The history of the Dasam Granth is related to the time of creation and compilation of various writings by Guru Gobind Singh in form of small booklets, some of which are Sikh prayers. The first combined-codex manuscripts of the Dasam Granth were created during the Guru period. It is also said that after 1708, the Dasam Granth was allegedly compiled by Mani Singh, contributed by other Khalsa armymen under direct instructions of Mata Sundari and this volume is recognized as Sri Dasam Granth Sahib (according to a letter attributed to Mani Singh).Sri Gur Sobha, Poet SenapatGurbilas Patshshi 10, Koer Singh KalalBansavaliNama Kesar Singh ChibberMahima Parkash, Sarup Dass BhallaGuru Kian Sakhian, Sarup Singh KausishSketch of Sikhs - Sir JB MalcolmGiani Gian SIngh, Twarikh Guru Khalsa The present day Dasam Granth includes Jaap Sahib, Akal Ustat, Bachitar Natak, Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas, Chandi Charitar II, Chandi di Var, Gyan Prabodh, Chaubis Avtar, Rudra Avtar, 33 Sawaiye, Khalsa Mahima, Shashtar Nam Mala Purana, Ath Pakh-yaan Charitar Likh-yatay and Zafarnamah.
In the 18th century, the text was viewed by Sikhs as the guru-incarnate, however doubts arose regarding its authenticity in the 20th century. Some argue that Guru Gobind Singh did not compile the book himself, and the historic authenticity of some of the later additions to the Dasam Granth (apocrypha) is questioned by scholars. There is a prevalent view that the Dasam Granth was written by Nirmala scholars or Hindu Pundits or Saktas scholars, possibly under the patronage of the British, and was an attempt to Hinduize Sikhism. According to them, some of the compositions included in Dasam Granth (such as Charitropakhyan) are out of tune with other Sikh scriptures, and must have been composed by other poets.
According to Giani Gian Singh, the Ram Raiyas of Payal, part of a heretical Sikh sect, were the first recorded critics of Dasam Granth in Sikh history, who attacked on Ragi Bulaki Singh for reading hymns of Dasam Granth.ਏਸ ਸਮੇ ਇਕ ਬੁਲਾਕੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਸ਼ਹੂਰ ਰਾਗੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਬੰਦੇ ਪਾਸ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਕੇ ਫਰਿਆਦ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਲਕੇ ਪਾਇਲ ਘੁੜਾਣੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ ਠੈਹਰ ਕੇ ਜਦ ਮੈਂ ਰਹੁਰਾਸ ਪੜਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਨੇ ਦਸਮ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਚੋਪਈ ਪੜ੍ਹੀ ਤਾਂ ਉਥੋਂ ਦੇ ਰਾਮਰਈਏ ਲੋਗਾਂ ਨੇ ਦਸਮੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਨੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਨੇ ਬਦਲੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਭੀ ਗਾਲਿਆਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੀ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੰਦਾ ਭੀ ਭੰਨ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਿਆ ਦੇਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ ? ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਸੁੰਨ ਕੇ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਨੇ ਬੰਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਨਾਲ ਲੇਕਰ ਪਾਇਲ ਪਰ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਈ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਪਾਇਲ ਨੂੰ ਲੁੱਟ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਰਾਮਰਾਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਜਾਏ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਤੇ ਬੁਲਾਕਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੂੰ ਉਥੇ ਦਾ ਥਾਨੇਦਾਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਆਪ ਇਕ ਦਸਤਾ ਫੌਜ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਤੋਪਾਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਮਲੇਰ ਕੋਟਲੇ ਕੀ ਤਰਫ਼ ਕੂਚ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ । (Page-28,29-Shamsher Khalsa, Giani Gian Singh) (Ram Raiyas were considered enemies of the Gurus and one of the Panj Mel; founder Ram Rai was ex-communicated by Guru Har Rai for his appeasement of the Mughals.) However, considering that Gian Singh was a Nirmala intellectual, this particular story should be viewed with caution, as it could merely be an attempt to tie criticism of Dasam Granth to heretical sects, and therefore to heresy and blasphemy.
Etymology The name Dasam Granth means "book of the tenth [guru]". Another theory is that the name refers to the work being a tenth of what is remaining of what was originally a much larger collection.
History Kamalroop Singh Birk argues that the Dasam Granth was compiled in the court of Guru Gobind Singh, rather than being compiled by Bhai Mani Singh after the guru's death.Birk, Kamalroop Singh. Dasam Granth re-examined: an examination of the textual history with reference to key authors and commentators. Doctoral dissertation. University of Birmingham, 2013. https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/4285/ According to Jagtar Singh Grewal, based upon internal evidence and Sikh accounts, the constituent works of the composition were authored at the following dates: Jaap Sahib and Akal Ustat in 1677 Krishan Avtar, began at Makhowal in 1684 and completed at Paonta in 1688 Charitro Pakhyan, began in 1691 and finished in 1696 Bachittar Natak, completed in 1698 Ram Avtar, completed in 1698 There are some manuscripts of the work dating to the late 17th century, such as the Anandpuri Bir, dating to 1696. Many works were lost during the 1704 evacuation of Anandpur Sahib. In the following decades, the corpus of texts were recollected by three persons: Mani Singh, Deep Singh, and Sukha Singh of Patna. These independent collections are mostly the same content, with minor variations/differences. During the Singh Sabha movement, the Tat Khalsa rejected the text as it did not align with their conceptualization of Sikhism. Meanwhile, the Sanatan Sikhs of the Amritsar Singh Sabha were in favour of the work, formulating a committee in 1885 to create a standardised version of it. In 1897, the scripture was standardized and printed, with the apocrypha works found in historical manuscripts being left-out of the printed, standardized version. The Amritsar Singh Sabha committee published their canonical print of the scripture in 1902 under the title Dasam Granth. The modern printed text is 1,428 pages in-length.
Resources
Following are early Sikh references of historical books and manuscripts mentioning different compositions and poetry from Dasam Granth:
17th century resources
Sri Gur Katha, Bhai Jaita Sri Gur Katha is work of Bhai Jiwan Singh, composed in the last decade of the seventeenth century,Bhai Jaita’s epic Sri Gur Katha: a New Milestone in the Sikh Literature, Raj Kumar Hans, MSU Baroda Paper for the Conference on Sikhi(sm), Literature and Film, Hofstra University, 19-21 Oct 2012 does not mention about Dasam Granth but does mention Chopai (Charitar 404), Savaiyey (Akal Ustat) and Jaap Sahib recitation during creation of Khalsa Panth.Line 118, Page 73, Sri Gur Katha, Bhai Jaita
The Anandpur Marco Bir (Not to be confused with the Anandpur Hazuri Bir, written by Bhai Mani Singh) is said to have been written by Guru Gobind Singh himself,Singh, Kamalroop, and Gurinder Singh Mann. "The Graṅth of Guru Gobind Singh: Essays, Lectures, and Translations." (2015). as evidenced by the distinct calligraphy. The bir (copy of the scripture) is commonly mistaken as a Dasam Granth manuscript, but is in fact an Adi Granth manuscript.
There are at least 4 manuscripts of the Dasam Granth from the late 1690s.
Anandpuri Birh (1696) - This manuscript was created in the court of Guru Gobind Singh. It contains three primary sections, and was written by multiple scribes. The guru also left various footnotes, and 8 folios of handwritten bani from Guru Gobind Singh can be found in this manuscript. The Zafarnama was later appended to the Manuscript. Patna Birh #1 (1698) - This manuscript contains various apocryphal compositions. The Zafarnama and Hikayats were later added at the end of the manuscript. Patna Birh #2 (1698) - This manuscript also contains various apocryphal compositions, and is inlaid with gold. Akal Takht Birh (1698) - This manuscript is visually very similar to the Patna Birh #1. It was written with the Hikayats, and the Zafarnama was later added in. This challenged the notion that the Hikayats were written in the 1700s with the Zafarnama. Kamalroop Singh concludes that the Hikayats were written in Paonta Sahib.
18th century resources
Rehitnama, Bhai Prehlad Singh This booklet contains short poem having 38 couplets written by Bhai Prehlad Singh in the early 18th century, whose hymn, Sab Sikhan ko Hukam hai Guru Maneyo Granth, is heavily quoted among Sikhs. This Rahitnama mentioned first composition of Dasam Granth i.e. Jaap Sahib, a Sikh liturgy. Following is a quote from the same: ਬਿਨਾ 'ਜਪੁ' 'ਜਾਪੁ' ਜਪੇ, ਜੋ ਜੇਵਹਿ ਪਰਸਾਦਿ || One who is spending life(doing religious activities) without Understanding of Japuji Sahib and Jaap Sahib, ਸੋ ਬਿਸਟਾ ਕਾ ਕਿਰਮ ਹੂਇ, ਜਨਮ ਗਵਾਵੈ ਬਾਦ || he is living insect of excreta and will lose this birth.
Rehatnama Hazuri, Bhai Chaupa Singh This Rehitnama is the most elaborate statement of rules of conduct for the Sikhs which is traditionally ascribed to Bhai Chaupa Singh Chhibbar concluded AD 1702–1706. This rehitnama states various lines from different Banis of Dasam Granth.
Sri Gur Sobha, Poet Senapati This historical book was completed by Senapati, The court poet of Guru Gobind Singh, after his demise in 1711. The source does not mention about Dasam Granth as Granth was compiled later to this source by Mani Singh. Though, this source mentioned the content of Bachitar Natak and Kalki Avtar.
The main topic is stated with the Akal Purkh's declaration of the purpose for which Guru Gobind Singh was deputed to take birth in this world. This is reminiscent of ‘Akal Purkh’s Bach’ of Bachittar Natak. The book ends with the poet's wishful thinking that the Master will come again to Anandgarh to redeem the world by defeating the evil forces and protecting and caring for the holy persons. This is on similar lines as Nihkalank Kalki Avtar described in Dasam Granth which indicates the presence of Bachitar Natak during that period. This book is written not only in the style and language of the Sri Dasam Granth but some verses are similar to the verses found in Sri Bachitra Natak, most notably the battles of Guru Gobind Singh.
Letter to Mata Sundri, Bhai Mani Singh The letter is claimed to have been written by Bhai Mani Singh to Mata Sundari in 1716, after 8 years of demise of Guru Gobind Singh.....ਭਾਈ ਮਨੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਰਾਜਧਾਨੀ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਰੰਤਰ ਬਣਿਆ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਪੱਤਰ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਜੋਤੀ-ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮਾਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਕੋਈ 4-5 ਸਾਲ ਬਾਅਦ ਦਾ ਹੈ।.....Sri Dasam Granth Krtitv, Dr. Harbhajan Singh This manuscript provides evidence of existence of 303 Charitars, Shastar Nam Mala and Krishna Avtar compositions....ਭਾਈ ਮਨੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਮਾਤਾ ਸੁੰਦਰੀ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਇਕ ਪੱਤਰ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਵਿਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ 303 'ਚਰਿਤਰ ਉਪਾਖਿਆਨ' ਅਤੇ 'ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਅਵਤਾਰ' ਦਾ ਪੂਰਬਾਰਧ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਣ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਦਾ ਉਤਰਾਰਧ ਅਥਵਾ 'ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਮ ਮਾਲਾ' ਨਾ ਮਿਲਣ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ...Sri Dasam Granth Krtitv, Dr. Harbhajan Singh Among critics Gyani Harnam Singh Balabh believes that only 303 Charitars were written by Guru Gobind Singh among 404 Charitars in Charitropakhyan. The authenticity of this letter is questionable and has been suggested as being forged by many scholars....ਇਹ ਵੀ ਸੋਚਣ ਦੀ ਗਲ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਜੇ ਇਸ ਚਿੱਠੀ ਦੇ ਅਸਤਿਤ੍ਵ ਦੀ ਖ਼ਬਰ 'ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ' ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਉਤੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਲਦੀ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਪੂਰੇ 'ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ' ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ-ਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਦਸਣ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਫ਼ਰਜ਼ੀ ਚਿੱਠੀ ਬਣਾਈ ਹੈ। ਪਰ ਸਥਿਤੀ ਇਸ ਦੇ ਉਲਟ ਹੈ। ਜਿਸ ਗਿ. ਹਰਨਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ 'ਬਲਭ' ਨੇ ਸ. ਕਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ 'ਹਿਸਟੋਰੀਅਨ' ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰੁੇੁਰਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਇਸ ਪੱਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਜ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਿਆ ਸੀ, ਵਾਸਤਵ ਵਿਚ ਉਹ 'ਦਸਮ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ' ਦਾ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਸੀ। 'ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾਵਤਾਰ ਬਾਣੀ', ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਇਸ ਪੱਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਹਰਨਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਕਿਸੇ ਕਵੀ ਦੀ ਰਚਨਾ ਮੰਨਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ 'ਚਰਿਤਰੋਪਾਖਿਆਨ' ਦੇ ਕੇਵਲ 303 ਚਰਿਤ੍ਰ ਗੁਰੂ-ਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਹਨ। ...Sri Dasam Granth Krtitv, Dr. Harbhajan Singh
Parchi Gobind Singh - Bava Sevadas This manuscript was finished sometime in the first quarter of the eighteenth century(around 1741) by Seva Das, an Udasi. This book mentioned two shabads of Rama AvtarSakhi 50, Parchi Guru Gobind Singh Ki, Sevadas and from 33 Swaiyey.Sakhi 87, Parchi Guru Gobind Singh Ki It also mentioned that Guru Gobind Singh had written Zafarnamah and stories in Hikaaitaan during his lifetime.Sakhi 13, Parchi Guru Gobind Singh Ki, Bava Sewadas This serves as evidence of existence of these hymns and composition during the early 18th century and its spread among scholars and common people of that period.
The source does not mention about Dasam Granth as it contains events of Guru's lifetime but it evident existence of 4 compositions in the early 18th century.
Gurbilas Patshahi 10, Bhai Koer Singh Kalal This book mentioned about serve as evidence to Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib, written in 1751 after 43 years of Guru Gobind Singh demise also mentioned most of the compositions of Dasam Granth. Though, this book does not cover events happened after the demise of Guru in much detail.