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Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the 10th master of the Sikhism, was born on 7th day of the month of POH, samvat 1723, (22nd December, 1666 AD ) at Patna Sahib in Bihar. Guru ji was a great revolutionary whose greatest achievement was the creation of the Khalsa Panth on Baisakhi Day of 1699 at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. Guru ji was a linguistic familiar with many languages Iike, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit as well as his native Punjabi. Guru ji codified Sikh law,wrote martial poetry and music ,fought many battles and won. Guru ji wrote the renowned holy Granth called the Dasam Granth.The noted prayers included in this Granth are Jaap Sahib, Chandi Di Vaar, Tav-Prasad Savaiye, Zafarnamah, Bachittar Natak, Akal Ustat, Chaupai Sahib and more.
Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji was a revolutionary prophet who practiced his spiritual ideals to counter the forces of tyranny and injustice. Tyranny in all its forms – social, political, and religious was to be countered and annihilated. A state which could not provide basic human rights, social justice, equality and religious freedom was to be opposed. A God oriented person, owed primary allegiance to God, truth, conscience and morality. Guru Gobind Singh was concern were universal, integrated and without any boundaries. The martyrdom of Guru ji’s father, mother, four sons and hundreds of followers for the lofty ideals of freedom, justice and righteousness were unique in the annals of human history. Guru Gobind Singh Ji ignited that spark in human nature that inspired mankind to build lives of compassion, love and commitment to justice and also to suffer and make sacrifices for the cause of righteousness.
Sir J. D.Cunningham, the noted author of the book “, History Of The Sikhs”,wrote about Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji as under:
A living spirit possess the whole Sikh people and the impression of Guru Gobind Singh Ji has not only elevated and attired the constitution of their minds but has operated materially and given amplitude to their physical frames ,”The Khalsa ideals transformed the life, outlook and aspirations of the people and imparted a new direction to Indian history”.
In the words of Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore, “Guru Gobind Singh Ji appeared on the Indian National scene with the message of militarism of the community for the defence of social equality and religious freedom. In order to execute his plan, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji unified the Sikhs, taught them how to face any crisis calmly and boldly and generated a new hope and confidence “.
Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji came to reside Anandpur Sahib along with his parents, when he was a child of 7 years old. After some years, a deputation of Kashmiri Pandits came to Anandpur Sahib and met his father, the 9th Sikh Guru, Shree Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji. They narrated the cruel acts of Mughal rulers towards the Hindu community and sought Guru Ji’s help. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji became silent and was absorbed in deep thoughts. Guru Gobind Singh ii,who was, at that time, a child of just 9 years of age, asked his father about the reason for his silence. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji explained that these helpless people from Kashmir had no one to protect their Dharma. The sacrifice of a great and brave soul was needed.The child, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, immediately Said ,”Who can be more brave and greater than you? Please have mercy on them and do what is necessary to protect “Hindu Dharma “.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was pleased to hear this and went to Delhi to sacrifice his life only to save the Hindu Dharma. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb asked Guru Ji to either embrace Islam or face death.Guru Tegh Bahadur ji replied, “My religion is most dear to me. I am not afraid of death ” At this, Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Guru Ji was to be beheaded at the Main Bazar of Chandni Chowk, Delhi.At the Chandni Chowk in Delhi, where the great Gurudwara Sri Sisganj Sahib stands today, was the place chosen for Guru Ji’s execution. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji died a hero’s death. Guru ji’s execution only strengthened the resistance against Aurangzeb’s religious fanaticism. When Guru Gobind Singh was told that no one came forward to protest because of the fear of death, Guru Ji declared that he would lay the foundation of the Khalsa Panth and would train it in such a way that it’s members would be ready to sacrifice everything for the right cause.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s creation of Khalsa Panth in 1699 AD , on the Baisakhi day at Anandpur Sahib was an event of world significance. Noted historian Arnold Tonybee has called it the precursor and forerunner of Lennin’s communist party two centuries later in the history, an idealistic minority fighting with the weapons of adversity in the name of God , for the sake of majority.
Guru ji baptised the 5 chosen Sikhs by administering Amrit ,prepared by a double edged sword,sweetened by dissolving “Battashas ” in to the water, to them.They were called as the five chosen loved ones, Panj Pyare.
They were given the surname of Singh, and were called as Khalsa, the army of lord God:
“Khalsa Akalpurkh Ki Fauj,
Pargatiyo Khalsa,
Parmatam Ki Mauj!’
(KHALSA is the army of the eternal God raised by him out of his pleasure)
Guru ji held his Chosen five in so high esteem that he knelt before them and asked them to initiate himself into the Khalsa Panth in the same manner as he had done them. Guru ji was then administered Amrit in the same way and was given the surname Singh (Previously Guru ji’s name was Gobind Rai)
The Khalsa, with God’s light shining within was meant to be a global society. They were not to form a separate denomination as that was totally against the Guru Ji concept of universal brotherhood. The creation of the Khalsa Panth was a crowning event of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s life. Ideologically, the creation of the KHALSA PANTH aimed at a well balanced combination of the ideals of Bhakti and Shakti, of moral spiritual excellence and militant valour and heroism of the highest order. They were expected to salute one another with words,
“Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa
Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh!”
This was meant to remind that they were knighted as God’s soldiers to carry out his mission and that victory was theirs.
But the Khalsa, the ‘Singhs”, were not to be merely soldiers. It was imperative that they must at the same time be saints deeply devoted to God, singing his hymns as composed by Sikh Gurus, observing the daily religious discipline prescribed in Rahit Maryaada of the Khalsa Panth and bearing a high moral character. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, though, was a matchless warrior, always remained a Saint at heart.Guru ji was a Saint who had dedicated himself to God,a God intoxicated philosopher Guru ji was a sincere lover of mankind who wanted to see all manmade differences created by barriers of formal religion and social distinctions brought in by caste, to be oblitered from the society.
Guru ji left for his heavenly abode on October 7th, 1708 at a place, Naded, in Maharashtra due to a conspiracy hatched against him by Nawaab Wazir Khan of Punjab. Guru ji,before leaving for his heavenly abode, declared that the Sikh community be guided by the decisions of “Panj Piayrey”, the chosen five, chosen from among the devotees. Guru ji handed over the stewardship of the Sikh Panth, the Sikh way of life, to holy Guru Grant Sahib Ji .Those, who wished to seek God ,can find him in the holy Guru Grant Sahib. Ji.
In conclusion, it can be said that Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji, the son of martyred Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the great grandson of 5th Sikh Guru, Shree Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who also attained martyrdom at Lahore .(Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred for compiling the 1st official version of the holy scripture called the Adi Granth, which later was expanded in to the holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji.), laid at the altar of Almighty, all that that he could call his own, his father, mother, his four sons and even his entire life for the freedom of all including those who considered themselves his enemy.
The man and his philosophy
A divine messenger, a warrior, a poet, and a philosopher, Guru Gobind Singh molded the Sikh religion into its present shape, with the institution of the Khalsa fraternity, and the completion of the sacred scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, in the final form that we find today. Before leaving his mortal body in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh decreed the Guru Granth Sahib as the next and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs.
It may not be out of context to consider that throughout the chronicles of human history, there has been no individual who lived a life more inspirational than Guru Gobind Singh. He is variously revered as Sarbans Dani (the merciful donor, who sacrificed his all), Mard Agamra (man without any parallels), Shah-e-Shahenshah (emperor of emperors), Bar do Alam Shah (ruler of both worlds), amongst others.
It is said that after the martyrdom of his father, Guru Teg Bahadur, the tenth Master declared that he would create such a Panth (community/society), which would challenge the tyrant rulers in every walk of life to restore justice, equality and peace for all of mankind. Via institution of the Khalsa in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji infused the dual spirit of a saint and a soldier in the minds and hearts of his followers to fight oppression in order to restore righteousness (Dharma) and to uplift the down-trodden people in this world.
As a prophet, the Guru is unique. His teachings are very scientific and most suitable for all times. Unlike many other prophets he never called himself God or ‘the only son of God.’ Instead he called all people the sons of God sharing His Kingdom equally. For himself he used the word ‘slave’ or servant of God.
A splendid Divine Light shone in the darkness of the night. Pir Bhikan Shah a Muslim mystic performed his prayers in that Easterly direction (instead of towards the West, contrary to his daily practice), and guided by this Divine Light, he travelled with a group of his followers until he reached Patna Sahib in Bihar. It was here that Gobind Rai was born to Mata Gujri. It is said that Pir Bhikan Shah approached the child and offered two bowls of milk and water, signifying both the great religions of Hinduism and Islam. The child smiled and placed his hands on both bowls. The Pir bowed in utter humility and reverence to the new Prophet of all humanity.
Gobind Rai was born with a holy mission of which he tells us in his autobiography “Bachitar Natak” (Wonderous Drama). In it Guru Ji tells us how and for what purpose he was sent into this world by God. He states that before he came into this world , as a free spirit he was engaged in meditation in the seven peaked Hemkunt mountain.
Early Life
Gobind Rai’s father, Guru Teg Bahadur, the Ninth Guru, was then travelling across Bengal and Assam. Returning to Patna in 1670, he directed his family to return to the Punjab. On the site of the house at Patna in which Gobind Rai was born and where he spent his early childhood now stands a sacred shrine, Sri Patna Sahib Gurdwara, Bihar.
Gobind Rai was escorted to Anandpur (then known as Chakk Nanaki) on the foothills of the Sivaliks where he reached in March 1672 and where his early education included reading and writing of Punjabi, Braj, Sanskrit and Persian. He was barely nine years of age when a sudden turn came in his life as well as in the life of the community he was destined to lead.
Kashmiri Brahmins come to Anandpur
Early in 1675, a group of Kashmiri brahmins under the leadership of Pandit Kirpa Ram, mad in desperation by the religious fanaticism of the Mughals General, Iftikar Khan, (he had threatened them with forced conversion to Islam) visited Anandpur to seek Guru Teg Bahadur’s advice. Aurangzeb had ordered the forced conversion of all Hindus and thought that if the respected Kashmiri brahmans accepted Islam, others in the country would be easily converted. They had been given six months to decide or suffer the consequences. Time was running out!
As the Guru sat reflecting what to do, young Gobind Rai, arriving there in company with his playmates, asked why he looked so preoccupied. The father, as records Kuir Singh in his Gurbilas Patshahi 10, replied, “Grave are the burdens the earth bears. She will be redeemed only if a truly worthy person comes forward to lay down his head. Distress will then be expunged and happiness ushered in.” “None could be worthier than you to make such a sacrifice,” remarked Gobind Rai in his innocent manner. Guru Teg Bahadur advised the brahmins to return to their village and tell the authorities that they would accept Islam if Guru Teg Bahadur could first be persuaded to do so.
Soon afterwards the Guru with a few followers proceeded to the imperial capital, Delhi. After watching the tortured deaths of three of his followers he, as well, refused to convert and was beheaded on November 11, 1675. The 13 year old Gobind Rai, ordained as the next Guru before his father departed Anandpur, was formally installed as Guru Gobind Singh on the Baisakhi day of March 1676. In the midst of his engagement with the concerns of the community, he gave attention to the mastery of physical skills and literary accomplishment. He had grown into a comely youth spare, lithe of limb and energetic.
He had a natural genius for poetic composition and his early years were assiduously given to this pursuit. The Var Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki, popularly called Chandi di Var. written in 1684, was his first composition and his only major work in the Punjabi language. The poem depicted the legendary contest between the gods and the demons as described in the Markandeya Purana. The choice of a warlike theme for this and a number of his later compositions such as the two Chandi Charitras, mostly in Braj, was made to infuse martial spirit among his followers to prepare them to stand up against injustice and tyranny.
For the first 20 years or so of his life, Guru Gobind Singh lived peacefully at Anandpur practicing arms and exercises to complete his training as a soldier.
He also studied Persian and Sanskrit and engaged 52 poets to translate the Hindu epics. Stories of ancient heroes were translated into Punjabi in order to create the martial spirit among the Sikhs. The Guru also wrote several compositions including Jaap Sahib, Akal Ustat and Sawayas during this period. He also established a Gurdwara at Paonta Sahib on the banks of the river Jamna.
Stay at Paonta Sahib
Much of Guru Gobind Singh’s creative literary work was done at Paonta he had founded on the banks of the River Yamuna and to which site he had temporarily shifted in April 1685. Poetry as such was, however, not his aim. For him it was a means of revealing the divine principle and concretizing a personal vision of the Supreme Being that had been vouchsafed to him. His Jap Sahib, Swayas and the composition known as Akal Ustat are in this tenor.
Through his poetry he preached love and equality and a strictly ethical and moral code of conduct. He preached the worship of the One Supreme Being, deprecating idolatry and superstitious beliefs and observances. The glorification of the sword itself which he eulogized as Bhagauti was to secure fulfillment of God’s justice. The sword was never meant as a symbol of aggression, and it was never to be used for self-aggrandizement. It was the emblem of manliness and self-respect and was to be used only in self-defence, as a last resort.
Martial training
During his stay at Paonta, Guru Gobind Singh availed himself of his spare time to practice different forms of manly exercises, such as riding, swimming and archery. His increasing influence among the people and the martial exercises of his men excited the jealousy of the neighbouring Rajput hill rulers who led by Raja Fateh Chand of Garhwal collected a host to attack him. But they were worsted in an action at Bhangam, about 10 km north-east of Paonta, in September 1688. Soon thereafter Guru Gobind Singh left Paonta Sahib and returned to Anandpur. The Guru and his Sikhs were involved in a battle with a Mughal commander, Alif Khan, at Nadaur on the left bank of the Beas, about 30 km south-east of Kangra, in March 1691.
Describing the battle in stirring verse in Bachitra Natak, he said that Alif Khan fled in utter disarray “without being able to give any attention to his camp.” Among several other battles that occurred was the Husain battle (20 February 1696) fought against Husain Khan, an imperial general, which resulted in a decisive victory for the Sikhs.
Following the appointment in 1694 of the liberal Prince Muazzam (later Emperor Bahadur Shah) as viceroy of north-western region including Punjab, there was however a brief respite from pressure from the ruling authority. In Sambat 1756 (1699 A.D), Guru Gobind Singh issued directions to Sikh sangats or communities in different parts not to acknowledge masands, the local ministers, against whom he had heard complaints. He asked the Sikhs to send their offerings directly to Anandpur.
The Masands
The Guru received various complaints against the priests, masands who robbed the poor Sikhs and misappropriated the collections. Guru Sahib abolished this order and severly punished the miscreants. Hereafter, the faithful were to bring their offerings directly to the Guru at the time of the annual Vaisakhi fair. The Guru wanted to create a strong self-respecting community. He inspired the Sikhs with courage and heroism and a life of simplicity and hard work. He started an arms factory at Anandpur in order to manufacture swords and lances needed for his soldiers. Once when the Brahmins insisted that he should offer worship to goddess Durga in order to seal victory, he agreed and kept up the farce till nothing came out of it. At the crucial moment, the Guru unsheathed his sword exclaiming, “The sword is the Durga which will give us victory over our enemies.
Sikhs, he instructed, should come to Anandpur straight without any intermediaries. The Guru thus established direct relationship with his Sikhs. The institution of the Khalsa was given concrete form on 30 March 1699 when Sikhs had gathered at Anandpur in large numbers for the annual festival of Baisakhi.
Creation of the Khalsa
An open air diwan was held in Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur. The Guru drew his sword and in a thundering voice said, “I want one head, is there any one who can offer me?”
This most unusual call caused some terror in the gathering and the people were stunned. There was dead silence. The Guru made a second call. Nobody came forward. There was still more silence. On the third call there raised Daya Ram, a khatri of Lahore who said, “O true king, my head is at your service.”
The Guru took Daya Ram by the arm and led him inside a tent. A blow and thud were heard. Then the Guru, with his sword dripping with blood, came out and said, “I want another head, is there anyone who can offer?” Again on third call Dharam Das, a Jat from Delhi came forward and said, “O true king! My head is at thy disposal.” The Guru took Dharam Das inside the tent, again a blow and thud were heard, and he came out with his sword dripping with blood and repeated, “I want another head, is there any beloved Sikh who can offer it?”
Upon this some people in the assembly remarked that the Guru had lost all reason and went to his mother to complain. Mohkam Chand, a calico priner/tailor of Dwarka (west coast of India) offered himself as a sacrifice. The Guru took him inside the tent and went through the same process. When he came out, he made a call for the fourth head. The Sikhs began to think that he was going to kill all of them.
Some of them ran away and the others hung their heads down in disbelief. Himmat Chand, a cook of Jagan Nath Puri, offered himself as a fourth sacrifice. Then the Guru made a fifth and the last call for a fifth head. Sahib Chand, a barber of Bidar (in central India), came forward and the Guru took him inside the tent. A blow and thud were heard.
The last time he stayed longer in the tent. People began to breathe with relief. They thought may be the Guru has realised “his mistake” and has now stopped.
The panj pyare
The Guru now clad his five volunteers in splendid garments. They had offered their heads to the Guru, and the Guru had now given them himself and his glory. When they were brought outside, they were in the most radiant form. There were exclamations of wonder and the sighs of regret on all sides. Now people were sorry for not offering their heads.
Since the time of Guru Nanak, Charan Pauhal had been the customary form of initiation. People were to drink the holy water which had been touched or washed by the Guru’s toe or feet. The Guru proceeded to initiate them to his new order (Khande di Pauhal) by asking the five faithful Sikhs to stand up. He put pure water into an iron vessel or Bowl (Batta of Sarbloh) and stirred it with a Khanda (two edged small sword). While stirring the water with Khanda, he recited Gurbani (Five Banis- Japji, Jaap Sahib, Anand Sahib, Swayas, and Chaupai). Sugar crystals called ‘Patasas’ which incidently the Guru’s wife, Mata Sahib Kaur, had brought at that moment, were mixed in the water.
Amrit Sanchar
The Guru then stood up with the sacred Amrit (nectar) prepared in the iron bowl. Each of the five faithful, by turn, each kneeling upon his left knee, looked up to the Master to receive the divine amrit. He gave five palmfuls of Amrit to each of them to drink and sprinkled it five times in the eyes, asking them to repeat aloud with each sprinkle, “Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.” (This means: Khalsa belongs to God and all triumph be to His Name) Then he anointed with five sprinkles in the hair.
In this way Amrit was administered to the five faithful from the same bowl. After that he asked them to sip Amrit from the same bowl to signify their initiation into the casteless fraternity of the Khalsa. All the five faithful were baptized in this way by the Guru who then called them the ‘PANJ PYARE’ or Five Beloved Ones.
He gave them the appellation of Singhs (Lions) and they were named from Daya Ram to Daya Singh, Dharam Das to Dharam Singh, Mohkam Chand to Mohkam Singh, Himmat Chand to Himmat Singh, and Sahib Chand to Sahib Singh. The Guru then addressed them as the supreme, the liberated ones, pure ones and he called them The Khalsa.
Guru asks for Amrit
After the Guru had administered Amrit to his Five Beloved Ones, he stood up in supplication and with folded hands, begged them to baptize him in the same way as he had baptized them. He himself became their disciple (Wonderful is Guru Gobind Singh, himself the Master and himself the disciple). The Five Beloved Ones were astonished at such a proposal, and represented their own unworthiness, and the greatness of the Guru, whom they deemed God’s Vicar upon earth. They asked him why he made such a request and why he stood in a supplicant posture before them. He replied,” I am the son of the Immortal God. It is by His order I have been born and have established this form of baptism. They who accept it shall henceforth be known as the Khalsa. The Khalsa is the Guru and the Guru is the Khalsa. There is no difference between you and me. As Guru Nanak seated Guru Angad on the throne, so have I made you also a Guru. Wherefore administer the baptismal nectar to me without any hesitation.” Accordingly the Five Beloved Ones baptized the Guru with the same ceremonies and injunctions he himself had employed.
The rise of the Khalsa
The Guru was then named Gobind Singh instead of Gobind Rai. Guru Gobind Singh was the first one to take Amrit from the Khalsa, the Five Beloved Ones. About 80,000 men and women were baptized within a few days at Anandpur. “The creation of the Khalsa was the greatest work of the Guru. He created a type of superman, a universal man of God, casteless and country less. The Guru regarded himself as the servant of the Khalsa. He said, “To serve them pleases me the most; no other service is so dear to my soul.” The Khalsa was the spearhead of resistance against tyranny.” (Miss Pearl, S. Buck)
The creation of the Khalsa created a sense of unity among the Sikhs and their supporters. This unity and the resulting perceived strength in the Sikhs did not go well with the local rulers. The continuous gatherings at Anandpur sahib and the presence of many thousands of the congregation, some armed with fierce weapons caused anguish with the surrounding hill Rajas. These developments most alarmed the caste ridden Rajput chiefs of the Sivalik hills. They perceived the Sikhs as lower caste beings who had posed no danger to their authority. However, the creation of the Khalsa changed that. Firstly, it disturbed their system of discrimination and division; secondly, they could see that the forces of the Guru were becoming dangerous in number and in armaments.
Siege of Anandpur
They hence rallied under the leadership of the Raja of Bilaspur, in whose territory lay Anandpur, to forcibly evict Guru Gobind Singh from his hilly citadel. Their repeated expeditions during 1700-04 however proved abortive. The Khalsa forces were too strong to be dealt with by the hill Rajas. They at last petitioned Emperor Aurangzeb for help. In concert with contingents sent under imperial orders by the governor of Lahore and those of the faujdar of Sirhind, they marched upon Anandpur and laid a siege to the fort in May 1705.
Over the months, the Guru and his Sikhs firmly withstood their successive assaults despite insufficient amounts of food resulting from the prolonged blockade. While the besieged (Sikhs) were reduced to desperate straits, the besiegers (governor of Lahore) too were exhausted at the courage of the Sikhs. At this stage the besiegers offered, on Oath (promise) of the Qur’an, safe exit to the Sikhs if they quit Anandpur. At last, the town was evacuated during a night of December 1705. But as the Guru and his Sikhs came out, the hill monarchs and their Mughal allies set upon them in full fury.
Sikhs tricked by the Mughals
In the ensuing confusion many Sikhs were killed and all of the Guru’s baggage, including most of the precious manuscripts, was lost. The Guru himself was able to make his way to Chamkaur, 40 km southwest of Anandpur, with barely 40 Sikhs and his two elder sons. There the imperial army, following closely on his heels, caught up with him. His two sons, Ajit Singh (born. 1687) and Jujhar Singh (born. 1691) and all but five of the Sikhs fell in the action that took place on 7 December 1705. The five surviving Sikhs commanded the Guru to save himself in order to reconsolidate the Khalsa.