Artifact

Colebrooke Janamsakhi

also Valaitvali Janam Sakhi, MS Panj B6

The best-known manuscript of the Puratan tradition of janam sakhis, unnoticed in London until 1872.[EoS][(tr.)][McLeod]

Date: Undated. Sixteenth to eighteenth century proposed
Held by: British Library (formerly India Office Library)
Location: London
Provenance: Documented
Status: Held: McLeod (1979-80) cites it as India Office Library MS Panj B6. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism (1992-98) says it came with H.T. Colebrooke's collection to the East India House library, probably in 1815 or 1816. No current British Library record was opened, and the move from India Office to British Library is inferred from the B-40's record.

It was lent to Ernest Trumpp in 1872. His description prompted Sikhs in Amritsar to petition for it in 1883, and a photozincograph facsimile was issued in 1885.

A second Puratan manuscript at the Languages Department, Patiala (No. 194) is a key witness to the same tradition.

What is disputed

Date
The manuscript has no date. A cryptic reference may point to 1635. The Encyclopaedia reports proposals ranging from 1588 to the early eighteenth century and itself favours the sixteenth century on language.[EoS][McLeod]

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

A page labelled on Commons as the Colebrooke Janamsakhi, the Puratan manuscript in London. Commons gives 1634, but the manuscript itself is undated and scholars disagree.
Unknown, Undated. 1634 on Commons. British Library, MS Panj B6. Public domain. Source