It was first published in 1930 after many years of painstaking research from 1912 to 1927. Mahan Kosh as it is generally called is a model encyclopaedia. It modestly claims in it subtitle to be an encyclopaedia of Sikh literature, but it is, in fact, much more. Its remarkable coverage and exemplary accuracy has a multitude of entries ranging from brief definitions of difficult words from the scriptures and tradition, through descriptive notes on various doctrines, individuals and institutions to accounts of the Gurus. It gives careful treatment of ter-minology, which has dropped out of usage or changed its meaning.
The Mahan Kosh is indispensable for any serious student of Sikh studies, its qualities undimmed by over half a century which has passed since it first appeared in print. Bhai Kahn Singh ranks as one of the modern world’s greatest encyclopaedists. The fact that he chose to present all his work in Punjabi has limited his contribution to those who are able to read Punjabi, and although his reputation extends much farther, it is largely confined to the general area of Sikh studies. This does him less than justice. The range of his coverage, the meticulous care with which he collected and arranged his material, a scrupulous concern for accuracy and the succinct nature of his presentation, distinguishes his work. These are the qualities of a great encyclopaedist and their manifest presence in the works of Bhai Kahn Singh qualifies him as one of the truly great theologians.
PUBLICATION
While considering two existing titles, Pandit Tara Singh Narotam’s Granth Guru Girarth Kos (1895) and Hazara Singh’s Sri Guru Granth Kos (1899), Kahn Singh acknowledged there would be incredible worth in an etymology on words happening in Sikh verifiable messages just as in the Guru Granth Sahib since it would advance proficiency and basic investigations in Punjabi.
On May 12, 1912 he surrendered his situation in Nabha State and started work on the undertaking. His unique benefactor, Maharaja Brijindar Singh of Faridkot State, who had prior supported insightful work on the Guru Granth Sahib passed on in 1918. His other benefactor, Maharaja Ripudaman Singh had to abandon his seat in 1923. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala State at that point offered to guarantee the whole cost of printing. Kahn Singh completed the work on February 6, 1926 and printing started on October 26, 1927 at the Sudarshan Press in Amritsar, claimed by the artist Dhani Ram Chatrik.The primary printing, in four volumes, was done on April 13, 1930. The Languages Department of Punjab, Patiala at that point distributed Mahan Kosh in one volume and it has gone through three versions, the most recent delivered in 1981.
The Punjabi University in Patiala has made an interpretation of it into English.[3]
A Tribute to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha
