Sikh Guru's and Moghal Emperors
Akbar came to Gowindwal on November 24, 1598 to pay his respects to the then Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, he died a few years later in 1605. On his throne sat Emperor Jahangir. Where as Akbar was liberal in his out look and gave due respect to the teachings of all religions, Jahangir was a fanatic and would not tolerate the spread of any other religion in his land. He looked upon Guru Arjan Dev Ji and his Sikhs with hostility and wanted to suppress their mission. He was particularly displeased with some Muslims who had joined the fold.

The ascension of Jahangir provided Guru RamDas Ji’s elder son Prithi Chand a chance to conspire against Guru Arjan Dev Ji for Prith Chand believed the Guruship should have gone to him. Together with Chandu, a Hindu official at the Emperors court they conspired to persecute Guru Sahib Ji.
 

Sometime earlier Chandu had proposed the marriage of his daughter to Guru Ajran Dev Ji’s son, Hargobind Ji. Being a very arrogant man, the Sikh sangat requested that Guru Ji decline this offer. Upon hearing this Chandu became enraged. Both he and Prithi Chand worked together to poison the Emperors ears. The Emperor summoned Guru Ji to his court and accused him of helping his enemy Khasaru. He ordered that Guru Ji pay a fine of two hundred thousand rupees and to erase hymns in Guru Granth Sahib which were opposed to Islam. Guru Ji replied that he would not pay the fine as he had done nothing wrong and that there were no hymns that opposed any religion. Upon this Janhangir ordered his governor, Murtaz Khan to confiscate all of the Guru’s property and torture him to death. Khan entrusted this job to Chandu who took this opportunity of exact his revenge.

 
Guru Sahib Ji was made to site on a burning hot plate and red hot sand poured over him. This was followed by immersing Guru Ji in boiling hot water. Upon hearing of these events his devotee, a Muslim Mian Mir Ji approached him with the request that he be permitted to see the Emperor to reverse his decision. But Guru Ji refrained him from doing so, saying :

Sweet is Thy Will, O Lord
Devotion to Thee is the only boon I seek.

In some ancient accounts it is said that as was the custom of the day, Guru Ji was then stoned to death on the banks of the river Ravi and his body then immersed into the river. Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore stands as a monument to the sacred memory of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.


After the death of Jahangir, Shah Jahan ascended the throne of Delhi. Shah Jahan was hostile to non muslims, in particular to Sikhs. The wound inflicted on the psyche of the Sikhs ran deep and both parties were primed for a clash at the slightest cause.

Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji had ascended the throne of Guru Nanak and the Sikhs were requested to bring horses and weapons as offerings, for the Sikh community was changing and becoming more radical.

 

One day in 1628 Shah Jahan was hunting in the near Amritsar, Guru Sahib Ji also happened to be in the vicinity. The Emperors hawk strayed into the Guru’s camp and was seized by the Sikhs. The royal huntsmen and troopers pushed themselves in to Guru Ji’s camp and threatened serious consequences if the hawk was not returned. The Sikhs refused to yield to this threatening behavior and the troops returned to the Emperor empty handed. On hearing this the Emperor was enraged and ordered his general Mukhlis Khan and a cavalry of 7000 to bring the Guru and the hawk to him.

The ensuing battle was fought in and around Amritsar. On one side was Guru Ji’s warriors, Bhai Bidhi Chand, Piraga, Jato Mal, Jaita, Takhtu, Gopala, Diala, Babak, Piara and Painda Khan, on the other side was Mukhlis Khan and his warriors, Karim Beg, Rahim Beg, Ali Beg, Jang Beg, Salamat Khan, Bahadur Khan and Didar Ali. Both sides fought furiously many braves were killed on both sides but Mukhlis Khan’s forces were losing ground.

Mukhlis Khan spurred on his warriors “ The Guru hath no army, no soldiers, his Sikhs are common people.” But the Sikhs pushed harder and more imperial forces were lost. Sensing defeat, Mukhlis sent word to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji proposing terms of peace. Guru Sahib Ji replied “Why should we make peace with an Emperor who has no fear of God in his heart? Our reliance is Waheguru, the King of Kings, whose creation this emperor is. If he persists in quarrelling with the men of God, then his army shall perish . If you retire now you may survive, if you persist, not one shall escape.” After severe fighting Guru sahib Ji and Mukhlis Khan confronted each other on the battlefield. Guru Ji galloped towards him as said “Strike first so that you have no regrets.” Mukhlis Khan struck twice with his sword, but missed his mark. Guru Ji gave him no further opportunity and with a masterly stroke slayed Mukhlis Khan, in utter confusion the Mughal ranks fled the battlefield.

Guru Har Rai Ji had ascended the throne of Guru Nanak. Guru Ji set up a small hospital for relieving the distress of the sick. Medicines were given free to all who needed them. Prince Dara Shikoh, the dearly loved elder son of Emperor Shah Jahan fell seriously ill. This was the work of his cunning younger brother Aurangzeb, who had poisoned him. The medicine proscribed by the royal physicians was not to be found anywhere. The prime minister learned of the hospital run by Guru Sahib Ji and wondered whether help could be sought from here. The Emperor wrote a letter in humility repenting for his hostile attitude in the past towards the House of Guru Nanak and asked for forgiveness. The compassionate Guru sent the medicine to the Prince via the royal messenger and Dara Shikoh made a full recovery.

  Home Page 1 Page 2 Page 3