Rai Bular Bhatti (died c. 1515 or 1518)[1][2] was a Muslim Rajput feudal lord of the Bhatti clan during the latter half of the 15th century.

Rai Bular
Posthumous depiction
Born
Rai Bular Bhatti

c. 1425 (according to records kept by bards) or 1430
Diedc. 1515 or 1518
Occupation(s)Zamindar of Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib
EmployerDaulat Khan
Known forinvolvement in life of Guru Nanak
FatherRai Bhoe

Biography

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He inherited the position as zamindar of Talwandi from his father Rai Bhoi.[3]

Although a Muslim by faith, Rai was inspired by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and donated half of his land - over 18,500 acres of agricultural land.

Mehta Kalu, the father of Guru Nanak, was an employee of Bhatti. He was among the first few people who viewed Nanak as someone who was specially gifted by God. The land he donated is now under the control of Evacuee Trust Property Board of Pakistan.[4]

Bular's descendants, the Rai family of Bhattis, have continued to play an active role in the area through to the 21st century.[4]

A portrait of Rai Bular was installed in the Central Sikh Museum of the Golden Temple complex under the supervision of the SGPC on 15 October 2022 to commemorate his important place in Sikhism.[5] His descendants from Pakistan whom were invited to attend the event were unable to due to visa clearance issues.[6]

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References

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  1. ^ "RAI BULAR". The Sikh Encyclopedia. 19 December 2000. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  2. ^ "Mehta Kalu". punjabipedia.org (in Punjabi). Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  3. ^ Dhillon, Harish (2015). "Part 1 Guru Nanak - Chapter 1 Birth and Childhood". The Sikh Gurus. Hay House. ISBN 9789384544454.
  4. ^ a b Garewal, Naveen S. (26 May 2007). "Guru Nanak's estate flourishes in Pakistan". Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  5. ^ Paul, G.S. (14 October 2022). "Golden Temple Museum to Don Rai Bular Bhatti's Portrait". The Tribune, India.
  6. ^ "Descendant of Rai Bular Bhatti denied visa for SGPC event". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 2022-11-12.