Bhai Ram Koer ji used to live with Guru Gobind Singh ji. Bhai Ram Koer ji dictated the whole history of the Gurus. The history of the Gurus was contained in the pothis (books) written by Bhai Sahib Singh ji Likhaari.
Another source of the history was Bhai Mani Singh ji Shaheed. Bhai Mani Singh Sahib ji was the scribe of Guru Granth Sahib ji. Bhai Mani Singh ji was very intelligent and knowledgeable. His writings are also used to write this history written by Kavi Santokh Singh ji. Other Saints had writings as well that were used. Some history was verbal that were told to Kavi ji by eye witnesses. Kavi Santokh Singh ji travelled from village to village and bound the history in poetry form in beautiful Chands (poetic measures). Kavi ji travelled to remote villages where the history of the Gurus was found. Guru ji had visited those places and accounts of their miracles were kept there. The history of the Gurus was spread out and this was the first Granth which had the collection of the complete history of the Gurus, written by Kavi Santokh Singh ji. It was like gold mixed in sand. This is the way Bhai Santokh Singh ji collected the gold. The reason to write this history was so Kavi Santokh Singh ji’s life would be blessed. He only asked for Sikhi and not money. He did not desire popularity nor glory. He only wanted to sing the glories of the Gurus. Just as butter is contained in yoghurt and needs to be churned, Kavi ji churned the history of the Gurus and presented this Granth. The history was analysed by Kavi ji before writing it. Just as the Devatas and demons churned the ocean and took out the priceless gems, this is how the glory of the Gurus was churned. For years to come, the Gursikhs would listen to this history and connect with the Gurus. Their love and devotion will grow by listening to this history. The Nanak Prakash Granth was written based on the Janamsakhi of Bhai Bala ji. Kavi ji wanted to write the history of the 9 Gurus but did not get the chance to till he came to Kaithal. Kavi ji was very poor when he wrote the Nanak Prakash Granth. It was written in the village Boorhia. When the Sikh Rajas found out about Kavi ji’s endeavour, they took notice and started to help. The Raja of Patiala, Karam Singh brought him to Patiala. Kavi ji only stayed there for 2 months. For some reason it didn’t work out. Then, the Raja of Kaithal, Raja Uday Singh ji (Bhai Sahib Raja Uday Singh ji) found out. He was the descendent of Bhai Bhagtoo ji, born in the house of Mai Bhikha ji. Mai Bhikha ji, although blind at the time, asked Guru Ramdas ji for a blessing: “A madani (churning tool) made of gold, used by my daughter-in-law to churn milk, seeing my grandson drinking the milk.” Guru Ramdas ji blessed her with eyesight, marriage, children and wealth. The lineage was thus: Bhai Bhagtoo ji, Bhai Gora ji, Bhai Dyaal Das ji, Bhai Deso Singh ji, Bhai Lal Singh ji and then Bhai Uday Singh ji. Raja Bhai Uday Singh was the ruler of Kaithal and a great Gursikh. He would also be included in the Amrit Sanchaar ceremonies as a member of the Panj Payaaray. Maharaja Uday Singh ji came to Patiala and took Kavi ji to Kaithal and gave him a haveli (house) and the Jageer (entitlement of public revenues) of Mothali village. The Jageer endowed the taxes as income to Kavi ji. (That haveli has been purchased by Giani Sher Singh ji Ambala in 2022). The Maharaja requested Kavi ji to write the translations of Japji Sahib. There was a translation written by Sadhu Anandghan which the Maharaja did not find scholarly. Kavi ji then wrote his version called the “Garabganjani.” After Japji Sahib, Kavi ji translated the Valmiki Ramayana from Sanskrit to Gurmukhi. It was written in Chands so the Khalsa may read the history of Sri Ram Chander ji. This Granth is kept in the Buddha Dal Toshakhana in Patiala. This Ramayana became quite famous. Then Kavi ji wrote a Vedanta Granth, explaining the Upanishads, named Aatam Puraan. That was translated into Gurmukhi. The Granth is in a Dehrudhoon Library. Kavi ji spent many years writing these Granths. The history of the Gurus at this point was just a dream. Kavi ji would do Ardaas everyday to find resources on the history of the Gurus. Then all of a sudden, Kavi ji got a hold of the Granth, dictated by Bhai Ram Koer ji. Bibi Pardhaan ji was married to Bhai Mor Singh ji (son of Bhai Ram Koer ji). Pardhaan Kaur was the daughter of Raja Ala Singh of Patiala. She had become a widow at a young age and returned to Patiala. She brought the Granths of Bhai Ram Koer ji along. Raja Uday Singh asked Raja Karam Singh to give the Granths to Kavi Santokh Singh ji.
Kavi ji and his wife Bibi Ram Kaur ji were visited by a bihangum (celibate) Nihang Singh who came to eat Langar. He left a bag for Kavi ji. Kavi ji thought he may return one day to fetch his bag but he did not. After a few weeks, Kavi ji opened the bag and found that it contained a lot of accounts of the Gurus’ history. It is believed that the Nihang Singh was a Shaheed Singh, as he was not seen anywhere after the visit. The history was complete for Kavi ji by the will of Guru Sahib ji. After receiving all the resources, Kavi ji wrote the history. These were the historical accounts, as per Bhai Ram Koer ji. Guru Gobind Singh ji was gracious.
When Guru ji headed towards Nanded, Guru ji ordered Bhai Ram Koer ji to return to his village of Ramdaspur. Bhai Ram Koer ji did not want to leave Guru ji. Bhai Ram Koer ji said: “Guru ji, I only eat after seeing you. How will I eat if I don’t see you?” Guru ji then replied: “go hunting everyday and I shall come meet you. Your wish shall be fulfilled.” Bhai Ram Koer ji then returned to Ramdaspur and Guru ji continued to Hazoor Sahib. Bhai Ram Koer ji and Guru ji parted ways at Burhanpur. Bhai Ram Koer ji was attached to Guru ji and did not want to leave. He went hunting every day. We would go to the jungle to hunt and visit Guru ji. Till he was alive, he hunted everyday. He was 99 when he left the earth. He saw Kalgidhar ji everyday. When Guru ji went to Hazoor Sahib, Guru ji left this earth to Sach Khand afterwards. The Sikhs in Hazoor Sahib were depressed. Jathedar Santokh Singh ji stayed there but some Singhs came to Bhai Ram Koer ji. They folded their hands and bowed to Bhai Ram Koer ji. They were shedding tears as Guru ji had left. They would constantly talk about Guru Gobind Singh ji. They were in awe of the incarnation that Akaal Purakh had taken. They would reminisce: “He killed millions and disabled Delhi. Panth Khalsa was born by him. The 4 Sahibzadas achieved martyrdom. Guru ji kept fighting after his sons were martyred. He was not affected by attachment; he was the greatest warrior ever. He killed the sinners. Guru ji’s words were so powerful, but did not show his power and did everything within the rules of a human being. He had so much stamina and determination. There will never be a person with the determination equal to Guru Gobind Singh ji’s. The king that had over 2 million soldiers in his personal army, 10,000 canons and 50,000 swivel guns, he couldn’t stand in front of Guru Gobind Singh ji. The Pahari rajas had 157,000 soldiers; they could not take his radiance. The kings had to bow in front of Guru ji. The king of China was afraid of Aurangzeb. After reading the Zafarnama, Aurangzeb wrote the Pandhnama, asking for forgiveness. He understood his mistakes. There was no one greater than Guru ji.”
The Hazoori Sikhs asked Bhai Ram Koer ji for the full history. As Bhai Ram Koer ji knew Guru ji from childhood, he knew every account of Guru ji’s life. One of the Hazoori Singhs was Bhai Sahib Singh ji Likhaari who wrote down the words. They said: “Bhai Ram Koer ji, you are powerful and have the power of divine sight to see past, present and future. Please tell us the history of Guru ji. Tell us what you have seen and heard. Tell us the history of 8 Gurus after Guru Nanak Dev ji as well as Guru Gobind Singh ji’s. Tell us what they had done to bless the world and how they helped the Sikhs. We can conserve this history and the Khalsa Panth will grow by reading the history of the Gurus. These Granths will be a witness to the glories of the Gurus. Scholars will teach this history to others in the future. Sikhs will prosper and strive to be better Sikhs. Devotion and faith will grow inside them. Bhai Ram Koer ji, the Panth will be thankful to you. People will hear the history and come into the fold of Gurmat.” Bhai Ram Koer ji accepted their request and spoke the history of the 9 Gurus, as Guru Nanak Dev ji’s history was already in existence as the Janamsakhi of Bhai Bala. Bhai Sahib Singh Likhaari wrote the history as Bhai Ram Koer ji spoke. Many Sikhs came to hear the history. The history is a great epic that gives peace to Sikhs in both worlds. Whoever listens to this history, they are granted whatever their heart’s desire. This history destroys all pains, and grants the listener Brahmgyaan. Whoever listens or speaks this history with love, Guru ji grants them mukti and becomes their protector.