Life of Ahmad — Page 451
as GURU NANAK WAS A MUSLIM 451 universally that this cloak was a direct gift from God to Nanak. It was sent down from heaven. Nanak used to wear it. It is written in the S a kh i Chola Sahib that it came to the possession of Angad, the first successor of Nanak, who wrapped it round his head at the time of his accession to the gadd i to seek blessings from it. This became a sacred precedence and the custom was kept up by the first five successors. During the time of Arjan D a s, a tank was being dug up at Amritsar by the Sikhs. A devoted disciple, T o ta R a m, was also digging the earth among the faithful. Arjan was pleased at the sight and asked T o ta R a m if he wanted anything. He took advantage of the propitious moment and asked for the Chola Sahib which the Guru was wearing on his head. The Guru could not refuse the request and the Chola was handed over to the disciple. Later it passed into the hands of Kabul i Mall who was a descendent of Nanak. It is still treasured by the family at Dera Baba Nanak in a huge building raised by ‘Ajab Singh to the east of the village. Distinguished Sikhs, including rulers of States like Rajah Sahib Singh, Rajah Bh u p Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, have from time to time presented covers for this sacred relic of Nanak. It is now hidden under a heap of covers. Ahmad as sent the following persons to Dera Baba Nanak to look at the Chola Sahib : Mirza Ya‘q u b Baig ra , Munshi T a judd i n ra , Kh. Kam a l-ud-D i n and Miy a Ĕ Abdur Ra h m a n. The custodians of the Chola received the deputation well. The deputation reported