Inder Jeet S. ‘Prince’
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, son of great martyr Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and great grandson of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, (Both sacrificed their lives for the sake of ‘Hindu’ dharma) was born at Patna Sahib (Bihar) in 1666 AD. Guru Ji was only nine years old when he was entrusted to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of Guruship, after Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib’s martyrdom whom he himself had sent to Delhi to oppose the tyranny of the ruler. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji had gone to Delhi to meet Emperor Aurangzeb to espouse the cause of Kashmiri Pandits and advocate for the grant of religious freedom. Guru Ji instead was asked to imbrace “Islam or face death. Guru Ji was executed on the orders of emperor in Chandni Chowk Delhi.
The 10th Guru felt the need of strengthening the Indian nation. Guruji implored his followers to bring with them good quality weapons and horses while coming to see him. Guru Ji started recruiting the Khasla army, equipped it with up-to-date armaments and imparted training of all tactics.
Guru Ji also felt the need to overhaul the psychology of the superstitious and slavery stricken people. To achieve this goal, Guru Ji created “Khalsa” on the Baisakhi day of 1699. Guru Ji introduced a new form of baptism, the water used in baptism, instead of being stirred with the Guru’s toe, was now to be stirred with’Khanda’ (a double edged sword), and the Sikhs initiated were to be called Singhs (Lions) or “Khalsa” (The master’s own) They were to wear in future 5 K’s i.e. ‘Kara’ (an iron bangle), ‘Kangha’ (a comb), ‘Kesh’ (uncut hair), ‘Kachhera’ (short drawer) and ‘Kirpan’ (a sword). The first five who came forward at the call of the Guru at Anandpur Sahib on ‘Baisakhi’-day of 1699 were called “Panj Pyaras” (Lord’s beloveds). Ironically, the Ist ‘Panj Pyaras’ belonged to different parts of the country and totally different castes. They were Bhai Daya Ram, a Khatri of Lahore, Bhai Dharam Dass, a Jat of Hastnipur (Delhi), Bhai Mohkam Chand, a washerman of Dwarka, Bhai Sahib Chand a barber of Bidar and Bhai Himmat Rai a water carrier of Jaganath Puri.
The ‘Khalsa’ thus born was inspired by a sense of divine mission to right the wrongs of the world and in the discharge of his duties, no fear of earthly power was to stand in the way. This raising of the Indian spirit from servility, which had dominated it for centuries brought about a great change in the tone of the national character. Even those people who had been considered as the dregs of humanity were changed, as if by magic into something rich and strange, the like of which India had never seen before the sweepers, barbers and confectioners who had never touched the sword became under the stimulating leadership of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, doughty warriors, who never shrank from fear and who were ever ready to shed their own blood where the safety of a least creature of God was in danger. Even their outward appearance underwent a marvellous change. They came to be regarded as the models of physical beauty and stateliness of character.
Throughout his life Guru Ji fought against injustice and tyranny. The manner in which Guru Ji sacrificed the lives of his father, his mother, his beloved associates whom he regarded his own flesh and blood and all the four sons at the altar of duty towards his motherland is an example which will remain unparalleled in history for generations to come.
Guru Ji’s elder two sons were martyred while fighting with the enemy in “Chamkaur Sahib” while the younger two aged 8 and 6 were bricked alive on the orders of Governor of Sirhind in the X’ mass week of 1704.
The Dasmesh Guru fought as many as 14 battles but never fought for any territory or wordly power, or against any religion or sect, but had set himself against injustice, oppression and intolerance. Among his followers and admirers were Hindus as well as Muslims. Many staunch followers of Islam had aligned themselves with him against the imperial forces fighting on his side, Pir Budhun Shah sacrificed four of his sons and a number of his disciples in the battle of Bhangans. The Muslim ruler of Maler Kotla Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan raised a strong protest against the execution of Guru Sahib’s two minor sons at Srihind. Thus, people of different faiths were attracted to the Guru whose teachings were that all men were equal and that, though the outer forms were different the fundamental truth was the same everywhere.
As a great social and religious reformer, Guru Gobind Singh Ji kept up the tradition of Sikh Gurus who had launched a crusade against superistion, polytheism, idol-worship, infanticide caste system addictions and host of other evils. Apart from agitating the minds of the people against social maladies and malpractices. Guru Ji retained and fostered positive values like the spirit of service (“Sewa”) and sacrifice as incalcatted by the previous Gurus. Guru Ji strictly exhorted his followers to lead pure and pious life.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji had a very distinctive personality. Besides being a fearless soldier and far-sighted commander in the battle-field, Guru Ji was an intellectual and philosopher in the company of sages and seers, national patriot to the core that happily he may sacrifice his whole family at the altar of his mother-land.
Guru Ji was a flawless master of a number of languages like Arabic, Persian, Brij, Sanskrit Hindi and Punjabi. Guru Ji chose a wide range of themes to inspire new spirits in the hearts of those who had remained the very dregs of society for a number of centuries.
Guru Ji had 52 renowned poets at his Royal Court and got the old Puran and Shastras and deeds of ancient heroes translated into Hindi and Punjabi. Guru Ji wrote his autobiography in verse entitled “Bachitra-Natak” “Jaap Sahib,” “Akal-Ustat”, “Chandi-Di-War,” “Choubis-Avtaar”, “Shabad-Hazare” and “Gyan-Prabodh” are some of his famous works. “Zafar-Nama” (Epistle of victory), the letter written in persian script which was despatched to the Emperor Aurangzeb is still read with great reverance.
King Bahadur Shah the elder son of Aurangzeb ascended the throne of Mughal empire after the death fo Aurangzeb with the active assistance of Sikh army. Now, Guru Ji was guest of Bahadur Shah and accompanied the latter to his march to the south to suppress the rebellion of his younger brother Kam Baksh. At Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra, Guru Ji was fatally stabbed by the agents of Nawab of Srihind and left for his heavenly abode on Oct 7, 1708.
But before this, Guru Ji proclaimed that “from today on the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (The holy book of the Sikhs), is the Guru and it should be regarded as the embodiment and visible form of all the 10 Gurus.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was a true son of India who throughout his life span thought for the country, fought for the country and sacrificed his all for the country. He strived hard for achieving his goal of establishing “Dharma” and uprooting the evil forces. It was his strong desire to see his country free, prosperous and peace loving and it was his Khasla Panth who fulfilled his ambition later on and accomplished the noble work set forth by the 10th master.
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