Mehta Kalu
Father of the first Sikh guru (1440–1522)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mehta Kalu, formally Kalyan Das, (1440–1522) was the father of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.[1][2][3]
4 May 1440
Bebe Nanaki
Mehta Kalu | |
|---|---|
ਮਹਿਤਾ ਕਾਲੂ ਕਲਿਆਣ ਚੰਦ ਦਾਸ ਬੇਦੀ | |
Guru Nanak visiting his parents, Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta, after returning home from an Udasi (travels). Mardana's in the foreground playing the rabab. | |
| Born | Kalyan Chand Das Bedi 4 May 1440 Dehra Sahib Lohar, Tarn Taran, Punjab |
| Died | 24 December 1522 (Aged 82) |
| Spouse | Mata Tripta |
| Children | Guru Nanak Bebe Nanaki |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Lal Chand (brother) |
Names
Various names are used to refer to Guru Nanak's father, some of which are: 'Mehta Kalu', 'Kalu Rai', 'Kalu Chand', 'Kalian Rai', and 'Kalian Chand'.[3]
Biography
Early life
Kalu was born in 1440 as 'Kalyan Das' to Shiv Ram Bedi (b. 1418) and Mata Banarasi in a Hindu Khatri family of the Bedi gotra.[3] Kalu's paternal grandfather was Ram Narayan Bedi.[note 1][3] Mehta Kalu was born in the village of Patthe Vind (now extinct, was formerly located at the present-day site of Gurdwara Dera Sahib, approximately six miles east of Naushahra Pannuan).[3]
Mehta Kalu's family later moved to the village of Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib) where Shiv Ram Bedi found employment as the village patwari (revenue official).[3] Kalu was the eldest of two sons, his younger brother was named Baba Lalu (1444–1542).[3] Lalu was born in Talwandi rather than in Patthe Vind.[3] Kalu would take over the role of village patwari from his father after his father died.[3]
Thus, he served as the patwari (accountant) of crop revenue for the village of Talwandi in the employment of the zamindar (landlord), Rai Bular Bhatti.[4][5]
Marriage
He married a girl named Tripta in 1460.[3] Two offspring were born from the couple, a daughter named Nanaki and a son named Nanak.[3]
Death
Kalu died at the age of 82 at Kartarpur, a locality that had been established by his son.[3]
Notes
- Mehta Kalu's grandfather's name is alternatively spelt as 'Ram Narain'.
