THE PUNJABI University, Patiala, is set to examine and digitise a rare copy of the Quran, printed nearly a century ago. The only copy of this Quran, translated into Punjabi, is now with Kotakapura-based historian Subhash Parihar. Printed in April 1911, the details on this rare copy show that it was translated by a Sikh saint from Nirmala sect, while the funds were arranged by two Hindu men. It was printed at a press in Amritsar. Parihar said, “My friend Noor Muhammad from village Land of Moga showed me this Punjabi translation of the ‘Quran Sharif’, published more than a century ago, in April 1911.” “It was translated from Arabic into Punjabi by a Nirmala Sikh saint Sant Vaidya Gurdit Singh Alomhari. The expenses for this noble cause were borne by two Hindus and one Sikh - namely Bhagat Buddhamal Aadatli Mevjat, Vaidya Bhagat Guranditta Mal and Sardar Mela Singh Attar Wazirabad. The printing was done by Sardar Buddh Singh of Shri Gurmat Press, Amritsar.” [related-post] The copy of Quran has 786 pages, a number which is considered auspicious in Islam. “Actually, there are 782 pages of the text. The last four pages are of advertisements which we assume were added as the number 786 is auspicious in Islam,” said Parihar.Originally, the copy was owned by Sardar Jhanda Singh ‘Aarif’, a poet from Kotakapura. After his demise, his elder son Sardar Natha Singh presented the copy to Noor Muhammad, believing that he would understand its value and worth.“We have been unable to trace if there were some more copies of this Quran in Punjabi. Currently, this is the only copy we have. which makes it invaluable. This is what the real example of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim unity is. These people were the real nationalists,” said Parihar. Dr Jaspal Singh, vice chancellor Punjabi University, Patiala, said, “I got a call from Dr Jairoop Singh, former vice-chancellor of Central University of Punjab, about this rare Quran. I have deputed professors of our Urdu department to get this copy from Parihar and examine it. We will digitise this Quran.”
