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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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