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Guru Hargobind is recognized as the driving force behind the militarization of the Sikh community. (Image: Shutterstock)
Guru Hargobind Sahib was always seen with two swords, reflecting the “Miri-Piri” ideology. The first sword, Miri, meant power, while Piri represented his spiritual abilities.
The sixth guru of Sikhism, Guru Hargobind Sahib, was born on June 19, 1595, the son of Mata Ganga and Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth guru of the Sikhs. Guru Hargobind is recognized as the driving force behind the militarization of the Sikh community. Now that the community is receiving an end to persecution by the Mughal rulers, he stressed the need for the population to cultivate a martial mentality.
Guru Hargobind Sahib was always seen with two swords, reflecting the “Miri-Piri” ideology. The first sword, Miri, meant power, while Piri represented his spiritual abilities.
All you need to know
- Guru Hargobind Sahib was born in the Wadali area of Amritsar. At the age of 11, Guru Hargobind became the sixth guru of the Sikhs after his father, Guru Arjan Singh, was assassinated by the Mughal ruler Jehangir.
- Guru Hargobind Sahib was an accomplished swordsman, horseman and fighter. He formed an army called Sant Sipahi (Sain Soldiers) to combat the persecution of the Sikhs by the Mughals.
- During Shah Jahan's rule, Mughal forces regularly attacked Sikhs in Kartarpur, Amritsar and other places. Guru Hargobind fought with the army with courage and endurance, inspiring his fellow Sikhs and laying the foundation stone of the heritage of Sikh warriors.
- In addition to raising the army, Guru Hargobind actively promoted Sikhism by sending his followers across the country to spread the teachings of Guru Nanak. Guru Hargobind was imprisoned for twelve years by the Mughal emperor Jehangir for his efforts to raise a formidable army.
- The Akal Takht, one of the five Takhts (seats of power) of Sikhism, was established by Guru Hargobind. He was Guru for 37 years, 9 months and 3 days, the longest tenure of any of the ten Gurus. His army was able to defeat the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan four times.
- Guru Hargobind Sahib built the Lohgarh fort near Amritsar. Its construction began in the 1620s and ended in 1710.
- On 3 March 1544 he died at Kirtarpur, undivided Punjab. Before his death, Guru Hargobind Sahib chose his grandson Guru Har Rai as heir to his legacy and seventh guru of Sikhism.
