Goindwal as a Sikh centre

Bhai Jetha's mission to Lahore

When Brahmins and Khatris complain to Akbar about the kitchen, Bhai Jetha defends Guru Ji before the emperor.

Agreed in traditionLahore1 min read

Painting of the ten Sikh Gurus seated in a group — A later artist's imagining of the ten Gurus, from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, from the workshop of Purkhu of Kangra. No portrait from any Guru's lifetime is established.Purkhu of Kangra, Early 19th century, Kapany Collection (as credited on Commons). Public domain. Source

According to Macauliffe and the Encyclopaedia, Brahmins objected to the free kitchen and to the neglect of caste rules, and took their case to the emperor. Macauliffe adds that they warned that Guru Ji's teaching could lead to disturbance.

Guru Ji sent Bhai Jetha to reply. Macauliffe has him say that God had been worshipped under different names in the four ages. The Encyclopaedia reduces the answer to its core: all are equal before God. Akbar dismissed the charges.

How do we know?

Several traditional accounts tell this story, without close independent support.

ScholarshipReports the mission and Akbar's dismissal of the complaint.[EoS]
Later traditionGives the complaint, the summons and Bhai Jetha's speech at length.[Macauliffe]

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