Saturday, January 5, 2008

Guru Gobind Singh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A painting of Guru Gobind Singh
Born December 22, 1666
Patna, Bihar, India
Died October 7, 1708 (aged 42)
Nanded, Maharashtra, India
Re-opened wound whilst practising with bow & arrow
Other names Gobind Rai
Title Guru sahib ji
Predecessor Guru Tegh Bahadur
Religious stance Sikhism
Spouse Mata Jito a.k.a. Mata Sundari
Children Ajit Singh
Jujhar Singh
Zorawar Singh
Fateh Singh
Parents Guru Teg Bahadur, Mata Gujri

Guru Gobind Singh (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ) (22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708) was the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. He became the Guru on 11 November 1675, succeeding his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur. He was a warrior, a poet, and a spiritual leader. His establishment of the military order Khalsa is considered as one of the most important events in the history of Sikhism. He fought 11 battles with the Mughals and the Rajas of the Shivalik Hills.

Guru Gobind Singh was the last human Sikh Guru; he finished the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, and before his death, nominated it as the next perpetual Guru of Sikhs.

Bichitra Natak, considered to be his autobiography, is one of the major sources for the information about his life. It is a part of the Dasam Granth literary collection attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, but some scholars dispute its authorship.

Biography

Early days

Guru Gobind Singh was born as Gobind Rai in Patna to Teg Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, and his wife Gujri. He was born while Guru Tegh Bahadur was touring Assam to spread his teachings.

Harmandir Saheb, Patna City
Harmandir Saheb, Patna City
Harmandir Saheb, Patna City
Harmandir Saheb, Patna City

According to a legend, the birth of Gobind Rai was prophesized by Pir Bhikan Shah, a fakir from Thaksa village (now in Karnal District of Haryana). One day, Bhikan Shah bowed towards the east during his prayers, contrary to the standard Islamic practice of bowing in the direction of Qibla. When the villagers questioned his strange act, he stated that a special child, the savior chosen by the God, would be born in Patna, which lied to the East. He then traveled to Patna with a group of his followers to see the child. He placed two bowls of sweets before the newbord; one bowl was purchased from a Hindu's shop, and the second from a Muslim's shop, thus signifying the two major contemporary religions in India. The baby placed his hands on both the bowls, thus indicating that both Hindus and Muslims will be treated equally by him. According to another legend, the fakir Araf Din of Lakhnaur (now in Ambala District) also bowed to the boy, and proclaimed him as divine.

Gobind Rai spent the first five years of his life in Patna. As a child, he used to play war games with other children, leading mock battles. He had many admirers, including a learned Brahmin called Pandit Shiv Dutt (or Shiv Das). Once, Raja Fateh Chand of Patna and his Rani, a childless couple, visited Shiv Dutt, and asked him to bless them with a child. Shiv Dutt suggested that if an innocent child like Gobind Rai prayed to God, their desire would be fulfilled. The couple then asked young Gobind Rai to visit their palace, where the Rani asked Gobind Rai to pray to God to bless her with a son like him. Gobind Rai smiled and said that there can be nobody like him, so the Rani should call him her son. From that day, the Rani started calling him Bala Pritam ("child God"). The royal couple allowed Gobind Rai and his friends to freely play in their palace, and also built a big dining hall for the children.

Other admirers of the boy included two Nawabs, Rahim Baksh and Karim Baksh. Nawab Karim Baksh had gifted a village and gardens to the child.

Stay in Anandpur

Guru Tegh Bahadur had founded the city of Anandpur in the year 1665, on the land purchased from the ruler of Bilaspur (Kahlur). After his tour of eastern parts of India ended, he asked his family to come to Anandpur. Gobind Rai reached Anandpur (then known as Chakk Nanaki), on the foothills of the Sivalik Hills, in March 1672.

Gobind Rai's early education included study of Punjabi, Braj, Sanskrit and Persian languages, and training as a soldier. He had started studying Hindi and Sanskrit while at Patna. In Anandpur, he started studying Punjabi under Sahib Chand, and Persian under Qazi Pir Mohammad. A Rajput warrior was employed to train him in military skills and horse riding.

In 1675, some Kashmiri Pandits led by Pandit Kirpa Ram of Matton visited Anandpur to seek Guru Tegh Bahadur's assistance against persecution from the Islamic Mughal rulers. Guru Tegh Bahadur proceeded to the Mughal capital Delhi, to discuss the emperor Aurangzeb's policty towards the non-Muslims. However, he was beheaded on 11 November 1675 at Chandani Chowk, after refusing to convert to Islam. His head was put on the public square to deter the public from objecting to Aurangzeb's policies. The beheading of Guru Teg Bahadur frightened many of his disciples, some of whom even refused to acknowledge themselves as his followers, in order to avoid persecution. A disciple called Bhai Jaita (later Bhai Jivan Singh) brought Guru Tegh Bahadur's head to Anandpur, and narrated the story of fear among the Guru's followers in Delhi.

After hearing of what had happened in Delhi, Guru Gobind decided to inculcate the martial spirit among his followers. Guru Tegh Bahadur had ordained his son as the next guru, before his departure to Delhi. Gobind Rai was formally installed as the Guru on the Baisakhi, on 11 November 1675.[1]

Guru Gobind engaged 52 poets to translate the heroic Sanskrit epics into contemporary languages. He selected the warlike theme in many of his compositions to infuse martial spirit among his followers. He also wrote several compositions preaching love, equality and the worship of one God, deprecating idolatry and superstition.

Guru's increasing influence and power worried Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur), in whose territory Anandpur was located. Meanwhile, the Guru ordered construction of a war drum (nagara) called Ranjit Nagara to enthuse his soldiers. The use of such a war drum was limited to the chieftains, within their territory, and the Raja considered the use of Ranjit Nagara a hostile act. On his Prime Minister's advice, he arranged a meeting with the Guru in Anandpur. He was received with honor in the Guru's court, where his eyes fell at the valuable gifts presented to the Guru by the devotees. Later, Bhim Chand sent a message to the Guru, asking him to lend an elephant called Prasadi (a gift from a devotee) to him. The Guru suspected that Bhim Chand wanted to gain permanent possession of the elephant, and declined his demand. He stated that the devotee who had presented the elephant, didn't want it to be given away to anybody else. The Raja was perturbed by the Guru's refusal to give away the elephant, his growing influence, and his interest in military exercises. An atmosphere of confrontation developed between the two on small issues.[2]

Stay at Paonta

Guru Gobind Singh (with bird) encounters Guru Nanak Dev. An 18th century painting of an imaginary meeting.
Guru Gobind Singh (with bird) encounters Guru Nanak Dev. An 18th century painting of an imaginary meeting.

In April 1685, Guru Gobind Rai shifted his residence Paonta in Sirmur state at the invitation of Raja Mat Prakash of Sirmur. The reasons for the shift are not clear.[2] The author of Bichitra Natak doesn't mention any reason for shifting his residence to Paonta.[3] According to the Gazetteer of the Sirmur state, the Guru was compelled to quit Anadpur due to differences with Bhim Chand, and went to Toka. From Toka, he was brought to Nahan (the capital of Sirmur) by Mat Prakash. From Nahan, he proceeded to Paonta.[4] Mat Prakash invited the Guru to his kingdom in order to strengthen his position against Raja Fateh Shah of Garhwal.[2] At the request of Raja Mat Prakash, the Guru constructed a fort at Paonta with help of his followers, in a short time. He continued to increase his army. Raja Fateh Shah also paid a visit to the Guru, and was received with honor in his court. The Guru established a peace treaty between the two Rajas. The Guru remained at Paonta for around three years, and composed several texts.

The hostility between Bhim Chand and the Guru continued to increase during the latter's stay at Paonta, ultimately resulting in the Battle of Bhangani near Paonta. Bhim Chand was supported by other hill Rajas, including Fateh Shah of Garhwal, Kirpal of Katoch, Gopal of Guler (or Guleria), Hari Chand of Hadur and the Raja of Jaswal. Bhim Chand was also aided by some defected Pathans employed by the Guru. The Guru's army cosnsisted of his disciples, some Udasis, some Pathans, and around 700 followers of Pir Budhu Shah of Sadhaura. According to Bichitra Natak, the Battle of Bhangani resulted in the Guru's victory.

See also: Battle of Bhangani

Return to Anandpur

Sometime after the Battle of Bhangani, the Guru decided to return to Anandpur. On his way back to Anandpur, he camped at Sadhaura and Laharpur for a few days. After leaving the Sirmur state, he entered Ramgarh state and stayed at Tabra for more than a week. He then visited Raipur at the invitation of the local Rani. After leaving Raipur, he continued his journey to Anandpur, passing through Toda, Nada, Dhakoli, Kotla, Ghanaula, Bunga, and Kiratpur. He reached Anandpur, and established peace with Raja Bhim Chand.

In the 1680s, to meet the expenses of his campaigns in Deccan, the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb ordered recovery of annual tributes from the rulers of hill states, who had been defaulting on the payment for three consecutive years.[5] The duty of collecting tributes from Kangra and adjoining principalities was assigned to Alif Khan (or Alaf Khan).[1] Two of the hill Rajas, Raja Kirpal Chand of Kangra and Raja Dayal of Bijarwal, agreed to meet Alif Khan's demands. However, Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur) refused to pay the tribute, and formed an alliance of the local rulers opposed to the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singh also agreed to support him. In the Battle of Nadaun, the armies of Alif Khan and his aides were defeated by the allied forces of Bhim Chand, Guru Gobind Singh and other hill Rajas. Different authors give the deate of the battle variously as 1687[6][7], 1689[8][9], 1690[10] 20 March 1691.[5], and 4 April 1691.[11]

According to Bichitra Natak, Guru Gobind Singh remained at Nadaun, on the banks of the River Beas, for eight days, and visited the places of all the chiefs.[12] Later, both the parties made an agreement and peace was established.[13]

In 1694, Dilawar Khan, the Mughal chief of Punjab, sent his son with an army of one thousand men to Anandpur, to check the rising power of the Guru. As Khanzada crossed the Satluj river, Guru's scout Alam Chand (aka Alam Singh) alerted the Guru's forces. The Ranjit Nagara was beaten, and the Guru's men quickly marched to the river, forcing the Mughal army to retreat back.

The failure of Khanzada to check Guru's power provoked Dilawar Khan to plan a bigger attack on the Guru and other hill Rajas. He sent two thousand men under his slave Hussain to subdue them. Hussain defeated the Raja of Dadhwal and plundered Doon. Raja Kirpal (Katoch) of Kangra and Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur accepted his suzerainty. Raja Gopal of Guler and Raja Ram Singh tried to negotiate with Hussain, but the talks failed. Hussain besieged Guler, and demanded ten thousand rupees from Raja Gopal. Gopal sent his envoy to Guru Gobind Singh, asking him to negotiate a peace treaty between Hussain and the Raja. The Guru sent his agent, Sangtia, with an escort of seven troopers. However, an agreement could not be reached, resulting in a battle (dated between 1695 to 1698). Kirpal and Bhim Chand fought on Hussain's side, while Raja Ram Singh and the Guru's men fought on Raja Gopal's side. The battle resulted in the deaths of Hussain, Kirpal and all of the Guru's men. Raja Bhim Chand's forces fled from the battlefield, thus resulting in the victory of Raja Gopal. Raja Gopal went to the Guru, thanked him, and offered him gifts. The battle is described in the Chapter 11 of Bichitra Natak.[14]

After Hussain's death, Dilawar Khan sent his men Jujhar Singh and Chandel Rai to Sivalik Hills. However, they were defeated by Gaj Singh of Jaswal. The developments in the hill area caused anxiety to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who sent forces under the command of his son, to restore Mughal authority in the region.

Foundation of Khalsa

Main article: Khalsa

In 1699, the Guru sent hukmanamas (letters of authority) to his followers, requesting them to congregate at Anandpur on 13 April 1699, the day of Baisakhi (the annual harvest festival).[15] He addressed the congregation from the entryway of a small tent pitched on a small hill (now called Kesgarh Sahib). He drew his sword and asked for a volunteer who was willing to sacrifice his head. No one answered his first call, nor the second call, but on the third invitation, a person called Daya Ram (later known as Bhai Daya Singh) came forward and offered his head to the Guru. Guru Gobind Rai took the volunteer inside the tent, and emerged shortly, with blood dripping from his sword. He then demanded another head. One more volunteer came forward, and entered the tent with him. Guru again emerged with blood on his sword. This happened three more times. Then the five volunteers came out of the tent unharmed. These five, who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their Guru, were called Panj Piare ("the five beloved ones").[15] These five volunteers were the first Khalsa (baptized) Sikhs: Daya Ram (Bhai Daya Singh), Dharam Das (Bhai Dharam Singh), Himmat Rai (Bhai Himmat Singh), Mohkam Chand (Bhai Mohkam Singh), and Sahib Chand (Bhai Sahib Singh).

Guru Gobind Rai then baptized these five Sikhs with a liquid mixture named Amrit ("nectar"). He gave them all the name "Singh" (lion), and designated them collectively as Khalsa, the body of baptized Sikhs. The members of the Khalsa consider Guru Gobind as their father, and Mata Sahib Kaur as their mother.[15] The Panj Piare were thus the first baptised Sikhs, and became the first members of the Khalsa brotherhood. Women were also initiated into the Khalsa, and the initiates were called kaur ("princess").[15] The Guru, like other members of the Khalsa, changed his name to Gobind Singh from Gobind Rai.

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh also issued directions to the Sikh sangats (communities) not to acknowledge the masands (local administrative deputies acting on the Guru's behalf). He had received several complaints of corruption and abuse of powers, against the masands. He asked his followers to send their offerings directly to Anandpur.

Conflicts with the Rajas of Sivalik Hills

The formation of the military order Khalsa alerted the Rajas of the Sivalik Hills. They united to evict the Guru from the region, but their expeditions during 1700-04 proved futile.

Balia Chand and Alim Chand, two hill chiefs, made a surprise attack on the Guru, while he was on a hunting expedition.[16] In the ensuing combat, Alim Chand managed to escape, while Balia Chand was killed by Guru's aide Ude Singh.

After several failed attempts to check the rising power of the Guru, the hill chiefs petitioned the Mughal rulers to help them subdue the Guru. In response, the Mughal viceroy of Delhi sent his generals Din Beg and Painda Khan, each with an army of five thousand men.[17] The Mughal forces were joined by the armies of the hill chiefs. However, they failed to defeat the Guru's forces, and Painda Khan was killed in the First Battle of Anandpur (1701).

Alarmed at the Guru's rising influence, the Rajas of several hill states assembled at Bilaspur to discuss the situation. The son of Bhim Chand, Raja Ajmer Chand of Kahlur, suggested forming an alliance to curb the Guru's rising power. Accordingly, the Rajas formed an alliance, and marched towards Anandpur. They sent a letter to the Guru, asking him to pay the arrears of rent for Anandpur (which lied in Ajmer Chand's territory), and leave the place. The Guru insisted that the land was bought by his father, and is therefore, his own property. A battle, dated from 1701 to 1704, followed. The hill Rajas were joined by a large number of Ranghars and Gujjars, under the command of Jagatullah. Duni Chand led five hundred men from Majha region to assist the Guru. Reinforcements from other areas also arrived to help the Guru. The conflict, known as the Second Battle of Anandpur, resulted in retreat of the hill Rajas.[18]

Later, the hill Rajas negotiated a peace agreement with the Guru, asking him to leave Anandpur temporarily. Accordingly, the Guru left for Nirmoh village.[19] Seeing that Nirmoh was not fortified, Raja Ajmer Chand and the Raja of Kangra launched an attack on the Guru's camp. However, they were not able to defeat the Guru. Meanwhile, Raja Ajmer Chand had sent his envoys to the Mughal viceroys in Sirhind and Delhi, seeking their help against the Guru. The army of Sirhind viceroy Wazir Khan arrived to assist the hill Rajas. The assault by Wazir Khan's army forced the Guru to retreat to Basoli, whose Raja was on good terms with the Guru.

After staying for a few days at Basoli, the Guru marched back to Anandpur, and the hill Rajas decided to make peace with the him. However, after two years of peace, the hostilities between the Rajas and the Guru reappeared due to Guru's rising power, and clashes between the Rajas' men and the Sikhs. Raja Ajmer Chand allied with the Rajas of Hindur, Chamba and Fatehpur, and attacked Anandpur in 1703-04. They failed to oust the Guru in the Third Battle of Anandpur, and retreated back.

After repeated pleas for assistance from the hill Rajas, the Mughal emperor sent a large army under Saiyad Khan's command, to check the Guru's power. Saiyad Khan was a brother-in-law of Pir Budhu Shah, and defected to the Guru's side, after the Pir spoke highly of him. Ramzan Khan then took the command of the imperial army, and allied with the hill Rajas to attack Anandpur in March 1704. It was the crop-cutting time of the year, and the majority of the Guru's followers had dispersed to their homes. Although the Guru was assisted by two of his Muslim admirers, Maimun Khan and Saiyad Beg, his men were outnumbered and he decided to vacate Anandpur.[1] The Mughal army plundered the city, and then proceeded to Sirhind. On their way back, they were caught in a surprise attack by the Guru's forces, who recovered the booty captured from Anandpur. The Guru then returned to Anandpur.

See also: First Battle of Anandpur and Second Battle of Anandpur

Evacuation from Anandpur

At the plea of Raja Ajmer Chand, the Mughal emperor ordered the viceroys of Sirhind, Lahore and Kashmir to proceed against the Guru. The Mughal forces were joined by the armies of the hill Rajas, the Ranghars and the Gurjars of the area. The Guru also made preparations for the battle, and his followers from Majha, Malwa, Doaba and other areas assembled at Anandpur.

The imperial forces attacked Anandpur in 1705, and laid a siege around the city. After a few days of the commencement of the siege, Raja Ajmer Chand sent his envoy to the Guru, offering withdrawal of the siege, in return for Guru's evacuation from Anandpur. The Guru refused to accept the offer, but many of his followers, suffering from lack of food and other supplies, asked him to accept the proposal. Forty of the disciples threatened to desert the Guru, and leave Anandpur. The Guru asked them sign a disclaimer saying that they were not his disciples. The forty men signed the disclaimer and left Anandpur. As more and more followers pressurized the Guru to accept Ajmer Chand's offer, he sent a message to Ajmer Chand offering to evacuate Anandpur, if the allied forces would first allow his treasury and other property to be taken outside the city. The allied forces accepted the proposal. The Guru, in order to test their sincerity, sent a caravan of loaded bullocks outside the fort. However, the allied forces attacked the caravan to loot the treasure. To their disappointment, they found out that the caravan had no treasure, just some rubbish articles. The Guru then decided not to vacate Anandpur, and refused to accept any further proposals from the allied forces.

Finally, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb sent a signed letter to the Guru, swearing in name of Quran, that the Guru and his followers would be allowed a safe passage if he decided to evacuate Anandpur. The Guru, hard pressed by his followers and his family, accepted the offer, and evacuated Anandpur on 20-21 December, 1705.

On the first night after they left Anandpur, the Guru's contingent was attacked by the imperial forces. Following a few skirmishes, the Guru and his followers reached the banks of Sirsa river. The group could not keep together while crossing the flooded Sirsa (or Sarsa) river. The Guru's mother, and his two younger sons, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh, strayed away from the main group. Guru's old servant, Gangu, escorted them to his village, Kheri. His wife Mata Jito, was in another group that also included Mata Sahib Kaur; this group was escorted to Delhi by Jawahar Singh. The flood in the river resulted in several of the Guru's followers getting drowned, and there was heavy loss of property and literature.

The Guru, with his two sons, and some other Sikhs, managed to cross the river and reached the Ghanaula village on the other side of the river. He instructed a band of hundred followers under Bachitar Singh to march to Rupar. The Guru, with the remaining followers, marched towards Kotla Nihang near Rupar, to stay with his trusted acquaintance Pathan Nihang Khan. From there, he proceeded to Machhiwara and Raikot, halting at Bur Majra. He was informed that a large body of troops from Sirhind was chasing him. He decided to face the enemy troops at the fortress of Chamkaur.

The imperial troops besieged the fortress at Chamkaur in December 1705. The battle resulted in death of Guru's older sons, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh. The Guru asked the remaining disciples to get ready for the final charge, and die fighting. However, his disciples insisted that the his survival was necessary for the survival of the Khalsa, and planned his escape from Chamkaur. It was decided that Sant Singh and Sangat Singh will stay in the fortress, while Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, and Man Singh will accompany the Guru out of Chamkaur. The Guru gave his kalghi (plume used to decorate headgear) and his armor to Bhai Sant Singh, a Sikh who resembled him. Sant Singh was seated in the upper room where Guru was stationed. The Guru marched out of Chamkaur in the night, along with some followers. Next day, the Mughal army, which still believed that the Guru was inside the fortress, attacked the fortress, and killed all the Sikhs inside the fortress.

The Guru separated from his companions, and reached Machhiwara, after passing through Jandsar and Behlolpur. There, his three companions, Daya Singh, Dharam Singh and Man Singh rejoined him. Gulaba, an old masand of Machhiwara, gave them shelter, but feared for his own safety. Two Pathan horse merchants, Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan, decided to help him. The Khans, who were old acquaintances of the Guru, disguised him as the Pir (Sufi saint) of Uchh village, and carried him to safety, in a curtained plantain. At Alam Gir, Nand Lal, a zamindar decided to help the Guru. From Alam Gir, the Guru proceeded to Raikot. At Silaoni, Rai Kalla, the chief of Raikot, received him warmly. The Guru stayed there for some time.

Meanwhile, Guru's mother Mata Gujri and the his two younger sons were captured by Wazir Khan, the governor of Sirhind. The two boys were killed after refusing to convert to Islam, and Mata Gujri died soon after hearing of her grandsons' death.

Stay at Dina

Realizing that Rai Kot was not a suitable place to stage resistance against the Mughals, Guru Gobind Singh left Raikot, and spent two days at Hehar with Mahant Kirpal Das (who had earlier participated in the Battle of Bhangani). He then marched to Lamma Jatpura, where his companion Rai Kalla took leave. The Guru moved southwards, accompanied by three Sikhs. On the way he passed through the villages of Manuke, Mehdiana Chakkar, Takhatpur and Madhen, and finally reached Dina (now in Ferozepur district) in Malwa (Punjab). The people had heard that the Guru had been killed at Chamkaur, but the truth began to be known when he reached Dina. He was received warmly at Dina by Shamira, Lakhmira and Takht Mal, the three grandsons of Rai Jodh, a devotee of Guru Har Gobind.[20]

While at Dina, the Guru received a concilatory letter from Aurangzeb, asking him to come to Deccan to discuss the situation. The Guru was wary of Aurangzeb, who had beheaded his father, and whose army attacked him at Anandpur in spite of an oath in the name of Quran. The Guru rejected the emperor's offer, and wrote a long letter in Persian, titled Zafarnamah ("the Epistle of Victory"). In the letter, the Guru reminded Aurangzeb of his misdeeds, and condemened the treacherous acts of the Mughals. He sent a group of Sikhs, consisting of Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, and some guards, to despatch the letter to Aurangzeb, who was camping in Ahmednagar.

While staying at Dina, the Guru visited several places in the neighborhood, and enlisted support from a few hundred warriors of the Brar clan.

Wazir Khan, the governor of Sirhind, had asked the village chiefs of Dina to hand over the Guru to him. However, the chiefs refused, provoking Wazir Khan to mobilize his forces. The Guru did not consider Dina a suitable place for battle, and moved to Khidrana Ki Dhab (now Muktsar in Ferozepur district). The Khidrana lake was the only source of water in the area, and the Guru planned his defence in such a way that the imperial forces could not have access to the lake. Meanwhile, a large number of followers had rallied around the Guru. The forty Sikhs, who had deserted him at Anandpur, were condemened by their family members, and decided to return to the Guru. A lady called Mai Bhago brought these forty Sikhs to assist the Guru, along with a large contingent of other Sikhs from Majha.

The Mughal army advanced towards the Guru's camp in 1706, but before they could attack him, they encountered a contingent of Mai Bhago and Jathedar Mahan Singh (the leader of the forty Sikhs, who had earlier deserted the Guru). As the tank at Khidrana was dry, the Mughal army suffered from lack of drinking water, and decided to retreat.[21] The forty Sikhs, who had deserted the Guru at Anandpur, died in the battle. They were called Chali Mukte (the forty liberated ones), and the place came to be known as Muktsar ("the tank of salvation").

Stay at Talwandi Sabo

Illuminated Adi Granth folio with nisan of Guru Gobind Singh
Illuminated Adi Granth folio with nisan of Guru Gobind Singh

From Mukatsar, the Guru moved to Rupana, Bhander, Gurusar, Thehri Bambiha, Rohila, Jangiana and Bhai Ka Kot. At Chatiana, the Brars who had fought for him at Muktsar, threatened to block his march as the Guru had failed to disburse pay arrears to them. A Sikh from the neighborhood area brought enough money, which enabled the Guru to pay off all the arrears. However, the leader of the Brars, Chaudhri Dana apologized the Guru on behalf of his people, and refused to accept any payment for himself. At his request, the Guru visited his native place Mehma Swai. The Guru continued his travel, passing through Lakhi Jungle (Lakhisar). From Lakhi, he visited nearby areas and initiated large number of people into Khalsa.

A landowner called Chaudhari Dalla welcomed the Guru to his estate, and took him to Talwandi Sabo (aka Talwandi Sabo Ki). On his way he passed through Chatiana, Kot Sahib Chand, Kot Bhai, Giddarbaha, Rohila, Jangirana, Bambiha, Bajak, Kaljhirani, Jassi Bagwali, Pakka Kalan and Chak Hira Singh. Guru Gobind Singh arrived at Talwandi Sabo on 20 January 1706, and stayed there for several months. The place is now called Damdama Sahib (the resting place). The Guru made a tour of the neighbouring villages, and initiated several people into the Khalsa.

When Wazir Khan learned that the Guru was at Sabo Ki Talwandi, he sent a letter to Chaudhri Dalla asking him to hand over Guru Gobind Singh to him. However, the Chaudhari refused to hand over the Guru, in spite of Wazir Khan's threats and promises of reward. Wazir Khan complained to the Emperor, who was in the Deccan. The Emperor received Dalla's letter written to Wazir Khan and also the Guru's Zafarnamah at about the same time. He ordered Wazir Khan to remove all restrictions imposed on the Guru and stop harassing him.

The Guru's literature had been destroyed as he crossed the river after evacuating Anandpur. He dictated the Guru Granth Sahib to Bhai Mani Singh. A number of poets and scholars gathered around the Guru at Talwandi Sabo, and the place came to be known as Guru's Kashi (Varanasi). The Guru's wife, who had separated from him at Anandpur, also reunited with him at Damdama Sahib. The Guru also reorganized his forces at this place, and took many Dogras and Brars into his service.

After Aurganzeb's death

In response to the Guru's Zafarnamah, Aurangzeb expressed his wish for a personal meeting with the Guru. The Guru left for Deccan in October 1706 to meet Aurangzeb. He passed through what is now Rajasthan, on his way to Ahmednagar, where the Emperor was encamped. At Baghaur (or Baghor), he received the news of Aurangzeb's death in March 1707, and decided to return to Punjab, via Shahjahanabad.

After the emperor's death, a war of succession broke out between his sons. The third son, Mohammad Azam (or Azim), declared himself the Emperor. The second son Muazzam (later Emperor Bahadur Shah) set out from Peshawar to claim the throne. The Guru's follower Bhai Nand Lal (who had earlier served in the Muazzam 's court) brought him a letter written by Muazzam. Muazzam had sought Guru's help in securing the throne, and had promised to pursue a policy of religious tolerance towards the non-Muslims. The Guru sent a band of his followers under the command of Bhai Dharam Singh, to help Muazzam. Muazzam's forces defeated Azam Shah's forces in the Battle of Jajau on 12 June 1707.

Muazzam ascended the throne as Bahadur Shah. He invited Guru Gobind Singh for a meeting which took place at Agra on 23 July 1707. The Guru was received with honour and was given the title of Hind Ka Pir (the Pir of India). The Guru stayed with the Emperor in Agra till November 1707. He made Dholpur a center of his missionary activities, and toured nearby areas for many days, before proceeding to Deccan. In November 1707, the Emperor had to march into Rajputana against the rebel Kachwahas. He requested the Guru to accompany him. From Rajputana, the emperor marched to the Deccan to suppress the rebellion of his brother Kam Bakhsh, and the Guru accompanied him.

Guru Gobind Singh was not happy with Bahadur Shah's friendly attitude towards Wazir Khan of Sirhind. He parted ways with the Emperor at Hingoli, and reached Nanded in July 1708. At Nanded, the Guru camped on the banks of the river Godavari. Saiyad Khan, the former general of the imperial forces, resigned from his post and came to Nanded from Kangra, to see the Guru.

During a trip, the Guru met a bairagi (hermit) called Madho Das, whom he initiated into Khalsa as Gurbakhsh Singh. Gurbakhsh Singh, popularly known as "Banda Singh" or "Banda Bahadur", soon became his most trusted general.

While in Nanded, the Guru received in a letter from Saiyad Khan's sister Nasiran, the wife of Pir Budhu Shah of Sadhaura. The letter informed him that the Emperor's army had ransacked Sadhaura and hanged Pir Budhu Shah as a rebel, for having faith in Guru Gobind Singh, whom they considered as a Kaffir ("infidel").

The Guru assumed that the Emperor had fallen prey to Wazir Khan's propaganda, and was plotting to kill all of his supporters. He sent a letter to the emperor, demanding an explanation for Pir Budhu Shah's death. There was no reply from the emperor. Instead, the Guru heard rumors that the emperor was planning to wage a battle against him. The Guru appointed Banda Singh as the commander of the Khalsa, and asked him to march towards Punjab.

Leaving the Mundane World

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib played the Most Sacred Divine Leela when He left this Mundane World along with the Horse He rode.

Having offered His all at the Altar of the Divine, in a most touching last oblation, Guru Gobind Singh Ji pays His last and unique homage to Sri Guru Granth Sahib with a Thunder of Eternity.

Sab Sikhon Ko Hukam Hai
Guru Manio Granth
Guru Granth Ji Manyio
Pargat Guraan Ki Deh.

Literary works

Several works have been attributed to Guru Gobind Singh. However, the authorship and authencity of these works have been questioned by some scholars.

The collection of writings attributed to Guru Gobind Singh is known as the Dasam Granth. It consists of the following works:

References

  1. ^ a b c Singh, Prithi Pal (2007). The History of Sikh Gurus. Lotus Books, 128-147. ISBN 978-8183820752.
  2. ^ a b c Rawat, Ajay Singh (2002). Garhwal Himalaya : a study in historical perspective. Indus Publishing, 50-54. ISBN 8173871361. OCLC 52088426.
  3. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 1. "Then I left my home and went to place named Paonta.".
  4. ^ (1996) Gazetteer of the Sirmur State. New Delhi: Indus Publishing, 16. ISBN 978-8173870569. OCLC 41357468.
  5. ^ a b Avinash Dani. "Little-known gurdwara of Nadaun", Sunday Reading, The Tribune, 7 November 1999. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
  6. ^ Malik, Arjan Dass (1975). An Indian guerilla war : the Sikh peoples war, 1699-1768. New York: Wiley, 22. ISBN 978-0470565766. OCLC 1339733.
  7. ^ Johar, Srinder Singh (1976). The Sikh gurus and their shrines. Vivek Pub. Co., 87. OCLC 164789879. “A fierce battle was fought at Nadaun in 1687.”
  8. ^ Mansukhani, Gobind Singh (1965). The Quintessence of Sikhism. Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, 46. OCLC 2654849.
  9. ^ Seetal, Sohan Singh (1968). Prophet of Man, Guru Gobind Singh. Ludhiana: Seetal Pustak Bhandar, 179. OCLC 115772. “This battle of Nadaun was fought in November, 1689.”
  10. ^ Singh, Gopal (1979). A History of the Sikh People, 1469-1978. New Delhi: World Sikh University Press, 275. OCLC 6330455. “This is known as the battle of Nadaun and was fought probably late in 1690”
  11. ^ Temples in the District: Gurudwara sahib Nadaun. NIC Hamirpur. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
  12. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 22
  13. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 23
  14. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 11
  15. ^ a b c d Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). Fighting for faith and nation dialogues with Sikh militants. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 43-45. ISBN 978-0812215922. OCLC 44966032.
  16. ^ Williams, Rosetta [2004]. Sikh Gurus. Educa Books/Har-Anand Publications, 103. ISBN 978-8124107164.
  17. ^ Banerjee, Indubhusan [1963]. Evolution of the Khalsa. Calcutta: A. Mukerjee, 25. OCLC 5880923.
  18. ^ Macauliffe, Max Arthur [1909] (1996). The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings, and Authors. Low Price Publications, 130. ISBN 978-8186142318. OCLC 1888987.
  19. ^ Singh, Dalip (1992). Guru Gobind Singh and Khalsa Discipline. Amritsar: Singh Bros., 256. ISBN 978-8172050719. OCLC 28583123.
  20. ^ Johar, Surinder Singh (1998). Holy Sikh shrines. New Delhi: M D Publications, 63. ISBN 9788175330733. OCLC 44703461.
  21. ^ Mehta, Jaswant Lal [1979] (1983). Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India. New Delhi: Sterling, 79. OCLC 6921013.

Further reading

  • Singh, Gobind; Jasbir Kaur Ahuja (1996). The Zafarnama of guru Gobind Singh. Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. OCLC 42966940.
  • Deora, Man Singh (1989). Guru Gobind Singh : a literary survey. New Delhi: Anmol Publications. ISBN 978-8170411604. OCLC 21280295.

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