Inderjeet S Bhatia “Prince”
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the 6th Master of Sikhism, was the son of 5th Sikh Guru, Shree Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Mata Ganga ji. Guru ji was born on in 1595 AD, in the village Guru Ki Wadali in Amritsar district of Punjab. Baba Budha ji, a renowned divine soul of the Sikh history, was entrusted with the responsibility of educating the divine child as well as in the use of arms too.
According to historians, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, during his life time, had realized that the violent attacks and interference in the cause of propagating Sikhism would continue. This was so because Sikhism, inspite of its emphasis on peace and tolerance was perceived by Mughal rulers as a threat to their supremacy. To ensure that Sikhism could withstand such on slaughts Guru Arjan Dev Ji had his son trained in Military leadership
After the martyrdom of his father, Shree Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji served as the 6th Sikh Guru from 1606 to 1644.It is said that on the day of bestowing Guruship ceremony on 24th June,1606, Bhai Budha ji, the respected old man of Sikh brotherhood, brought him a ‘Seli’, the sacred headgear of renunciation that Guru Nanak Dev ji wore and had bequeathed to his successors one after the other. Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, of only eleven years old, put it aside respectfully and asked for a sword instead. Bhai Buddha ji, who had never handled a sword before, brought out one and put it on the wrong side. Guruji noticed it and asked for another. “I will wear two swords, “said Guru ji, A sword of “Shakti “(Power),and a sword of “Bhakti “(Devotion)
Guru Hargobind Sahib ji combined in him “Piri”(Renunciation) and “Miri” (Royalty). Henceforth, the Guru Ji’s Sikhs were to carry arms and ride horses. It gave birth to a new concept of the “Sant -Sipaahee “(“Saint -Soldier “).Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was the 1st Sikh Guru to raise an army to keep the Mughals at bay.Guru ji’s army consisted of 700 horses, 300 horsemen (risaldari) army, 500 men of Mnjha additionally joined army layer as infantry. Guru ji always gave emphasis on physical fitness to combat. Guru ji laid the foundation of “AKAL TAKHAT “, the God’s throne in front of HARMANDIR SAHIB to meet and discuss the political and religious affairs of the Sikh faith. This was also a place to overlook the welfare of the weaker and downtrodden section of the society. AKAL meaning timeless and TAKHAT meaning throne in Persian. Guru ji raised the platform of AKAL TAKHT to 12 feet , defying then Mughal emperor Jehangir’s order which said that no one could sit higher than his three feet high throne. Guru ji used to sit on this throne to guide and solve the disputes of Sikh Sangat. The AKAL TAKHT is built to the side of Shree HARMANDIR SAHIB to imply that spirituality is higher than political duties. Guru ji would 1st go to the HARMANDIR SAHIB to pay obeisance and then to AKAL Takht Sahib, thus starting the day by connecting with Waheguru ji!. It seems that the most absorbing passion of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was to steel his Sikhs against tyranny and oppression. Guru ji’s Sikhs wouldn’t frighten anyone nor were they afraid of anybody.
As Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s influence began to spread, the Mughal emperor Jehangir was stressed that Guru ji was undermining his authority. The Emperor did not want to kill Guru ji because killing his father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji had backfired and made the Sikhs stronger than before. The Emperor got Guru ji arrested by playing a trick. Guru ji was imprisoned in Gwalior fort between 1609 to 1612. There, Guru ji found 52 Hindu Kings of some small hilly states who had been imprisoned on unclear charges .Guru ji started the holding of twice- “Daily Diwans” inside the fort. Outside the fort, Sikhs from all over would walk hundreds of miles to be near their Guru ji. Seeing this devotion and great respect from the Sikhs towards their Guru, the Emperor, under public pressure, decided to free Guru ji from the Gwalior fort. However, Guru ji refused to leave until all the hilly Kings, who were imprisoned along with Guru ji were also freed. The emperor said that anyone who could hold the tassel of Guru ji’s robe could leave. At this, Guru ji got a special robe built with 52 tassels. Each ruler could thus hold on to the outfit and be released. Bhai Gurdas ji writes in his compositions (Varaan) that the true Guru is a liberator:
“SATGURU BANDICHHOR HAI,
JEEVAN MUQT KRE UDEENA”!
(The true Guru is giver of freedom from bandages and makes the detached ones liberated in life). After this episode, Guru ji came to be known as “Bandi Chhore” meaning savior of the prisoners .Baba Buddha ji got the entire city of Amritsar illuminated with lights to celebrate Guru Hargobind ji’s homecoming. This event happened to coincides with Diwali festival which continues to be celebrated as the Bandi Chhor Diwas by the Sikh Sangat all over the world.
The army of Governor of Lahore attacked Guru ji four times and every time the Mughal attack was repulsed by the disciples of the Guru ji. The plans of the Mughals to destroy the Sikh faith by killing their Guru misfired. The Mughals lost their prestige as invincible soldiers. The Sikhs, under the guidance of their Guru became more confident of their ability to protect themselves. The Sikh faith became more popular to more people.
Guru ji developed a city named Sri HARGOBINDPUR. SAHIB in Majha region of Punjab. .Guru ji also established another preaching centre at KIRATPUR SAHIB in Rupnagar district of Punjab, previously known as Ropar district. of Punjab. Guru ji spent the last decade of his life at SRI KIRATPUR SAHIB.
Guru ji passed on the Guruship to his grandson, Sri Har Rai ji ( The 7th Guru of Sikhism) Guru ji was left this world on 28th February, 1644 AD at KIRATPUR SAHIB.
Guru Hargobind Sahib ji, thus carried the same light of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, but added to it the quality of sword. Guru ji introduced martial arts and military training and created a standing Military force for the defense of the masses following their father’s martyrdom at Lahore on May 30th, 1606 AD.
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