Punjabi University Patiala engaged nearly 200 scholars (list given in the beginning of each volume) to complie Encylopaedia of Sikhism in 4 volumes. Late Prof Harabans Singh a renowned historian was the chief editor. For each entry, all relevant sources were searched and scruitinised. For entry on Jito ji, the following is the text:
(There is no value given here to views of Prof. Sahib Singh, not even mentioned in Bibliography. Prof Sahib Singh was no doubt an expert on Gurbani translation on the basis of his knowledge of Sanskrit and Prakrit. However, he was in no way a qulified historian) Sikhiwiki is not a reliable source of historical information. I think it is the voluntary work done for Sikhnet by a couple of volunateers not historians to pass judgements on serious historical issues.
Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, edited by: Prof. Harbans Singh; Published by Punjabi University Patiala, 1996; Vol. II, p 385.
“Jito ji, Mata, the first wife of Guru Gobind Singh who died in 1700, was the daughter of Bhai Hari Jas, a Subhikkhi Khatri of Lahore. The betrothal had taken place in 1673. The father – in – Law had desired that the bridegroom should come at the head of a marriage party to Lahore where the ceremony should be performed with dignity. But the fateful events leading to the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur intervened, and in the changed circumstances it was not possible for the young Guru to go to Lahore. Therefore, a temporary encampment was raised near the village Basantgarh, 10 km to the north of Anandpur, and named Guru ka Lahore where the nuptials were held on 23 Har 1734 Bk/ 21 June 1677. Three sons were born to Mata Jito ji – Jujhar Singh (14 March 1691), Zorawar Singh (17 November 1696) and Fateh Singh (25 February 1699). As Guru Gobind Singh was preparing Amrit for initiating the Khalsa, on 30 March 1699, stirring clean water in an iron bowl with Khanda or double-edged sword, Mata Jitoji, as the tradition goes, came with sugar crystals which were dropped into the vessel at the Guru’s bidding. Sweetness was thus added to the alchemy of steel. Mata Jitoji died at Anandpur on 5 December 1700. The cremation took place at Agampura, near Holgarh Fort. A memorial shrine now stands upon the spot.”
