Sikh Guru's and Moghal Emperors
 
In the year 1707, the Emperor Aurangzeb died. Bhai Santokh Singh writes that as the end came near for the Emperor he lost all appetite and power of digestion. Whatever he ate acted as poison in his body. He remained in this condition for several days, terrified of visions of angels of death hovering around him. This was the same Aurangzeb who had imprisoned his own father for seven years, who was responsible for the death of his own brothers, who had put an end to the life of saints like Sarmad, whom Guru Harkrishan Ji refused to see and upon whose orders led to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom.

 

Guru Gobind Singh Ji had frankly and boldly appraised him of his sins (see Zafarnama page elsewhere on this site) and lack of genuine faith in God and also told him that if ever he (the emperor) met him, then he (the Guru) would teach him to follow the righteous path. It seems the emperor wanted his sins to be forgiven and could not see anyone else who could do so in his old age and declining health, but God willed otherwise.
 
Accept Lala Ghanaiya Lal and some Sikh historians all other Muslim and British historians are silent about the part played by Guru Ji in defeating Tara Azam. They have recorded that Guru Sahib Ji had sent two to three hundred Sikh soldiers, under the command of Bhai Dhara Singh in aid of Bahadur Shah. But they fail to mention that it was as a result of two arrows shot by Guru Gobind Singh Ji that Taram Azam was killed and the throne of Delhi went to Bahadur Shah.
 

Just as Sri Ram Chander had killed Bali by his arrow from the cover of a tree, known as amogh baan (the unerring arrow), Guru Gobind Singh Ji had sent most of his Sikhs to the battle front, only a few were left with him. Guru Sahib Ji was watching the progress of the battle from higher ground. Guru Sahib Ji rode on his steed and shot the arrows from horseback at Tara Azam. Guru Ji had mastered the art of archery, as he mentions in the Zafarnama (Epistle of victory). Moreover, Guru Sahib Ji had promised Bhai Nand Lal Ji that he would kill Tara Azam and have the imperial throne restored to Bahadur Shah.
 
  Tara Azam ko hum ma-ray.
Kash umraav smate bitha-ray. (Suraj Parkash)
 
 
Bahadur Shah acknowledged Guru Sahib Ji’s part in his ascension to the throne and presented a precious dhukh-dhukhi . This is also further borne out by Guru Sahib Ji’s hukamnama addressed to the Sikhs of Dhaul (near Anandpur Sahib) in the following words :

“O Satguru Ji.”
“The entire sangat of Dhaul is my Khalsa! The Guru will protect you, remember the Guru always and your life will be redeemed. I came in all safety to meet the emperor and receive the robe of honour and dhukh-dhukhi, costing sixty thousand dinars. By Guru’s grace, all other works are being accomplished. I will also come after a few days. It is my commandment to all Khalsa that they should remain united and thus happy.” (1st October 1707).


   
   
   
   
 
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