33 Facts About Guru Hargobind

1.

Guru Hargobind, revered as the sixth Nanak, was the sixth of ten Gurus of the Sikh religion.

2.

Guru Hargobind had become Guru at the young age of eleven, after the execution of his father, Guru Arjan, by the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

3.

Guru Hargobind introduced the process of militarization to Sikhism, likely as a response to his father's execution and to protect the Sikh community.

4.

Guru Hargobind symbolized it by wearing two swords, representing the dual concept of miri and piri.

5.

In front of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, Guru Hargobind constructed the Akal Takht.

6.

Guru Hargobind studied religious texts with Bhai Gurdas and was trained in swordsmanship and archery by Baba Budda.

7.

Guru Hargobind put on two swords: one indicated his spiritual authority and the other, his temporal authority.

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8.

Guru Hargobind followed his martyred father's advice and always kept himself surrounded by armed Sikhs for protection.

9.

Guru Hargobind thus founded the military tradition in the Sikh faith.

10.

The Guru Hargobind was a martial artist and he encouraged people to maintain physical fitness and keep their bodies ready for physical combat.

11.

The Guru Hargobind came to possess seven hundred horses and his Risaldari grew to three hundred horsemen and sixty musketeers.

12.

Guru Hargobind nominated his grandson to succeed him as the seventh Guru Har Rai.

13.

Guru Hargobind died in 1644 at Kiratpur Sahib, a town situated on the banks of river Sutlej, and was cremated on the banks of River Sutlej, where now stands Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib.

14.

Guru Hargobind led the Sikh response against Mughal power after Guru Arjan's execution.

15.

Guru Hargobind nominally accepted Shah Jahan's authority but resisted the Islamic persecution, fighting four wars against Shah Jahan's armies.

16.

Guru Hargobind advised Sikhs to arm and fight the Mughals.

17.

Guru Hargobind symbolically wore two swords, which represented miri piri.

18.

Guru Hargobind built a fort to defend Ramdaspur and created a formal court, Akal Takht.

19.

The year of his release appears to have been either 1611 or 1612, when Guru Hargobind was about 16 years old.

20.

Guru Hargobind requested the Rajas to be freed along with him as well and stood surety for their loyal behavior.

21.

Guru Hargobind got a special gown stitched which had 52 hems.

22.

Guru Hargobind accompanied Jahangir to Kashmir and Rajputana and subdued Tara Chand of Nalagarh, who had continued for a long time in open rebellion and all efforts to subdue him had failed.

23.

Guru Hargobind's army fought battles with the Mughal armies of Shah Jahan at Amritsar, Kartarpur and elsewhere.

24.

Guru Hargobind defeated the Mughal troops near Amritsar in the Battle of Amritsar in 1634.

25.

The Guru Hargobind was again attacked by a provincial detachment of Mughals, but the attackers were routed and their leaders slain.

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26.

Guru Hargobind led his armies against the provincial Muslim governors.

27.

The Guru Hargobind anticipated the return of a larger Mughal force, so retreated into Shivalik Hills to strengthen his defenses and army, with a base in Kiratpur where he continued to stay till his death.

28.

Guru Hargobind was attacked, but he won this battle as well.

29.

Guru Hargobind lost his eldest son Baba Gurdita in 1638.

30.

Baba Biram Das claimed ownership of a piece of land in Dalla, but the Guru Hargobind believed it belonged to his family.

31.

The Guru Hargobind asked Baba Biram Das to take him to the land, where he plowed with his own oxen and discovered a hidden treasure.

32.

The Guru Hargobind asked Baba Biram Das to donate the treasure to the Guru Hargobind's family, which he agreed to do as a sign of his loyalty.

33.

Mid-17th century portrait of Guru Hargobind holding a bird of prey.