EXAMINING THE IDENTITY OF TODARMAL IN SIKH HISTORY 25

EXAMINING THE IDENTITY OF TODARMAL IN

SIKH HISTORY

S. INDERJEET SINGH*

INTRODUCTION
Diwan or Seth Todarmal is credited with paying an exorbitant
amount of gold coins (mohran) to buy a piece of land to cremate the
bodies of younger sons and mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is said
that he was asked by Wazir Khan, the Mughal In-charge of Sirhind to
cover the area which he wishes to purchase for cremation, with gold
coins placed vertically covering the required for cremation. Thus,
making it the costliest piece of land ever sold or purchased.
A few years ago, a hall in the historical Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib
named after Diwan Todarmal was renamed Diwan Todarmal Jain. In
this research paper, we will try to explore the identity of Todarmal
through historical sources. Medieval history records several Todarmals
and it seems it was a popular name at that time.
RAJA TODARMAL (D. 1589)
He is probably the most famous Todarmal of all and needs no
introduction. He was the finance minister under Mughal ruler Akbar.
The Sanskrit treatise Todarnanda commissioned by him states that he
was a Khatri of the Tandon sub-caste.
Blochmann the translator of Ain-i-Akbari notes that the fame of
Todarmal, as general and financier, has outlived the deeds of most of
Akbar’s nobles. He along with Abul Fazl and Man Singh is the best
known to the people of India at the present day.1

* The writer is the author of the book, Afghan Hindus & Sikhs History of a
Thousand Years. Email: <[email protected]>
26 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: APRIL-JUNE 2023/ 555 NS

RAJA TODARMAL SHAHJAHANI (D.1666)

Todarmal was an official and initially, he was an associate of
Afdal Khan, after his death, Todarmal around 1640 received the title
of Rai, and was appointed Diwan (minister-in-charge of imperial
finance), Amin (supervisor of the cultivation of arable land) and
Faujdar (in charge of law & order) of the Sarkar of Sirhind. Next year
he was given the additional charge as Faujdar of Lakhi Jungle. Pleased
with the development of the territory in the following year, Todarmal
was awarded a robe of honour, a horse, and an elephant by the Mughal
Emperor. In c. 1643 his valuable services were recognised, and his
rank was increased to 1000 foot with 1,000 horse, two-horse three-
horse troopers. Three years later his rank was further increased by 500
foot with 200 horse, two-horse three-horse troopers. A year later
(c.1647) he again received an increase of 300 horse, two-horse three-
horse troopers. Gradually the charge for the management of the Sarkar
Dipalpur (now in district Okara, West Punjab), and Parganas Jalandhar
and Sultanpur was added to it. The annual revenue of these areas
amounted to fifty lacs of rupees. He took proper measures for the
collection of this amount and subsequently (c. 1648) he was exalted
by promotion to the rank of 2,000 with 2,000 horses, and the grant of
the title of Raja. During the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, in 1660 he
was for a time in charge of the Faujdari of Itawah (Etawah, Western
Uttar Pradesh). After a very successful career, Raja Todarmal
Shahjahani died in 1076 A.H. (1665-66 A.D.)2
The Dargah of Haji Baba Ratan in Bhatinda has a commemorative
marble inscription that states that the tomb was whitewashed and
repaired under the supervision of Jogi Das shiqqdar (revenue collector)
under the ministership of Rai Todarmal in February 1643. This could
be none other than (Raja) Todarmal Shahjahani.3
PANDIT TODARMAL JAIN (1719-66)
Pandit Todarmal was a scholar and leader of the Digambara
Terapanthi sect of Jainism from Jaipur. He frequently lectured in the
Diwan Badhichand Sah Temple at Jaipur. He wrote Hindi commentaries
on important Digambara philosophy works and later independent
 EXAMINING THE IDENTITY OF TODARMAL IN SIKH HISTORY 27

works like Rahasyapurna Citthi (Spiritual Letter) in 1754 and

Moksandrgaprakasaka. The latter is the most influential text of the
Terapanthi tradition and is popular among Digambara Jains.
After his death, his younger son Gumaniram became the leader
and in the 1770s he established a stricter set of ritual rules for his
followers, and they came to be known as Guman Panth. They prefer
to call themselves Suddh Terapanth Amnaya (The Pure Terapanth
Tradition).4
Terapanthis do not worship idols and consider such worship not
to lead to salvation. They meditate upon and mentally worship those
highly developed souls who have attained liberation.5 In Guman Panth
particular emphasis was laid on the purity of conduct of its followers.6
The Arthasandrishttadhikara of Pandit Todarmal is a work of high merit
in mathematics.7
Pandit Todarmal was born in 1719 and lived most of his life in
Jaipur. The suffix Pandit is used to denoting his scholarship. He
belonged to the Khandelwal community. Pandit Bakhtram Shah in
Buddh Vilas (completed in 1770) states that Pandit Todarmal was
arrested on false charges of uprooting the Shivpindi and was sentenced
to death by the ruler of Jaipur. The sage was 47 years of age and was
executed through trampling by an elephant. This corresponds to the
year 1766 and the rule of Raja Madho Singh of Jaipur.8
TODARMAL (DAKHNI)
In 1698 Todarmal was made the sheristadar (chief officer) under
Saadatullah Khan, Faujdar of Carnatic. In 1710 Saadatullah Khan
was redesignated as Nawab and held this post till his death in 1732.
(Lala) Todarmal acted as a representative of the Khan in diplomatic
and revenue affairs.9
Todarmal visited Tirumala Temple (Tirupati district of Andhra
Pradesh) and set up statues of himself, his wife, and his mother facing
the main deity with folded hands.10 One can infer that he did some real
good to the temple during his lifetime.11
The said temple website states that the male statue is of Lala
28 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: APRIL-JUNE 2023/ 555 NS

Khemarumu a Kshatriya who was known as Todaramallu. In the Tamil

manuscripts, Todarmal has been referred to as Todarmallu. The
website further adds that he courageously protected Tirumala from
the invasions of Muslims and the British during the seventeenth century
and ‘the Lord blessed this family and bestowed them with a place in
his temple’.12 The invasions and protection could not be verified as
Saadatullah Khan is considered to be a peace-loving man13 and the
British were still a trading company only.
OTHER TODARMALS
Kailash Chand Jain (1963) in Jainism in Rajasthan states that in
1616, a Mantri (minister) by the name of Todarmal got constructed
the door of Upasara (hall for prayers & meditation) in the state of
Jaisalmer.14
None of the above is the Todarmal who made arrangements and
perform the cremation of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
and their grandmother in December 1704/05. Two eighteenth-century
accounts refer to this Todarmal.
KATHA GURU JI KE SUTAN KI (C. 1760-65)
Katha Guru Ji Ke Sutan Ki is a mid-eighteenth-century poetic
account of the martyrdom of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh
Ji namely Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh written
by Bhai Dunna Singh Handuria. The poet identifies himself as Dunna
Singh, Tarkhan (carpenter) Singh of Handur. The literal meaning of
the title is the story of the sons of Guru Ji. Encyclopaedia of Sikhism
informs that the manuscript was preserved at Sikh Reference Library,
Amritsar under MS. No. 6045 until the Library perished in the army
assault of June 1984. Luckily it was edited and published by Piara
Singh Padam before, in 1967. The poem, based on internal evidence,
was composed during 1760-65 and comprises of 122 chhands. The
poet, Bhai Dunna Singh, had been with younger Sahibzades and their
grandmother since they crossed the river Sarsa after the evacuation of
Anandpur in December 1704/05. As per the poet, he accompanied
them up to Saheri, where two Masands, Darbari and Dhuma, of the
 EXAMINING THE IDENTITY OF TODARMAL IN SIKH HISTORY 29

village of Saheri took custody of the family. As per the poem, a Sikh
by the name of Todarmal conveyed the sad news of the execution of
younger Sahibzades to their grandmother and later cremated all three
of them after seeking permission from the authorities. 15
GURU KIAN SAKHIAN (1790)
Guru Kian Saakhian, the literal meaning of the title is stories from
the lives of the Gurus. It was written by Bhatt Swarup Singh Kaushish,
of Bhadson, in Parganah Thanesar. The author records that the
manuscript was completed at Bhadson in 1847BK (or 1790 CE). The
original manuscript was written in Bhattachchhari, a script used by
the Bhatts or family bards for recording genealogical details concerning
their clients. It was later transliterated into the Gurmukhi script by
Bhatt Chhajju Singh Kaushish in 1925 BK (or 1869 CE).
The author writes that while Guru Gobind Singh Ji was at Raikot
hosted by Rai Kalha, Prohit Daya Singh came and told that the younger
Sahibzades have attained martyrdom and this news was conveyed to
him by Bhai Dunna Singh Tarkhan. Rai Kalha then sends his messenger
Noore Mahi to Sirhind to get more details. When Noore Mahi came
back, he informed Rai Kalha that he stayed in the house of Diwan
Todarmal. The Sahibzades and their grandmother were put in the cold
tower and tortured for four days and on the fifth day, they were
martyred. After this sad event, Diwan Todar Mal Kapoor and his
younger brother collected the three dead bodies and cremated them
outside Sirhind town.16
MALWA DESH RATAN KI SAKHI POTHI (C.1823)
In 1876 Sirdar Attar Singh published an English translation of
Malwa Desh Ratan Ki Sakhi Pothi written around 1823 under the title
The Travels of Guru Tegh Bahadar & Guru Gobind Singh. The Sakhi 103
states that Rama Singh and Tiloka Singh, the sons of Sardar Phul
came to meet Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Damdama Sahib. The Sangat
commends them for cremating the Sahibzades. It is not clear if this
refers to elder or younger Sahibzades as neither Chamkaur nor Sirhind
has been mentioned. 17 Malwa Desh Ratan Ki Sakhi Pothi in Punjabi was
30 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: APRIL-JUNE 2023/ 555 NS

published in 1950.18
Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in Gur Shabad Ratanakar Mahan Kosh
(Encyclopaedia of Sikh Literature) published in 1930 perhaps used
this source and under Bhai Rama’s entry writes that Rama Singh and
Tiloka Singh performed the cremation of younger Sahibzades. Under
Todarmal, the author describes him as a resident of Sirhind and a
Shahukar (money lender) who consoled Mata Gujri Ji after the
martyrdom of Sahibzades. As per some historians, he (Todarmal)
cremated Mata Ji and younger Sahibzades.19
In Tawarikh Guru Khalsa Padshahi Dasvi (1899), Giani Gian Singh
refers to the above Sakhi but mentions that Ram Singh & Tilok(a)
Singh went to Chamkaur and cremated the elder Sahibzades.
SURAJ PRAKASH GRANTH (1843)
Kavi Santokh Singh wrote the magnum opus in poetry known as
Sri Gurpartap Suraj Granth and it was completed in 1843. Poet like
Guru Kian Sakhian writes that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was at Raikot at
Rai Kalha’s residence and despatches Noore Mahi to Sirhind to get
more information. He returns and informs that Todarmal, a rich Sikh
who intended to pay off the Mughals and secure the release of
Sahibzades and their grandmother. However, on reaching the site he
was made aware that Sahibzades had already been martyred. He then
cremates the three dead bodies.20
Max Arthur Macauliffe (1909) almost follows the above
accounts and writes that a rich Sikh called Todarmal cremated the
bodies of the Guru Sahib’s mother and her grandchildren and buried
their ashes.21
LATER ACCOUNTS - GUR PAD PREM PRAKASH (1881)
Sumer Singh wrote Sri Gur Pad Prem Prakash in 1881 in verse,
and it was first published in 1939. The author refers to Todarmal
Kapoor, a Sikh Khatri who performed the cremations of younger
Sahibzades and their grandmother after paying a sum of money (Dhan)
to the authorities.22 It is not clear if the money was paid to the
authorities so that they could release the dead bodies or if Todarmal
 EXAMINING THE IDENTITY OF TODARMAL IN SIKH HISTORY 31

was asked to pay for the land on which cremation could be performed.
This seems to be the first source that states Todarmal had to pay
money to the authorities.
Bhai Thakur Singh Giani (Vice Headmaster of Khalsa Branch
School, Amritsar) wrote a small booklet titled Shaheed Bilas Arthath
Sacchi Qurbani in 429 Nanakshahi (or 1898 CE) stated that Todarmal
a rich Khatri Sikh who lived far way came and pleads before Wazir
Khan to rescue the Sahibzades in exchange of his money and property.
Wazir Khan declines and when Sahibzades are martyred, Sikhs
(Todarmal is not mentioned) pay a large amount (of mohran) and are
then allowed to cremate the young martyrs.23
GUR PUR PRAKASH (1919)
Sant Ren Prem Singh wrote Sri Gur Pur Prakash, a versified history
in four parts of the Sikh Gurus. It was first published in 1919. The
author claimed descent and that his main source was a rare manuscript
dated 1709 by Bhai Binod Singh, a descendant of Guru Angad Dev Ji
and contemporary of Banda Singh Bahadar. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism
which provides this information does not mention if any scholar has
studied and verified the antiquity of this manuscript.
It states that Todarmal, a Sikh laid down the coins (mohran) on
the ground for payment and sought permission (from authorities) to
cremate younger Sahibzades and their grandmother.24
SIKH HISTORIOGRAPHY IN ENGLISH BEFORE 1970
It seems that modern historians (including Sikhs) of the 20th
century while writing the history of the Guru period seem to have
ignored Kavi Santokh Singh. John Malcolm (1812), JD Cunningham
(1853), and Syad Muhammad Latif (1891) as early non-Sikh writers
could be excused for not mentioning the cremation of younger
Sahibzades.
Eminent historians who are silent of the cremation of the younger
Sahibzades include History and philosophy of the Sikh religion by Khazan
Singh (1914), A History of the Sikh People by Gopal Singh (1939),
Evolution of the Khalsa Vol-II The Reformation by Indubhusan Banerjee
32 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: APRIL-JUNE 2023/ 555 NS

(1947), Transformation of Sikhism by Gokul Chand Narang (1912, 1945,

1946),
A Short History of the Sikhs Vol 1 (1469-1765) by Teja Singh &
Ganda Singh (1950), A History of the Sikhs Vol 1 by Khushwant Singh
(1963, 2004), Guru Gobind Singh A Biographical Study by J. S. Grewal
(1967), History of the Sikh Gurus A Comprehensive Study by Surjit Singh
Gandhi (1978) among others. There were very few exceptions and
one of them was Life of Guru Gobind Singh by Kartar Singh (1951)
which mentions Todarmal but the book is silent about the cremation
of Sahibzades.25
Hari Ram Gupta in his famous work History of the Sikhs Vol 1,
first published in 1978 writes that a local Banya Todarmal, a rich banker
cremated the Sahibzades. The footnote refers to Kavi Sainpat’s
GurSobha (1711) and Janamsakhi Guru Gobind Singh Ji written in Urdu
in 1919 by Hakim Ram Kishan. The former may have been a printing
error as GurSobha does not refer to the cremation of younger Sahibzades
or Todarmal.26 The History of the Sikh & Their Religion Vol 1 edited by
Kirpal Singh & Kharak Singh and published by the SGPC also quotes
Hakim Ram Kishan.27
SIRHIND THROUGH THE AGES
In 1972 Punjabi University, Patiala published the book titled
Sirhind through the Ages edited by Fauja Singh. The book had articles by
eminent historians on Sirhind in some detail.
Gurbux Singh mistakes Seth Todarmal with (Raja) Todarmal
Shahjahani. The latter had died in 1666 hence he cannot be the same
person and perform the cremation of younger Sahibzades in 1704/
05. In the footnote, Gurbux Singh writes ‘the Sikhs cherish the memory
of Todarmal as he purchased land from a Muslim Zamindar Chaudhuri
Atta, by paying, in 1704, a fabulous amount of gold in order to get a
place for the cremation for younger Sahibzades & their grandmother’.28
Fauja Singh & M.S. Ahluwalia make the same error and state
Seth Todarmal and Todarmal Shahjahani as the same person. The
historians took a slightly cautious approach and write ‘the name of
Raja Todar Mal is greatly revered by the Sikhs. It is said that he
 EXAMINING THE IDENTITY OF TODARMAL IN SIKH HISTORY 33

purchased a piece of land from a local Chaudhuri at a very heavy price

and made arrangements for the cremation of the Tenth Sikh Master’s
mother and his younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. If this
is true, he must have enjoyed a very long span of life.’29
Kirpal Singh (& Fauja Singh) make the same oversight and states
Todarmal, a Mughal official is the person who cremated the younger
Sahibzades. Further, they add that Todarmal had to pay a large sum
to Chaudhuri Atta to get a piece of land for the cremation of younger
Sahibzades and their grandmother.30
This was perhaps the first time in textual sources (as far as the
writer of this article could find) Chaudhuri Atta was named as the
person who sold the land for the cremation. None of these historians
provide a reference for it but correctly refer to Wazir Khan as the
Faujdar, Amin and Diwan for the Sarkar of Sirhind, unlike the popular
tradition which states Wazir Khan was the Subedar or Governor.
Sirhind was not a Suba or province during this period.
CONCLUSION
Guru Kian Sakhian refers to Dunna Singh Tarkhan who must be
the author of Katha Guru Ji Ke Sutan Ki. Both sources mention
Sahibzades and their grandmother staying at the house of Karim
Bakhsh Macchi and then at Saheri, they went along with two Masands
although their names are not stated in Guru Kian Sakhian.
Katha Guruji Ke Sutan Ki and Kavi Santokh Singh refers to
Todarmal as a Sikh. Latter states he is a rich Sikh. All sources state or
suggest Todarmal was a Sikh (not a Khalsa). This should once and for
all resolve the ongoing debate if he was a Jain.
Guru Kian Sakhian addresses Todarmal as Diwan Todarmal
Kapoor. It is safe to assume he was an influential person who moved
within official circles as he felt brave enough to ask and was granted
permission to cremate ‘rebels of the state’ as Sahibzades were dubbed
in the court of Wazir Khan. Bhatts are experts in keeping genealogy
details hence when Swarup Singh Kaushish states Todarmal as Kapoor
(a Khatri) it must be taken seriously.
34 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: APRIL-JUNE 2023/ 555 NS

Intriguingly, Guru Kian Sakhian refers to Todarmal as Diwan.

Sirhind through the Ages correctly states that Wazir Khan was the Faujdar,
Amin & Diwan of the Sarkar of Sirhind. Hence Todarmal could not
be Diwan in the court of Wazir Khan. It will be an assumption to
suggest that he may be the grandson or descendant of Todarmal
Shahjahani and that he was named and out of respect the locals use
the suffix Diwan after his illustrious grandfather or ancestor.
He was referred to as a Shahukar (money lender) only in
twentieth-century sources. Speculation regarding such an important
personality in Sikh history should be avoided. It is fine to admit that
we have limited information on Todarmal. By adding myths to any
historical figure, we do a huge disservice to them and the wider
community as eventually questions may be raised regarding the
authenticity of their existence.
~~~

REFERENCE

1. D.C. Phillott (1977) The Ain I Akbari by Abul Fazl Allami translated
by H. Blochmann Vol 1. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Oriental Books p376-
79
2. Baini Prashad (1952) The Maathir ul Umara by Shah Nawaz Khan.
Translated by H. Beveridge. Vol 2. Calcutta: Asiatic Society. P957-
58
3. Subhash Parihar (2002) The Dargah of Baba Haji Ratan at Bhatinda.
Islamic Studies. Vol. 40. No.1 p113
4. Kristi Wiley (2004) The A and Z of Jainism. New Delhi: Vision
Books. p220-21
5. Kailash Chand Jain (1963) Jainism in Rajasthan. Sholapur:
Gulabchand Hirachand p92
6. Ibid. p93
7. Ibid. p175
8. Hukamchand Bharill (1973) Pandit Todarmal Vyakitva aur Krititva
(Hindi). Jaipur: Samarak Trust p53-56. (This is the PhD Thesis
 EXAMINING THE IDENTITY OF TODARMAL IN SIKH HISTORY 35

of Dr Bharill submitted to Indore University)

9. Muzaffar Alam & Sanjay Subrahmanyam (2012) Writing the Mughal
World Studies on Culture & Politics. New York: Columbia University
Press. p369, 372
10. N. Ramesan (1999) The Tirumala Temple. 2 nd ed. Tirupathi:
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams p41
11. T.K.T Viraraghavacharya (2003) History of Tirupati Vol II. 2nd ed.
Tirupathi: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams p625-26
12. Accessed on 18th February 2023 https://www.tirumala.org/
TTDTempleHistory.aspx
13. T.K.T Viraraghavacharya (2003) op. cit.
14. Kailash Chand Jain op. cit. p40
15. Chetan Singh (2018) Sahibzadiyan de Shaheedi Parsang (Punjabi).
Walsall: European Panjabi Sath p43-44
16. Piara Singh Padam (1986) Guru Kian Sakhian kirt Bhai Swarup
Singh Kaushish (in Punjabi). Amritsar: Singh Brother p163-64
17. Sirdar Attar Singh (1876) The Travels of Guru Tegh Bahadar & Guru
Gobind Singh. Lahore: Indian Public Opinion Press p113-114
18. Malwa Desh Ratan Ki Sakhi Pothi (in Punjabi) Khalsa Samachar,
Amritsar (1950) p 111-112 (Available on Panjab Digital Library
website)
19. Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha (1990) Gur Shabad Ratanakar Mahan Kosh
(Punjabi). Bhasha Vibhag, Patiala. 5th ed. p552
20. Ajit Singh Aulakh (2007) Sri Gurpartap Suraj Granth Sateek Vol 11
Part 3 (Punjabi). Amritsar: Chattar Singh Jiwan Singh p318-321
21. Max Arthur Macauliffe (1909) The Sikh Religion Its Gurus, Sacred
Writings & Authors Vol V. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p198-99
22. Achhar Singh Kahlon (2000) Sri Gur Pad Prem Prakash Krit Baba
Sumer Singh (Punjabi). Patiala: Punjabi University. p388
23. Bhai Thakur Singh Giani (1898) Shaheed Bilas Arthath Sacchi
Qurbani (Punjabi). Amritsar: Wazir Hind Press. p66-72
24. Sant Ren Prem Singh (1965) Sri Gur Pur Prakash (Punjabi). 4th ed.
Amritsar: Giani Press. p1889-90
25. Kartar Singh (1951) Life of Guru Gobind Singh. 2nd ed. Ludhiana:
Lahore Book Shop p189-90 (In 3rd ed. of 1968, Todarmal buys the
36 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: APRIL-JUNE 2023/ 555 NS

requisite piece of land by paying gold mohars which completely cover

it up the land and he cremates the Sahibzades p. 190)
26. Hari Ram Gupta (1984) History of the Sikhs Vol. I The Sikh Gurus,
1469-1708. 2nd ed. Delhi: Manohar p209 (reprint 2008)
27. Kirpal Singh & Kharak Singh (2004) The History of the Sikh &
Their Religion Vol. 1.3rd ed. Amritsar: SGPC p306
28. Fauja Singh (1972) Sirhind through the Ages. Patiala: Punjabi
University p41 (available of Panjab Digital Library website)
29. Ibid. p79-80
30. Ibid. p142