Hargobind was the only son of Guru Agjan Dev and Ganga Ji. He was born at WADALI near Amar on June 19, 1595. At that time Guru Arjan was staying in Wadali to avoid clash with Pirthi Chand, who was dreaming to be Guru himself and also pass Guruship to is son, Pirthi Chand got upset when he came to know about ago binds birth. He started looking for the ways to kill Hargobind in his fancy by sending a maid to season him and later on a Brahmin and a snake Charmer. Each time sod saved Hargobind. Later on the and an attack of small pox from which also he recovered. In those Jays it was rare to survive from the attack of the small pox.
Baba Budda Ji was his teacher. He taught him basic language and also taught him use of arms and horse riding. He got the religious seining from his father. He was only eleven years old. When his father Guru Arjun Dev was summoned to Lahore by Emperor Jahangir’s orders and was tortured jo death, After his father’s death he assumed Guruship at that young age. He was surrounded by hostile uncle’s family but he also has very devout Sikh like Baba Budda Ji and Bhai Gurdas.
He changed the old tradition; He wore two swords, indicating temporal power (MIRI) and spiritual power (PIRI). He dressed himself in royal style and sat on the throne. He laid the foundation of Akal Takht (The throne of timeless God) in front of the Golden Temple. The Akal Takht was made by Baba Budha Ji, Bhai Gurdas and Guru ji himself, Thus in the same compound there is Golden Temple to give the Sikhs spiritual guidance and Akal Takht to give them guidance to resolve their political questions. Thus he made Sikh religion and politics inseparable. He ordered his Sikhs to arm themselves because he saw that Sikh religion was in danger of extinction because of the antagonism of both Hindus and Muslims, The most popular arm of that time was sword, (Which is called KIRPAN IN PUNJABI). He did not raise sword for acquiring a kingdom but for the protection of Sikh religion and other minorities of that time, A Sikh is allowed to use the sword only under two circumstances, one (KIRPA FAYOUR) to protect the defenseless and weak from the oppressor and (AAN-SELF RESPECT) to protect himself and his faith, Sikhs used it to establish an empire (again to protect themselves and their faith). During the period of Banda Bahadur and Ranjit Singh Maybe this is the only option left for the Sikhs now. In Sikhism from the time of Guru Hargobind, it is justified to use power to get justice when all other means of peaceful Settlement fail
The daily routine of Guru was as follows: “He woke up before day break, bathed dressed himself in full armor and then would go to Golden Temple for morning prayers. He then preached to the Sikhs, Later in the afternoon he used to sit on Akal Takht and listen to singers recounting the feats of Heroism. Plans were made for hunting and political problems facing the Sikhs were discussed and resolutions passed. Personal conflicts of the Sikh were also decided by the Guru himself. So no Sikh had to go to the courts for resolving his dispute.
Soon Guru Ji had a fair size army, under the command of Bidi (Chand, Pirana Jatha, Langana and Painde Khan, Guru was imprisoned in the Gwalior Fort by the orders of Jahangir. Different reason has been given by different writers but mainly he was arrested because of his increasing popularity among the Punjab Masses and because of the complaints by the enemies of the Sikhs, Period of his imprisonment also varies for a few days to twelve years. It is possible that initially he was ordered to be imprisoned for twelve years but Jater on released after a short time Before he left for Delhi, he appointed Baba Budha Jias in charge of the Golden Temple and Bhai Gurdas Ji as in charge of the Akal Takht, During this time Baba Budha Jiand Bhai Gurdas started the tradition of peace mochas (called Chowkian), Sikhs would leave Amritsar and go singing hymns in small groups to Gawalior. Later on Jahangir’s relation with the Guru became friendly, all the misunderstanding was cleared, When Guru was released from jail, Guru ji asked Jahangir to release other princes also along with him; which Jahangir did. Guru was known as Bandi-Shor (The Liberator). During peace time Guru Ji did not give up military style. More and more Sikh youths came and joined his army, during this time he also sent Sikh preachers to different parts of India. After Jahangir’s death
- Shah Jahan ascended the throne of Delhi Enemies of the Sikhs again had their way. Guru Ji had to fight with the imperial army in self-defense. He fought and won all four battles. First one was because of royal hawk which was captured by the Sikhs and they refused to return because of that impartial army attacked. It was fought at the site of Hargobindpur, second at NATHANA (Gurdaspur), in 1936 and last one at KARTARPUR in 1634. The Pinde Khan took part during the first battle and after that he became very proud and started saying that Guru Ji won the battle because of them, during the 2nd and 3rd battles Guru Ji did not let him participate. Finally he left the Guru Jis army and joined the Moghal Army. Same Pinde Khan came against the Guru at Kartarpur when he was killed by Guru during the fight. While dying he asked for forgiveness and was given by the Guru
After this Guru Ji retired to Kiratpur which was established by his oldest son Baba Gurdita. Guru Hargobind had three wives. He had six children five boys, GURDTTTA, ANIRAI, SURAJ MAL, ATAL RAL, TEG BAHADUR and one daughter VEERU. Atal Rai died in childhood in Amritsar Baba Gurditta was adopted by SiriChand (Guru Nanaks son and founder of Ukases sect). He
Preceded the Guru at KIRATPUR with his family. He died at the age of Twenty-four. Ani Raiand Suraj Mal were too worldly and Teg Bahadur retired into solitude, so when the time came to pass Guruship Guru Ji chosed his grandson Har Rai, as his successor. Baba Gurditta’s older son Dhirmal, started a new sect of own Dhirmaliyas and Suraj Mals family was founder of GULAB RAIYS).
After the wars were over, Guru Ji engaged himself in praying and preaching, Last eleven years of his life he lived like a FAKIR and even did not use pillows, He was a great soldier and commander. He raised the army of Saint Soldiers. He was the founder of Akal Takht, Loh Garh fortress and Har Gobind Pur. He fought against the oppressor in self-defense only, He preached the Sikhs to live peaceful life but at the same time. He advised them to use arm if necessary. Though he did not compose any hymns himself but he preached Sikhism at faraway places and asked the Sikhs to follow Granth Sahib (The Holy Book). He always helped the needy. He used to say the mouth of a poor is Gurus Treasure, so who ever feed a hungry person it is like donating cash to Gurus Treasure, He gave the Sikhs a new direction and thus did not save only the Sikh religion, but Sikhs played a great role in defending Hinduism and for the freedom of India. It is sad that now Sikhs have to fight against their own countrymen, for their own freedom.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 30, 1986
