Sikh Stories Origins and its Relationship to Coins. Part 3 : Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ and the 500 gold Mohurs

Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ and the 500 gold Mohurs

By Saran Singh Sidhu and Dalwinder Singh Sidhu

 

Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ (1619 – 1674) was a devout Sikh and wealthy merchant. One one occasion, he was travelling on a ship laden with his goods. When the ship reached the coastal area of Surat, there was a terrible storm and the ship was likely to capsize in the sea. Makhan Shah prayed to God and asked the Guru to help him. He made a wow to donate 500 pieces of Gold Mohurs to the Guru for the common good of the people. After some time, the strom subsided and the ship managed to reach the shore.

 

In mid 1664 (AH 1075), Makhan Shah arrived at Delhi. He was informed that the Eight Guru, Sri Guru Krishan Saheb Ji had passed away in March 1664 and had appointed his successor to the Gurgaddi as Baba Bekala. Makhan Shah decided to go to the town of Bekala to seek the Guru. On reaching Bekala, he found many false claimants to the Guruship. To test all these claimants, Makhan Shah decided to place one Gold Mohur in front of each of them, but without any success. Finally, Makhan Shah was informed there was one Guru left in a secluded area of Bekala.  With great respect, he placed one Gold Mohur in front of Baba Bekala, who was Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Saheb Ji, the true Guru. The Guru looked at Makhan Shah and said “you made a wow to donate 500 Gold Mohurs, where are the balance?”

 

Makhan Shah was filled with happiness that he had finally found the true Guru and fell at his feet in gratitude. He climbed up to a high spot and declared that the real Baba Bekala had been found. Except for all the false claimants, the hearts of all the people were filled with joy. 

 

As Makhan Shah travelled to Arabia, the major money changers were at the port of Surat, besides those at Delhi and Lahore. So the Gold Mohurs could be a mix of all Indian Mints, which matches with all the hoards observed to date. The 500 gold Mohurs which were offered by Makhan Shah ‘Lubana’ to the 9^th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Saheb Ji in August 1664 were likely from mohurs issued during that period from various Mints.