History of the Sikh Gurus (2nd Guru to 8th Guru)
Sandeep S Bajwa
1. Guru Nanak dev ji were born in Bedi Khatri family. His two most
devoted disciples were Bhai Buddha ji and Bhai Lehna ji. Neither of them
was a candidate for Guruship, they did not know that Guru wanted them to
be next guru. The Guru's selection of Bhai Lehna ji might be due to the
fact that he was more educated than Bhai Buddha ji, and also Bhai Lehna
ji were older than Bhai Buddha ji. To him Guru Nanak said : "Between
thee and me there is now no difference. None of my Sikhs hath such faith
and confidence in me as thou, and therefore I love thee most of all.
Thou art verily Angad a part of my body. I congratulate thee"
(Macauliffe, page 9) Nanak had rejected claims of his eldest son Sri
Chand as he had ascetic tendency. His younger son Lakhmi Das was not
interested in spiritual matters. Sri Chand was religious minded, many
sikhs became his followers. They were called Udasis, or the disappointed
ones with the world. Udasis are not Sikhs.
2. Guru Angad Dev ji were born as Trehan Khatri, on March 31, 1504
A.D. at Matte di Sarae in Firozepur District. On a way to pilgrimage
Lahna heard of Guru Nanak. He came to Kartarpur to pay a casual visit
and was caught for good. He served as Guru from 1539 to 1552. Guru Angad
dev ji invented Punjabi Gurmukhi script and spent most of his life
spreading Guru Nanak's bani and writing it down on Books. Guru Angad dev
ji as son of Mahajan knew Lande Mahajani script, he invented a new script
to write down Guru's bani, called it Gurmukhi which literally means 'From
the mouth of Guru', the same Punjabi we write today. Guru Angad got many
of Guru Nanak's earlist hymns from Bala Sandhu who was companion of
Guru Nanak to his long voyages. Here is one incident,
Humayun while fleeing to Iran after he lost a battle with Sher
Shah Suri came to visit Guru Angad dev ji at Khadur Sahib for Guru's
blessings against the Sher Shah Suri. Guru Angad Dev remembered
the Guru Nanak's hymns which said "They shall come in
seventy-eight (1521 AD) depart in ninety-seven (1540 AD), and then shall
rise another discpile of a hero." The Guru's silence engraged the
Emperor Humayun who drew out his sword at the Guru. Guru Angad remarked
that this sword should have been better used against rival Sher Shah Suri
rather than against the innocent man of the God who could not be forced to
grant a boon. Humayun expressed regret and his temper cooled down.
Guru Angad dev ji passed away on March 29, 1552 at the age of 48,
and nominated his 73 year old devout disciple Amar Das. Guru Angad's sons
disappoved of this pass of Guruship to Amardas.
3. Guru Amardas ji were born as Bhalla Khatri at village Basarke about
13 kms south-west of Amritsar. His father was Tej Bhan Bhalla,, a local
petty trader. They were all staunch sanatanists, and vegetarians. Amar
das had a wife, two sons and two daughters. He often went to Haridwar
and Jwalamukhi on pilgrimages and strictly observed all religious rites
and ceromonies. Amar Das had crossed sixty years of age. His brother
Manak chand lived nearby his house, Manak Chand's wife Bibi Amro use to
sing Guru Nanak's hymns. Amar Das must have heard her singing many times
before. He engquired whose hymns she was singing and immediately made up
his mind to call on Guru Angad. It was in 1541, when Amardas was 62 years
old. Guru Amardas ji were on Guru ship from 1552 to 1574, he moved to
Goindwal from Khadur to avoid conflict with Guru Angad's son's., elder of
whom named Datu had declared himself as a Guru.
Guru Amardas ji, condemnned Hindus for Sati, allowed
widow remarriage and against Caste systems he started Guru Ka Langar.
He passed on his Guru Ship to his son in law, Ramdas Sodhi, who was
his most devoted disciple. Guru Amardas ji organised the proleystaion of
Sikh faith into Manjis. He divided the area into 22 branches called
Manjis and appointed a local Sikh preacher at each place. The
preacher sat on a Manji (a cot) while the congregation all around
it.
Here are the name of the people he appointed to preach Sikhism.
in the are of Majha (Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkote)
1. Manak Chand Jhinwar (Water Carrier) at Variowal in Amritsar.
2. Sada ram, a Blacksmith near Amritsar.
3. Hindal at Jandiala near Amritsar.
4. Gangu Shah banker at Lahore.
5. Mutho-Murari, a devoted couple, at Chunian in Lahore Dist.
In Jalandhar Doab
1. Paro Julka at Jalandar.
2. Mahesh Dhir at Sultanpur Lodi.
In Kangra Hills.
1. Sawan mal, Nephew of Guru Amar Das, at Haripur Guler.
2. Name not given, at Dharamsala.
Kashmir Hills.
1. Phirya at Mirpur.
Malwa (Area of Patiala, Ludhiana, Bhatinda)
1. Kheira at Firozpur.
2. Mai Das Bairagi in charge of Ludhiana dist.
3. Mai Bhago at village Wayun, tehsil Kharar, dist. Rupar.
4. Mai Sewan at Village Gardnoh in Patiala District.
5. Sachna Shah in charge of Ambala distt.
Sind
1. Lalu in chage of some area in Sind.
Guru Amardas appointed three women as preachers was a unique
contribution of Amardas. Guru Amardas ji were highle pleased with one of
his disciple named Bhai Jetha, first Guru Amardas ji married his daughter
Bibi Bhani to Bhai Jetha, and then delighted with the couple's devotion,
he passed on the Guruship to Bhai Jetha as Guru Ramdas. In his devotion to
Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, God and his Sikhs Guru Amardas was as firm
as a rock. He departed from this world on September 1, 1574.
4. Guru Ramdas ji were born as Sodhi Khatri, called Jetha or the
eldest child was born at Chuna Mandi, Lahore on September 24, 1534. His
father Hari Dass, a Sodhi Khatri was a petty trader. Jetha became a
Guru at the Age of forty in 1574. Guru Ramdas ji founded the City of
Amritsar and constructed the Golden Temple. According to the Gazetter of
Amritsar District "In 1577 he obtained a grant of the site, together with
500 Bighas of Land, from the Emperor Akbar on Payment of Rs. 700 Akbari
to the Zamindars of Tung who owned this land." Amritsar Gazetter
(1883-1884, page 61). He wrote several books, as well as kept the
tradition of Gurus in preaching. Guru Ram Das nominated his youngest son
Arjan Mal as his successor. Arjan's greatness been predicted by Guru
Amardas, who had observed "Yeh mera dohita, Bani da bohita banega."
(This grandson of mine shall be the boat to carry Guru's message
everywhere.) The Guru's eldest son Prithi Mal generally called Prithia
was cut up rough. He vehementaly protested against his supersession.
The second son Mahadev did not press his claim. "Prithia", writes
macauliffe , "Whose anger knew no bounds, addressed offensive language to
his father, and then informed Bhai Buddha that his father had acted
improperly." he vowed that he would seat himself on the throne of Guru.
4. Guru Arjan dev ji were Guru from 1581 to 1606. He was the first Sikh
martyr.
Then the rest of the Gurus were from the same lineage, not necessarily
following the order.
Guru Arjan Dev ji were Sodhi, Younger son of Guru Ramdas ji.
Guru Arjan Dev ji were spiritually very promising and had written
several poetic letters to his father, he was sent away due to intrigues
of his elder brother Prithi mal. Guru Ramdas ji finding out the humility
and all the necessary ingriedients to server the Nanak's path, made his
younger Son a Guru. Elder sonwas angry and he started his own panth.
Guru Arjan dEv ji made the Masands, who could settle disputes among
Sikhs as well as preach them. Masands were not paid any salary.
All Sikhs use to pay dasvand, or the 10% of their income of year, which
was used to build Gurudwaras, etc. Guru Arjan dev ji completed the Hari
Mandir at Amritsar which was started by his father Guru Ramdas ji.
He also compiled the teachings of all Gurus into one big book named
'Adi Granth', the Guru Granth is the same book, there were two copies
of this book., one of copies is still at Golden temple, first floor.
( Ironically, the granthi who was reading the same Guru Granth during
Operation Blue Star in 1984, died right on the spot. )
Guru Arjan taught that mundane pleasures could be enjoyed with
in proper limits and they should not be allowed to interfere with good
living. He erected "lofty buildings" in Amritsar. Emperor Akbar
visited Guru Arjan dev ji, Guru represented the views of his people to
Akbar that, during the stay of the imperial army in Punjab the price of
grain had gone up, the revenues of paraganahs had been increased. It
was difficult for the subjects to pay the enhanced revenues. The emperor
acceded to his request and orders to his cheif Diwan to reduce the
revenue to 1/6th. Emperor Akbar also had a feast among the Sikh devotee
at Guru ka Langar sitting among commoners. This raised the prestige of
Guru. The rural traders and peasents of Majha became Sikhs in large
numbers, as Guru had got emperor to reduce the taxes.
Guru Nanak had preserved his own compositions as well as those of
some other bhaktas. When departing, he handed them over to his
successor, Guru Angad. Following this example, Guru Angad and Guru
Amardas, preserved their own hymns. This individual collection was
called Bani Pothi or Book of hymns. The hymns were arranged by Guru
Amardas grandson, Sahansar Ram, in two volumes. They were written in
Gurmukhi. One of them had 224 leaves other 300. The volumes contained
some hymns of Jaidev, Kabir, Farid, Ravidas, Sain and Trilochan. Guru Arjan
dev
sent Bhai Buddha to get this copy but Sahansar Ram refused. Later Guru
Arjan Dev went himself and got both of the volumes. Guru Arjan along
with Bhai Gurdas, who was a nephew of Guru Amardas, born in 1551, so
devoted to Sikhism that he never married, compiled the Granth, or the Guru
Granth of today. Today's Guru Granth contains 3,384 hymns and 15,575
stanzas. Of these 13,658 stanzas are composed by Gurus rest by the
other saints. Guru Arjan dev's composition in Guru Granth are Sukhmani,
and Bara Maha.
Prithi Mal and his son Meherban called themselves real gurus and
Meherban glorified his father Prithia and discredited Guru Nanak's
hymns. They were both plotting against Guru Arjan. Others who were
against Guru were Sulahi Khan of Batala, Chandu Shah Khatri of Lahore,
Sheikh Ahmad faruqi Sarhindi, Emperor Jahangir who was unlike his father
Akbar and pretty much intolerant of other faiths. Prince Khusrau who was
also son of Akbar and was contesting for throne was captured by
Jahangir's men. This prince Khusrau was the son of Jodha Bai, daughter of
Udai Singh of Jodhpur, since he was born
to a Hindu mother, was disliked by the fanatics who wanted Prince
Salim who was a 100% Sunni Muslim (as oppose to the popular Hindi movie
Mughal-e-Azam, where Jahangir was shown as son of Hindu mother). Prince
escaped and went to Guru Arjan. Guru Arjan was moved at the 13 years
old Prince and gave him help with money and shelter. Salim succeded with
the title of Jahangir. Jahangir hated all those who were in Akbar's good
books. He summoned Guru to Lahore, Sikhs of lahore pleaded with Jahangir
to let them collect the fine and pay to him to release Guru, but Jahangir
refused. Jahangir appointed Murtaza Khan to confisicate the property of
Guru and hand it over to state., apart from that a fine of 2 lakhs was
also collected from the Sikhs. Guru was imprisoned at Lahore fort. He
was chained to a post in an open place exposed to the sun from morning to
evening in the months of May thru June. Below his feet a heap of sand
was put which burnt like a furnace. Boiling water was poured on his
naked body at intervals. His body was covered with blisters all over.
In this agony Guru used to utter.
Tera Kiya Metha lage, naam padarath Nanak mange (whatever you
ordain appears sweet. I supplicate for the gift of name)
He was asked to convert to Islam along with his discpiles, but
he refused. Mian mir who was Guru Arjan's friends, hearing this news
came to see him. At the sight of the guru the Muslim saint shed tears. He
cursed the government for these atrocities. Mian Mir said he will pray
for the destruction of such government. Guru said it was the will of the
God, and no man should try to obstruct the working of God's will. The Guru
farbade the saint to do anything against the Government. Guru suffered
from 'Heat Apoplexy.'. Sewing up political prisoners in fresh hides of
animals seems to be general practice in those days. When a raw hide of a
cow was brought before him, he shuddered at its sight. The Guru asked
permission to bathe in the Ravi as he did not want to die unclean. Guru
took Samadhi in River Ravi on 30 May, 1606. He was 43 years old. It is
certain that Guru Arjan's martyrdom was mainly a religious case coupled
with local and personal jealousy and envy. some people argue that Guru
was defautler of loan and that's why Jahangir executed Guru, whatever the
case, there is no doubt that Guru Arjan set the noblest example of
courage and boldness in resisting the wrongs of the mightiest power on
earth, and thus sowed the seed which was to bear rich fruit in due
course. Shaikh Ahmad of sarhind was delighted at this execution in his
letter to murtaza khan, governer of Panjab he wrote "The execution at this
time of the accursed Kafir of Goindwal...with whatever motive... is an
act of the highest grace for the followers of Islam." He added that
Hindus should be treated as dogs. Jazia should be imposed on them, and
cowslaughter should be allowed in open." Guru had already informed his
Sikhs to make his son Hargobind as a next guru. Bhai Buddha ji performed
ceremony and thus Guru Hargodind ji became sixth Guru.
6. Guru Hargobind ji were 11 years old when appointed Guru by Bhai
Buddha ji on the orders of Fifth Guru Arjan Dev ji. from 1606-1644 Guru
Hargobind ji remained on Guru's throne. When Bhai Buddha ji were
performing ceremonies to appoint Hargobind as Guru, Hargobind asked Bhai
Buddha ji to give him a sword. Bhai Buddha ji, although a Jutt Sikh, had
never handled a sword, and he tied it on the right side of Guru who
pointed out the mistake. The Bhai wanted to put it on other side. Guru
forbade him to do so. He asked Bhai Buddha to fasten another sword on
the left side. Thus the Guru wore two Swords simaltaneously. He
declared that two swords signified Miri and Piri, Shakti and Bhakti,
Deg and Teg. One symbolises temporal power and the other spiritual
power. one to smite the oppressor, the other to protect the innocent.
He told his followers "In the Guru's house spiritual and mundane powers
shall be combined." He instructed Sikhs to keep a horse and a sword. He
recruited troops, and had a contigent of 52 soldiers always with him. Total
number of soldiers with him came to about 700 cavalry and also
sixty gunners (topchi), many young men from Majha came into his army,
approximate army was about 1500 total men, including cavalry, etc. This
was nothing as compared to Mughals who had hundreds of thousands of armed
forces. Guru wanted his Sikhs to be able bodied, thus he held several
sporting tournaments, like hunting expeditions etc. He was the first
Guru to use Khalsa for his Sikhs. Later his Grandson Tenth Guru
Gobind Singh ji redefined his Sikhs as Khalsa.
Guru Hargobind did not neglect his work of preaching and
spreading Sikh religion. The activities of Guru Arjan's masands were
mainly confined to Punjab. The political situation in punjab was not
favourable for the propagation of Sikhism. The Guru turned his
attention to hills and to for off provinces like Bihar and Bengal. There
were number of Sikh merchants carrying on trade in U.P., Bihar and
Bengal. They visited the Guru at the time of departure and return to
their homes. Guru instructed them to preach Sikh religion. Bhai Gurdas
ji in Var II mentions the names of Nawal and Nihala who were Sabharwal
Khatris, had established business in Bihar and Bengal, under their
influence a number of local people had adopted Sikhism.
Guru Hargobind's enemies were Prithi mal (Guru's uncle),
Chandu Shah (initially he wanted his daughter to be married to Guru
Hargobind ji, Guru Arjan Dev ji refused so he went against the Guru's
family), Shaikh Ahmad of Sarhind, Shaikh Ahmad Bukhari viceroy of
Punjab. Due to intrigues by these people, Jahangir summoned Guru to
Delhi in 1609. At Delhi Guru stayed at Majnun ka teela, where Guru
Nanak had lived with the muslim saint Majnun in the reign of Sikandar
lodi. Jahangir found Guru to be very tall, handsome and plucky youth and
received him courteously. Jahangir asked him questions about hunting and
wearing arms. Why did Guru called himself "Sacha Padshah" or the true
king, does he imply that he, the Emperor Jahangir was a false king. Guru
replied "I have never told anyone to call me true king, but where there
exists love between people, there is no need of formality, and a man is
treated as he treateth others. I love my Sikhs in proportions to the love
they bear me." Then Jahangir took Guru to a hunting expedition, where
Guru showed his chivalry by killing a tiger single handed with a sword
from there they went to Agra. At Agra the Emperor fell ill. Due to
Chandu Shah's instigation the astrologers told Emperor Jahangir that to
imprison Guru Hargobind to avert the serious consequences of the evil
stars. Guru Hargobind was therefore confined in the fort of Gwalior
without specifying any duration. Janagir wrote in his diary that he
found Guru Hargobind "Bighayat Maghrur wa Khudapasand" , which means
extremely arrogant. Guru Hargobind was in prison with his whole family
for eleven years. Guru was set free in 1620 by Hazrat Jannat Makani on the
recommendation of Mian Mir, who died at Lahore in 1633. Then guru
returned to Hari Mandir on the Diwali day of 1620 along with hundreds of
other former political prisoners, which Guru managed to free from
Jahangir. Shah Jahan ascended throne from Jahangir in 1628, though born
to a Hindu mother, he became an otherdox muslim.
One day so it happened Emperor Shah Jahan was hunting in the
jungles of Jallo lying between Lahore and Amritsar. By Chance,
Guru Hargobind was also hunting there. According to Jadunath Sarkar
"The Guru entered the same arena in pursuit of the game, and his Sikhs
quarrelled with servants of the imperial hunt about a bird.
The two parties came to blow, and in the end the imperialists of Shah Jahan
were beaten off with a slaughter."
Emperor Shah Jahan retaliated by demolosihing the building of the Sikh
langar and filling up the Sikh baoli in Chuna Mundi, Lahore, with its
debris. Then on April 14, 1634 Shah Jahan's army under the Gen. Mukhlis
Khan with about 7000 troops, against Guru's 1500 troops, moved towards
Amritsar. Syed Mohammad Latif writes " Mukhlis Khan marched from Lahore
with 7000 troops, who were however signally defeated near Amritsar, their
leader being killed in the engagement. The defeated army returned to
Lahore after losing many in killed and wounded. This was the first
combat in the annals of the Punjab which was fought between Mughals and
Sikhs." Guru's fame spread far and wide, many people became Sikhs. Then
the battles of Lahra and Gurusar followed in December 1634, both won by
Guru again. In the battle of Karturpur on 26th April 1635, Guru had
finally 5000 troops, there were many Muslims, Pathans as well under
Painde Khan. In this hard fought battle Guru again won, enemy
commanders were killed. Guru's youngest son Tyag Mal displayed
remarkable skill and won the title of Tegh Bahadur from his father. (The
Same Ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur who gave his head to protect the Dharma from
India, during Aurungzeb reign). Then ShahJahan sent almost Ten times
the forces of Gurus in the battle of Phagwara in 29th April 1638. It was
a drawn battle, Guru had to retreat with Mughals following him. Then
there were no more battle between Guru Hargobind and Mughals. Mughals
had sensed his superiority in warfare and getting people to revolt
against Mughals, and did not wanted to confront it.
(Shahjahan did not
tried to fought with sikhs anymore, but another Mughal Aurungzeb in his
later years tried and Guru Gobind Singh's the Tenth Guru's Khalsa got rid of
Mughals.)
Guru Hargobind spend the next nine years at Kiratpur propagating
the Sikh religion. Guru sensing his end was near, and thus he must nominate
his successor. His eldest son Gurditta had died in battle in 1638,
leaving behind two sons Dhir mal was the elder and Har Rae was younger.
Guru Hargobind's two living sons were Suraj mal and Tegh Bahadur. The
former was fond of worldly pleasures and latter was a recluse. Dhir Mal
considered that it was his right to succeed, The Guru did not consider him
to be a suitable candidate. He nominated his younger brother Har Rae
(grandson of Guru) as the Seventh Guru. Har Rae was 14 years old then.
Dhir mal felt infuriated. In the evening meal he administered poison
to the Guru and immediately disappeared to Kartarpur with the original
copy of the Adi Granth. Mohsin fani a contemporary author who attended
the Guru's funeral wrote "When his body was placed on pyre, set fire to
it and the flames rose high up, Raja Ram Rajput, his servant,leapt into fire,
walked a few paces in the flames and on reaching the Guru's feet put his
forehead at the soles of his feet, remained motionless and expired.
After him a Jat's son who was in the service of Guru threw himself into
fire." (This was prohibited according to Sikh practices but these people
could not have over come the emotions of losing a Guru as devoted as
HarGobind. )
7. Guru Har Rai, was Guru Hargobind's grandson. Son of Guru's eldest son
Gurditta who attained martydom fighting the Mughals in 1638. Guru's
other sons Suraj Mal was not into spiritual matters and Tegh Bahadur was
recluse (he become ninth Guru). Gurditta had two son, Dhir mal and Har
Rae. Dhir mal had poisoned Guru Hargobind ji. Guru Har Rae ji were 14
years old when appointed Guru, born at Kiratpur on January 30, 1630. He
was strongly advised to retain the existing contingent of 2,200 mounter
soldiers as his body-guard. Guru Har Rae had to face many difficulties
due to which he retired to Nahan, such as.
1. Mughal army was carrying on the campaign against people in the
proximity of Kiratpur. Thus he could not preach Sikhism.
2. His elder brother, Dhir Mal, had set himself up as the Seventh Guru at
Kartarpur, and he was a deadly enemy of the Guru. The Guru's mother did
not wish to risk his son's life, and preferred to live far away from him
in safety.
3. Prithi Mal's son Meherban had taken possesion of Hari Mandir and had
declared himself as Seventh Guru.
Guru Har Rae lived at Nahan for twelve years. He devoted all his
energy to consolidate the Sikh religion, and went frequently on short
tours to inspire the Sikhs by personal contact. At Nathana he blessed a
poor and hungry Brar Jat Boy, Phul, who became the founder of the famous
Phulkian family comprising the states of Patiala, Nabha, Jind, Faridkot
and others.
Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan, had an
inclination towards Sufis. He met Guru Har Rae, although Dara was 15
years older than Guru but he was immpressed by the knowledge, which Guru
possesed. Prince Dara Shikoh was viceroy of Punjab. Shah Jahan fell ill
in September 1657, and civil war was immenent among his sons. In the war
fought between Dara and Aurungzeb in April, May 1658, Dara was defeated.
Since Guru and Dara were on good terms, After sitting on throne
Aurungzeb summoned Guru Har Rae in September, 1661. Guru send his elder
son Ram Rae to Delhi. Ram Rae was told by Guru ji to avoid flattery and
behave with dignity. Aurungzeb asked to explain why the following verse
in the holy granth abused the Muslims. "Matti Musalman ki pere pai
Kumhar; Ghar Bhande ittan kian Jalti KAre Pukar" (The dust of a Mussalman
is kneaded by a potter into a dough, and he converts it into pots and
bricks, which cry out as they burn). This hymn was uttered by Guru Nanak
to show that cremation and burial differed little. Ram Rae was overawed
by the splendour of the court, and in order to not to offend Emperor
replied that Nanak's actual word was 'Beiman' or faithless and not
'Musalman', which appeared in the text by the mistake of the scribe.
Guru Har Rae was deeply distressed at his son's behavior for having
insulted Guru Nanak and Granth Sahib. The Guru declared Ram Rae unfit
for Guruship, and immediately excluded him from succession. Guru Har Rae
observed "Guruship is like a tiger's milk which can only be contained in
a golden cup. Only he who is ready to devote his life thereto is worthy
of it. Let Ram Rae not look on my face again." Ram rae was detained at
Mughal courts where he conducted himself as a faithful courtier. Shortly
afterwards Guru Har Rae died at Kartarpur on Oct 6, 1661 at the young age
of 32, on the death bed Guru appointed his younger son Har Krishen as
Eighth Guru.
8. Guru Har Krishan.
Guru Har Krishan was born on July 7, 1656. Thus he
became Guru at the age of five years., and was called Child Saint. Ram
rae who was living in Delhi pressed his claim for guruship. Aurungzeb
was fully occupied in setting the state affairs and had no time to turn
his attention to a matter which had no urgency. In 1662 he fell
seriously ill, and next year went to Kashmir to recoup his health. He
returned to delhi in 1664. Aurungzeb was a pastmaster in the art of
diplomacy. He wanted to take full advantage of the rift which had
developed between two brothers. He was keen to use Ram Rae in weakening
the Sikh movement. He summoned Guru Har Krishan to Delhi to justify his
claim to guruship, and asked Mirza Raja Jai singh to call the guru to
Delhi on his personal surety. Guru Har Krishan came to Delhi and put up
in the house of Mirza Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur at the village of Raisina
in the suburbs of capital, 6 kms distant from Red fort, where now stands
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi. Shortly, thereafter Guru had an
attack of smallpox with high fever. One day on his bed Guru asked for a
coconut and five paisas and uttered "Baba Bakala", meaning the next Guru
is at Bakala, who is a Baba or grand uncle Tegh Bahadur who was grand
uncle of Guru Har Krishan and was living at Bakala at this time. Having
said this Guru closed his eyes and passed away on March 30, 1664, at the
age of eight. Sikhs around Guru followed this as the next guru is to be
found at Bakala (close to Amritsar), then Guru Tegh Bahadur was appointed
as the ninth Guru.
*****************************************
Parts taken from 'History of the Sikhs' by Khushwant singh
'History of the Sikhs, vol-1' by Hari Ram Gupta
'History of Punjab' by Mohd. Latif
and various other sources by Jadunath Sarkar, Macauliffe, Cunningham, etc.
**********************************************
--
Sandeep Singh Bajwa
http://www.pitt.edu/~ssbst3
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