Depiction of Gulabdas, founder of the Gulabdasia sect, from the title page of his book ‘Gulab Chaman’, published by Abdul Haq, Lahore, 1881

Depiction of Gulabdas (or Gulab Das), founder of the Gulabdasia sect, from the title page of his book 'Gulab Chaman', published by Abdul Haq, Lahore, 1881 in lithographic print. He is seated in the middle and nimbate, flanked on both sides by attendants and/or devotees. He was a close associate and lover of Piro Preman, the first female poet of the Punjabi-language and an ex-Muslim. Figure 7.1 Title page of Gulabdas's Gulab Chaman. The title in Gurmukhi reads Pothi Gulab Chaman Di. Text below: Printed at the request of Abdul Hag, Taj Kutub, Lahore, Bazaar Kashmiri, for the benefit of all. The picture depicts Gulabdas seated on his gaddi, his sword and shield lying next to him, an aigrette in his turban, and his head framed by a halo. Behind him holding the fly whisk is most likely his appointed successor Hargobind. To his right is his disciple and poet Kishan Singh Arif. The picture underscores the majestic aura of the guru.