Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

On the 16 June of every year since 1606, the Sikhs have commemorated the martyrdom of their first martyr, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Sikh history until then had been peaceful and non-violent. All the Sikh Gurus had been known to teach the message of love, compassion, worship of one God, commitment to peace and harmony for all the peoples of the world and to walk through the path as directed by the Gurus. All the people weather Hindus and Muslims had began to follow the teachings of Sikhism as given by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Many people followed him and thus moved to Govindwal, the centre of Sikhs during the late 1500's.

At that time, Mughal were ruling over the state. After the death of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1605, his son Jahangir ruled over India. Jahangir was a Muslim, and wanted to spread his religion in the country. Obsessed with the view of spreading Islam, he forced poeple to change their religion. Though Guru Arjan Dev Ji was spreading sikhism, and with the increased concern in the people towards the religion and its growing popularity among the Hindus and Muslims, Jahangir felt very jealous and took steps against the Guru. As Jahangir was jealous about Guru's propagation of Sikhism, he marked many baseless allegations against Guru Sahib. One was, helping Khusrau, who was Jahangir's son. He was even jealous of his son as he was the preferred choice of Akbar to be the next ruler of India rather than Jahangir, as according to Akbar, Jahangir was unfit to rule. But in the 'war of succession' Jahangir had won and Khusrau and managed to hold on to Punjab alone. Diwan Chandu Shahgo went to Jahangir and filled his ears with poison against Guru Ji as his proposal was refused by Guru Arun Dev ji. Jahangir gave the orders of Guruji's martydom. Guru Arun Dev ji was staying in Govindwal, on the river Biyah (Beas). Guruji used to dress very simple, in the holy garments, was simple-hearted and captured the heart of the Hindus and other ignorant and foolish followers of Islam, by his ways and manners.


Khusrau, Jahangir's son when passed Govindwal, he came to know about Guru Arjan Dev ji. He reached his place and received the blessings of Guru Arjan Dev ji. As Jahangir was already jealous of the gurus fame, when he came to know of his popularity he commanded that Guruji should be put to death. It is said that, Guru was arrested in the late May 1606, and was brought to Lahore where he was subject to severe torture. Guruji was made to sit on a burning hot plate and hot sand was poured over his head and body. A Muslim Sufi Saint, Mian Mir who was Guruji's friend and was aware of his divine qualities, tried to intercede on behalf of Guru Sahib but Guru ji disallow him to interfere in the "Will of the Almighty". Thus, Guruji's body was burnt. And after was put in the cold water of Ravi. Thus Guru Sahib embraced martyrdom on Jeth Sudi 4th (1st Harh) Samvat 1663, (May 16, 1606).

The martyrdom (Kurbani) of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji changed the entire character of Sikhism.

Read more...

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Life History

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth sikh guru was the son of Guru Ram Das ji and grandson of Guru Amar Das ji, was born on April 15, 1563 A.D. at Goindwal, a small town on the bank of the river Beas in Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev spent 11 years of his life under the grace of his grandfather at Goindwal. Guru Arjan was married to Ganga, daughter of Krishen Chand, a resident of Meo village near Phillaur in Jalandhar district. The marriage took place in 1589 when he was about 26 years old.

He completed the construction of Amritsar and founded Taran Taran and Kartarpur. He constructed a Baoli at Lahore. His most important waork was that, he collected all the hymns of the first four Gurus in 1604, and compiled them in the form of a holy book named Adi Granth. Guru Arjan dev ji organised a group of representatives to taught and spread the teachings of the Gurus and also asked people to contribute one-tenth of their income, also known as 'Dasvand' for the name of God, to support the buildings of Gurdwaras, to contribute for Langars or to help the needy. The Langars organized in the gurudwaras were to remove the caste system as all the people irrespective of the castes and creed were allowed to join.

The aim of Guru Arjan Dev ji's life was to spread the message and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He laid the formation Amritsar for the purpose so that people could connect to sikh religion. It was a centre which would bond the people of all th religions. Thus gradually the city became very popular and a great place of pilgrimage of the Sikh people. As the time passed, the teaching of Nanak took a firm hold on the minds of his followers.

Guru Arjan dev ji also composed many hymns of his own, which he included in the Adi Granth. He appointed Baba Budha Ji as the chief priest of the Golden Temple, as he was the companion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and an associate of each of the subsequent Gurus. He placed the Adi Granth on the Gaddi (throne) reserved for him. Thus, became a Guru on September 1581 following in the footsteps of Guru Ram Das Ji.

Read more...