Ganesh Das Bhadera, also known asGanesh Das Vadhera, was a 19th-centuryPunjabi historian and official.[1] He is best known for hisChār-Bāgh-i-Punjab (1854/55) andRājdarshani (1847).[2] A chronicler of much reputation, he also authoredChīragh-i-Panjab (1846/47) on the history of the Sikhs.[3]
Ganesh Das belonged to aKhatri family fromGujrat and was theqānungo (revenue officer) of the city forSikh Empire. Earlier his father Shiv Dayal had served as revenue officer of Gujrat for Sardar Gulab Singh ofBhangi Misl as well.[4]
Ganesh Das completed his first work, namedChīragh-i-Panjab, in 1846/47 and presented it to the Nazim of Punjab — presumably SirHenry Lawrence.[5] Ganesh Das wrote hisRisala'i Şahib Numā' (also known asChahar Gulshan-i-Punjab) in 1849, which he later updated and presented to Richard Temple (settlement officer of Gujrat during 1852–54) asTarikh-i-Punjab, also knownChār-Bāgh-i-Punjab, in 1854/55;[4] theChahar Gulshan-i-Punjab is considered supplement to hismagnum opusChār-Bāgh-i-Punjab.[6][7][8] It is a detailed account of the history and geography of Punjab and the 19th century Punjabi society.[1]
Ganesh Das was employed in the revenue department byGulab Singh after the founding ofJammu and Kashmir in March 1846. He completed hisRājdarshani on the history ofJammu in 1847, named in parallel toKalhana'sRajatarangini.[2][9]
Ganesh Dass', Risala'i Şahib Numā', Tārīkh-i-Panjab and its supplement, the Chahar Gulshan - i - Panjab