tayrai naa-ay vaasaa. ||4||3||
Raag Ga-orhee Poorbee Mehlaa 4.
kaam karoDh nagar baho bhari-aa mil saaDhoo khandal khanda hay.II
poorab likhat likhay gur paa-i-aa man har liv mandal mandaa hay. ||1||

kar saaDhoo anjulee pun vadaa hay. kar dand-ut pun vadaa hay. ||1|| rahaa-o. II
saakat har ras saad na jaani-aa tin antar ha-umai kandaa hay.II
ji-o ji-o chaleh chubhai dukh paavahi jamkaal saheh sir dandaa hay. ||2||
har jan har har naam samaanay dukh janam maran bhav khanda hay.II
abhinaasee purakh paa-i-aa parmaysar baho sobh khand barahmandaa hay. ||3||
ham gareeb maskeen parabh tayray har raakh raakh vad vadaa hay.II
jan Nanak naam aDhaar tayk hai har naamay hee sukh mandaa hay II. ||4||4||

Raag Ga-orhee Poorbee Mehlaa 5.
kara-o baynantee sunhu mayray meetaa sant tahal kee baylaa.ii
eehaa khaat chalhu har laahaa aagai basan suhaylaa. ||1||
a-oDh ghatai dinas rainaaray. man gur mil kaaj savaaray. ||1|| rahaa-o.II
ih sansaar bikaar sansay meh tari-o barahm gi-aanee.II
jisahi jagaa-ay pee-aavai ih ras akath kathaa tin jaanee. ||2||
jaa ka-o aa-ay so-ee bihaajhahu har gur tay maneh basayraa.II
nij ghar mahal paavhu sukh sehjay bahur na ho-igo fayraa. ||3||
antarjaamee purakh biDhaatay sarDhaa man kee pooray.II
Nanak daas ihai sukh maagai mo ka-o kar santan kee Dhooray. ||4||5||
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This is an old deurrogotype of General Hari Singh Nalwa 
with English political agents and officers. 
General Hari Singh, a giant of a man, is standing second from the left. The picture would have been taken around 1812 when the British had reached Delhi and the Empire of Maharajah Ranjit Singh was at it’s zenith. The British had to wait 40 years and the death of the great King before they dared to tangle with the Sikh Empire.
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Maharaja Ranjit Singh :  The Sikh court : The legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:

Two Europeans, Ventura, an Italian by birth, and Allard, a Frenchman, came to Lahore in 1822 to seek

service in the Sikh army. Both of them had served under Napolean in the imperial army of France. After Napolean's defeat at Waterloo they lost their occupation and left Europe to try their fortune in the East. They had heard many a tale of the grandeuf of Ranjit Singh's court and were taken up with the idea of visiting Lahore. Ranjit Singh, although not educated but was very wise and intelligent, he knew about the exploits of Napolean. Punjabi historians had compared them and Ranjit singh was even called Napolean of the East. Ranjit singh met these two European and he received them kindly asked them about their health and journey, previous employment, future plans. He showed them his troops on parade and provided amenities for their entertainment. In April of 1822, they sent a letter to Maharaja asking for an employment with his troops. The communication between these soldiers and Maharaja was in French through the trusted aide Faqir Nur-ud-din, who knew French, English, persian as many other languages. Maharaja wanted to make sure that these people did not had any contacts with British and only when he was cent percent sure, he gave them command of 500 horsemen each. This command had few Purbias(Bihari) and other Hindus of Central provinces, employed with Ranjit Singh. They were also to train all forces of Sikhs in the western method of drill. Ventura's army was called Fauj-e-Khas while little bit later Allard was asked to raise a cavalry of fresh recruits. Then Ranjit Singh also made them sign an agreement that in the event of a clash between Maharaja and European power, they would remain loyal to Sarkar Khalsa and fight for him. They were to wear their beards long and abstain from beef and tobacco. Ranjit Singh provided houses for Ventura and Allard and gave them handsome salaries. To Ventura he gave 40,000 rupees when he married a Muslim girl from Ludhiana. Two villages were subsequently given to the daughter of Ventura as jagir. Ventura built a house, which still exists near Anarkali, it is a beautiful Cheateau in French style. This shows that even though Ranjit Singh was cautious but shrewd and able enough to distinguish between people beneficial to him.

He selectively employed several more Europeans, such as Dr.Honigberger, a native of Hungary. Avitable an Italian later appointed Governor of Peshawar. General Court, a Frenchman who organized the artillery. Dr. Harlan an American, who became governor of Jasrata and later Gujrat. Henry Steinbach, a German was made a battalion commander. Hurbon, a Spainard was an engineer. Dr. Benet, a Frenchman was a surgeon-general of Khalsa Army. Viewkenawitch, a Russian held a high rank in the artillery. There were a number of Englishmen too- Fitzroy, Gillmore, Leslie, Harvey, and Foulkes, to mention but a few- who were employed on various civil and military duties. With men of such diverse races, nationalities and faiths to serve him, Ranjit Singh maintained a most picturesque and cosmopolitan court. He was very kind to these foreigners. He trusted them and gave them positions of responsibility and rewarded them generously for their services. But he always kept a watchful eye on them and never let them have an influence over him. They willingly submitted to his natural dignity and served him faithfully.

Ranjit singh's Lahore also attracted many visitors and travellers. Like his foreign counriers, they came from all parts of the world. They were drawn by the reports of the Maharaja's hospitality and his personal charm and joi de vivre. What fascinated his visitors most was his unquenchable curiosity. He asked them the most searching questions and his keenness of mind and range of interest surprised everyone. Many travellers have written in their books of his generosity, refined manner and mental alertness. He was always cheerful and vivacious and transmitted the same spirit of heartiness to his visitors. In the summer of 1821, William Moorcroft, the Superintendent of East India Company's horses came to visit Ranjit Singh's court. A daily allowance of 100 rupees was fixed for his entertainment. Moorcroft was also shown Sikh army, he was greatly impressed by the turnout and discipline of the Sikh army. He also visited the royal stables and remarked that some of Ranjit Singh's horses were the finest in the world. On the way back from Bukhara, Moorcroft brought a letter from Prince Nesselrode of Russia which contained greetings and good wishes from the ruler of that country. It also expressed Russia's desire to have trade raltions with the country of Ranjit Singh. They traders from Punjab were assured welcome and security in Russia.

Another famous traveller to visit Ranjit Singh was Baron Charles Hugel. He was a German Scientist, who travelled extensively in the Punjab and Kashmir. In his book, he wrote that Punjab under Ranjit singh was safer than territories ruled by the British. He also recorded his conversations with Ranjit Singh, who, as usual, asked him many questions. He asked him if he had served as a soldier and questioned him about the German armies and their wars with France. He asked him what he thought of the Sikh army and whether it was in a fit state to confront a European force.

Victor Jacquemont, a French traveller, also praised Ranjit Singh's powers of conversation and his shrewd judgement. He wrote in his book: "Ranjit Singh is almost the first inquistive Indian I have seen, but his curiosity makes up for the apathy of his whole nation. He asked me a hundred thousand questions about India, the English, Europe, Napolean, this world in general and the other one., hell and paradise, the soul, God, the devil, and a thousand things besides." There were several missionaries whom Ranjit singh also met. Several requests to open up churches, convent schools, etc were denied by Ranjit Singh. He asked them to teach Punjabi language and Sikh scriptures instead. No wonder when British took over Punjab after Ranjit Singh convent Schools were spread all over Punjab.

He was a benevolent king. Eventhough the Government of Punjab was called Sarkar Khalsa but no laws were imposed on any of the minority or majority. Sikhs at his time were about 15% of whole population, hindus around 25%, rest were Muslims. He governed the fourty years of his rule from Lahore with secular ideals. He would fast with Mulsims during Ramadan and play Holi with Hindus., yet he would be at Amritsar almost every Month to take bath. A poor muslim from Lahore had written a Quran which he was going to take to DelhiA to sell at the Mughals court. Ranjit Singh asked him how much he wanted and paid him twice. There is another story about Ranjit singh. One year, crops totally die and due to a massive famine, people were starving. . So being a king, he opened up all the state stores for people. Ranjit singh would often roam in streets of Lahore in disguise to check his rule, whether people are happy or not. That night he saw an old woman who could not carry a bag of wheat to her house where her children were starving. He carried that bag to her house on his back. Although he was a devout Sikh but he cannot be called a strict Khalsa sikh adhering to all the principles of Sikhism. He was a very well disciplined soldier of Khalsa who was also a secular as well as enjoying his life, like drinking, etc. The spirit of stern religious discipline and sacrifice which had supported Sikhs through a critical period of their history and led them to power and glory was dimmed in the pomp and splendour of sovereignty. Ranjit Singh's death on June 27, 1839, left a deep hiatus. The Khalsa lost a leader who had, by commanding personality, foresight and skill, become their beau ideal and secured them the status of sovereign people. The British had by then taken practically the whole of India, except the Punjab and sind.waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh.

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