Guru Hargobind Ji

1. Greetings
on
Bandi Chor Diwas
Let’s know our History
By: Commander Balvir Singh

2. This day is associated
with
6th Sikh Guru
Sri Guru Hargobind Ji

3. Sri Guru Hargobind Ji (Bandi Chor Guru)
• Sri Guru Hargobind Ji (19 June 1595 - 3 March 1644) is revered as the Sixth Nanak.
• On 25 May 1606 Guru Arjan nominated his son Sri Hargobind Ji as his successor. Shortly
afterwards, Guru Arjan was arrested, tortured and killed by order of the Mogul Emperor
Jahangir.
• Guru Hargobind's succession ceremony took place on 24 June 1606. He was barely
eleven years old when he became 6th Guru.
• As ordered by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, he put on two swords, one indicating his spiritual
authority (PIRI) and the other, his temporal authority (MIRI). He thus for the first time
initiated military tradition in the Sikh faith to resist religious persecution, protect
people’s freedom and independence to practice religion by choice. He transformed
Sikhs to be Saints and Soldier.
• He had a long tenure as Guru, lasting 37 years, 9 months and 3 days.

4. Sri Guru Hargobind Ji
• He founded Sri Akal Takhat Sahib (The Throne of the Almighty) in 1609.
• He constructed Loh Garh Fort (1609) , Dera Sahib Lahor and established towns such as
Keeratpur Sahib, Maraz, Hargobindpur, Kaul Sar, Bibek Sar and Sri Gur Sar.
• Sri Guru Hargobid Ji fought 4 wars with Mogul army. They were fought during 1629 @
Gumtala, 1630 @ Jalandhar, 1631 @ Nathana and last one in 1634 @ Kartarpur. He won
all by killing the mogul General’s.
• He encouraged Dhadi’s to sing Veer Ras “Varan” to motivate people toward life of self
respect.
• He led Sikhism during the most difficult time in the Sikhism history when Mughal rulers
had unleashed their terror by killing Guru Arjun Dev Ji. He was an excellent Military
leader, Religious leaders and Nation builder.
• Son/ Daughters: Baba Gurdita Ji ( Dheer Mal, (Guru) Har Rai Ji , Suraj Mal Ji, Ani Rai Ji,
Baba Atall Ji, (Guru) Teg Bhadar Ji and Bibi Veero Ji .

5. Arrest of Guru Hargobind Ji
• Murtaja Khan, Nawab of Lahore, noticed that Guru Ji had constructed the Sri
Akal Takhat Sahib (The Throne of the Almighty), at Amritsar, and was also
strengthening his army, he informed the Mughal Emperor Jahangir about this.
• He also, incorrectly, emphasized that the Sikh Guru was making preparations to
take revenge for his father's torture and martyrdom. When Jahangir heard about
this he at once sent Wazir Khan and Guncha Beg to Amritsar in order to
arrest Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.
• Wazir Khan, who happened to be an admirer of Guru Hargobind, rather than
arresting him, requested the Guru to accompany them to Delhi telling him that
Emperor Jahangir wanted to meet him. When he reached Delhi, he was arrested
and send to Gwalior Fort (1611).

6. Reasons of Arrest
• Hiding his fear of uprising of masses against him in North India by Guru’s awaking of
masses, Jehangir charged Guru Hargobind Ji with totally baseless charges, He said Guru
Hargobind is responsible to pay penalty imposed on his father Guru Arjun Dev who had
refused to pay it during his life. He ordered his imprisonment at Gwalior Fort.
• Principal Satbir Singh in his book “Our History Part I” (1970) refers to Mohsan Fani’s
writing who says “some irrelevant reasons were found and Guru was wrongly charged
on those accounts to arrest him”.
• JD Cunningham writes the reasons of Guru’s arrest as he had introduced the concept of
“Miri & Piri”, constructed Akal Takhat (The Throne of the Almighty), Keping a regular
forces of Armed Men, Horses and holding regular Darbar to interact with people with
their problems and giving judgments to resolve their grievances.
• SM Latiff has also given similar views on reasons of Guru’s arrest. He add that Jehangir
was jealous of Guru’s Splendor and State.

7. In captivity at Gwalior
• He was kept in captivity at Gwalior fort along with many other political prisoners who
were mostly Kings from Rajputana and Hill states. They were charged with revolting
against Mughal rulers.
• After the news of arrest of Guru at Gwalior, Sikhs from all over India mainly from
Punjab started protest marches in small groups (Called as Chonkia’s in those time) and
visited Gwalior, took a circle of fort to seek Guru’s blessings and return. As the time
passed Chonkia’s became regular and larger. This was threatening to Mughal rulers.
• A large number of Muslim’s also advised Jahangir to release Guru Ji. Wajir Khan and
Sain Miya Meer ji met Jahangir and asked to release Guru.
• Jahangir had to order release of Guru Ji due to increasing public opinion.
• On hearing this order, Guru Ji refused to be released alone and asked all prisoners to
be released along him.

8. Bandi Chor Diwas
• On insistence of Guru Hargobind Jahangir
in 1612 ordered released all 52 Kings
mostly from Rajputana and Hill states.
However, he laid a condition that who so
ever can hold Guru’s robe will be released.
• Guru Ji got a new robe stitched having 52
long strands to be held by imprisoned
Kings. All of them held on their strand and
walked out of fort with Guru Hargobind Ji.
• Guru Ji reached Amritsar around this time,
the people lit up the whole city with
thousands of candles, lights and lamps like
they had never done before; there was
celebration and joy all over the city .
• This day all Sikhs world over remember the
greatness of Guru and celebrate this day as
Bandi Chor Diwas.

9. References:
1. Our History – Principl Satbir Singh
2. Guru Itihas- Prof Sahib Singh
From:
Cdr Balvir Singh
737 Urban Estate Phase I, Jalandhar .
E-mail : balvir57@gmail.com