Guru Har Gobind singh

Guru Har Gobind (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ) also Sacha Badshah (ਸੱਚਾ ਪਾਦਸ਼ਾਹ True King) (19 June 1595–2 March 1644) was the sixth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on 25 May 1606 following in the footsteps of his father Guru Arjan Dev. He was the sixth Guru in Sikhism. He was not, perhaps, more than eleven at his father's execution.[1] Before ascension, he nominated Guru Har Rai, his grandson as the next Guru of the Sikhs.

Early life

He put on two swords: one indicated his spiritual authority and the other his temporal authority. He built the Akal Takht, the Throne of the Almighty.

Guru Hargobind ji excelled in matters of state and his Darbar (Court) was noted for its splendour. The arming and training of some of his devoted followers began, the Guru came to possess seven hundred horses and his Risaldari (Army) grew to three hundred horsemen and sixty gunners in the due course of time. Additionaly five hundred men from the 'Majha area of Punjab' were recruited as infantry. Guru Har Gobind built a fortess at Amritsar called 'Lohgarh' (Fortess of steel). He had his own flag and war-drum which was beaten twice a day

Personality

The Guru was a brilliant martial artist (Shastarvidya) , and avid hunter.He encouraged his people to maintain physical fitness and keep their bodies ready for physical combat. His policy was sometimes at odds with more established members such as Baba Buddha, this was however, accepted by him and others.

Summary

The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Har Gobind's life:

1. Transformed the Sikh fraternity by introducing martial arts and weapons for the defence of the masses following his father's martyrdom.
2. Militarised the Sikh movement – carried two swords of Miri and Piri.
3. Built the Akal Takht in 1608 – which is now one of five Takhts (Seats of Power) of the Sikhs.
4. Founded the city of Kiratpur in District Jalandhar, Punjab.
5. He was imprisoned in the fort of Gwalior for one year and on release insisted that 52 fellow prisoners be freed as well. To mark this occasion the Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas.
6. The first Guru to engage in warfare.
7. Fought four battles against the Mughal rulers.
8. The strongest and the biggest Guru physically.
9. The city Hargobindpur, in Majha region of Punjab, is named after him, which he won over from Mughals after defeating them in a battle.

 

Guru Har Gobind singh