Guru Arjun Dev Ji

1. Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji

2. Disclaimer
In Sikh faith worshiping idols and pictures of Sikh Gurus is
not practiced as we believe that the God is unborn,
uncreated, beyond incarnation (ਅਜੂਨੀ). We believe in the
shabad* of the Gurbani enshrined in the
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji our present Guru.
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1. Shabad* - Creator / Order of creator obtained by Guru / Religion.
(page 131 of Gurmat Martand by Bhai Sahib Bhai Khan Singh Nabha)
2. The pictures used in this book are unverified pictures.

3. < siqgur pRswid]
Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji
(AD 1581-1606)
a spiritual journey
by
Commander Balvir Singh

4. Sikh Gurus Period (1469-1708)
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji ushered in a new spiritual, social and religious
revolution in Indian. The growth of Sikhism by the next nine Gurus till
Guru Gobind Singh was always challenged by the orthodox Hindus and
Mughal rulers. However, Sikh Gurus taught people to be fearless, stand
for liberty, equality, universal brotherhood and prosperity for all (Sarbat
Da Bhalla).
• Two Sikh Gurus Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1606 AD and later Guru Tegh
Bahadar Ji in 1675 AD laid their life upholding these principles. Later Sri
Guru Gobind Singh Ji sacrificed all his family and dear Sikhs from 1705-
08 AD to protect the right of religious independence and oppose
atrocities by the rulers.
• It is a matter of great pride that Sikhism is now the world’s 5th largest
religion after Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

5. Guru Arjun Dev Ji

6. Guru Arjun Dev Ji
• Birth - 15 April 1563 (AD), 19 Vaisakh 1620 Sambat.
• Birth Place - Govindwal (Sahib)
• Father,Mother - Guru Ramdas Ji and Mata Bhani Ji
• Brothers - Prithi Chand and Mahadev Ji
• Married to - Mata Ganga Ji
• Date of Gurta Gaddi - 01 Sept 1581 AD
• Jyoyi jot - 30 May 1606 AD
• Son - (Guru) Hargobind Ji
Bani:
Shabad - 1345
Ashtpadia - 62
Chand - 62
Vara -110
• Places constructed- Santhoksar, Taran Taran, Chrahata, Gobindpura, Guru Ka Bag,
Ramsar. etc

7. Blessing’s of Guru Amardas Ji
• Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji’s mother Mata
Bhani Ji was the daughter of Sri Guru
Amardas Ji. Guru Arjun Dev Ji spent his
childhood (upto 11 years) at Nanka
house.
• He learned Gurmukhi script and Gurbani
from Sri Guru Amardas ji & Baba Budha
ji. He also learned Mathematics,
Persian, Hindi and Sanskrit languages.
He was a skilled horse rider and
excelled in use of arms.
• Guru Amardas ji seeing his love for
Gurbani had blessed him as a “Nobel
person and master of Gurbani.

8. 5th Sikh Guru Arjun Dev Ji
• Guru Ramdas Ji declared him to be his
successor at Amritsar in early 1581
AD. Prithi Chand the eldest son of
Guru Ram Das Ji opposed the
decision as wanted himself to be the
next Guru. This was a very disturbing
time and Guru Ramdas Ji left Amritsar
and came over to Govindwal Sahib.
• While in Govindwal, on 01 Sept 1581
he called upon Sikh sangat to
assemble. He bowed before Guru
Arjan Dev and declared him to be 5th
Sikh Guru at the age of 18 years 4
months.
• Baba Buda Ji performed the ceremony.
(Note: Baba Budha Ji was the most
respected Sikh of the time and had
performed this ceremony for 2nd - 6th
Sikh Gurus) .

9. Guru Ji in the writing of Bhatts
On the day of Dastarbandi, Bhatts (Bards) saw Guru Arjun Dev Ji in a calm and
composed demeanor even after facing wrath of Prithi Chand, their faith in him
multiplied many fold and wrote Sawayes in the praise of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
siq rUpu siq nwmu squ sMqoKu DirE auir ] Awid puriK prqiK ilK´au ACru msqik Duir ]
pRgt joiq jgmgY qyju BUA mMfil CwXau ] pwrsu pris prsu pris guir gurU khwXau ]
Bin mQurw mUriq sdw iQru lwie icqu snmuK rhhu ]
kljuig jhwju Arjunu gurU sgl isRis† lig ibqrhu ]2]
(He is the Embodiment of Truth; He has enshrined the True Name, Sat Naam, Truth and
contentment within His heart. From the very beginning, the Primal Being has written this destiny
upon his forehead. His divine light shines forth, dazzling and radiant; His glorious grandeur
pervades the realms of the world. Meeting the Guru, touching the Philosopher's Stone, He was
acclaimed as Guru. So speaks Mathura: I constantly focus my consciousness on him; as
sunmukh, I look to him. In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, Guru Arjan is the Boat; attached to
him, the entire universe is safely carried across. ||2|| )

10. Kil smudR Bey rUp pRgit hir nwm auDwrnu ]
bsih sMq ijsu irdY duK dwirdR invwrnu ]
inrml ByK Apwr qwsu ibnu Avru n koeI ]
mn bc ijin jwixAau BXau iqh smsir soeI ]
Drin ggn nv KMf mih joiq sÍrUpI rihE Bir ]
Bin mQurw kCu Bydu nhI guru Arjunu prqK´ hir ]7]19]
Ãò¾Âƶ îÔ¾ñÅ 5, ê¿éÅ 1409)
(In the ocean of this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Lord's Name has been revealed in the
Form of Guru Arjun, to save the world. Pain and poverty are taken away from that
person, within whose heart the Saint abides. He is the Pure, Immaculate Form of the
Infinite Lord; except for Him, there is no other at all. Whoever knows Him in thought,
word and deed, becomes just like Him. He is totally pervading the earth, the sky and the
nine regions of the planet. He is the Embodiment of the Light of God. So speaks
Mathura: there is no difference between God and Guru; Guru Arjun is the
Personification of the Lord Himself. ||7||19|| )

11. Opposition by Prithi Chand
• Even after when Sri Guru Arjun dev Ji returned to Amritsar in October
1581. Prithi Chand continued his opposition to Guru Ji.
• He had approached the Mugal rulers Akbar in 1585 against Guru Ji.
However, Akbar refused to interfere in matter of faith. Later he aligned
with Sulhi Khan (a revenue officer) to harm Guru Sahib. This plan also
failed as Sulhi Khan died by his sudden fall in a live Brick Kiln.
• Bhai Gurdas ji who was a Sikh preacher at Agra when came to have
darshan of Guru Ji in early 1582 AD was very disturbed to see
continual damage to the Sikh institution by Prithi Chand. He educated
all Sikhs on the nefarious design of Prithi Chand and in a very short
time things were brought under control.

12. Contribution
of
Guru Arjun Dev Ji
to the
Sikhism & the society

13. Construction of Sri Harmandir Sahib
• Guru Arjun Dev ji completed the
remaining work of sarowar in
Amritsar in 1586. He started work
of Harmandir in 1588, He invited a
Muslim Saint Hazrat Mian Mir Ji to
lay the foundation stone.
• Construction of Sri Harmandir
continued till 1590.

14. Compilation of Adi Granth
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji )
• Adi Granth was composed in 30* different ragas
(musical nodes) in Gurmukhi script. The Granth
had hymns of Sikh Gurus, Seventeen Saints from
all over India from all wake of societies and
Eleven Bhats.
• Guru Ji himself contributed about 2218 hymns
out of a total of 5870* shabad in Granth Sahib.
• He had Adi Granth written through Bhai Gurdas
Ji (A noted Sikh scholar). The entire work took
more than 3 years and was completed on 15th
Aug 1604.
• The compilation work including binding etc was
done on the bank of Ramsarowar in Amritsar.
• Later Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji added Bani of Sri
Guru Tegh Bahadar ji (116 shabads) and the
count of ragas increased to 31. Sri Guru Granth
Sahib is now printed in 1430 pages (angs)

15. Installation of Guru Granth Sahib
in Harmandir Sahib
• Guru Arjun Dev Ji installed Sri Granth
Sahib at Sri Harmandir Sahib on 16
August 1604.
• Baba Budha Ji was appointed as the
first Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
• Now Sikhs had a Central religious place
and a Holy Granth. Amritsar Sahib
became a central religious place of
Sikhs.
• This created a separate religious
identity of Sikh’s from the Hindus and
the Muslims the other two major
religion in Indian land.

16. Sri Guru Granth Sahib: (Adi Granth)
• Principal Satbir Singh writes “Kaba and Kitab” (a central place of worship and
holy book) create & unite people of one faith. The compilation of Granth Sahib
and building Sri Harmandir Sahib by Guru Arjan Dev Ji gave Sikhs a distinct
identity.
• Haroon Khalid in “Walking with Nanak” says “compilation of Adi Granth,
construction of Harmandir Sahib were the biggest achievement of Guru Arjun
Dev Ji”. A system of Daswandh prevailing among Sikhs is the legacy from the
period of Guru Arjun ( Page 230).
• Dr Earnest Trumpp says “Sri Granth Sahib not only by its size and volume is the
biggest religious Granth in the world, it is a marvel of literature and draws no
parallel with any religious book”. He further said “Guru Arjun Dev ji removed all
barriers of High & Low caste and religious discrimination and included hymns of
Sikh Gurus, Seventeen Saints and Eleven Bhats in the Granth Sahib”.
• Mr Duncan Greenlees in his book – “Gospel of Guru Granth Sahib -1952
edition” wrote “among the World’s Holy Scripture if any, attain so high literary
level or so constantly give a height of inspiration, it is indeed Guru Grant Sahib.

17. Strengthened the “Masand” system
• Sri Guru Amardas Ji had appointed 22 Manji’s (preachers) at various
places across India to spread Guru Nanak’s message of universal
brotherhood. Guru Ram Das Ji appointed many more preachers to the
far flung places and now they were called Masand. They were
instrumental in expansion of Sikhism far and wide.
• Guru Arjun Dev Ji organized their activities in an efficient manner. Now
Masands were entrusted to collect Daswand (10th portion of earnings )
from the people for the development works.
Note: Bhai Khan Singh Nabha in Encyclopedia of Sikh Literature have stated that Masand were
responsible for Dharam Parchar and collect the Kar bheta (Daswandh or donation) and send it to Guru
sahib. This tradition continued from 4th to 10th Guru, when Guru `Gobind Singh abolished this tradition
as Masand had become corrupt and ordered not to deal with them.

18. Sacha Patshah
• Guru Arjun Dev Ji’s popularity grew among Sikhs, they began to call him "Sacha
Patshah". This made the orthodox Hindus and princely Muslim class more jealous.
Guru Ji’s growing influence among peasants, people from the lower caste and
other tribes was threatening to them.
• Sheikh Ahmed Sirhandi, Birbal and Chandu some courtiers of Akbar were highly
jealous of Guru Ji. They wanted to stop the growth of Sikhism through the Mughal
rulers. They complained to Akbar that the Granth prepared by Guru Arjun Dev Ji
contains a number of verse against Hindus and Muslims religious teachings.
• Akbar during one of his visit to Gurdaspur sent a word to understand the Bani
scripted in the Granth. Bhai Gurdas ji visited him with the Granth and explained its
teaching. Akbar was amazed to see the huge collection of Bani in the Granth which
was compiled in 30 Raga and every word was written in the praise of One God. The
Granth spoke good of all the prevailing religions. It also had warnings to the
preacher to do justice.
• He was highly impressed of the message in the Granth Sahib. During his remaining
rule all those detractors of Granth and Sikhism were not successful in their
mission.

19. Development works & social service
• Guru Arjun Dev’s model of “Self Governance” for the service to mankind
by creating Infrastructure without seeking any help or assistance from
the rulers was a unique one, It does not finds any parallel example in the
Indian History. As a result of this in a very short span of time (15 years)
construction of a large number of towns and other important works were
completed by the Guru Ji. Jobs were created for all and this resulted in
people living a decent and disciplined life.
• He founded new towns of Tarn Taran Sahib(1590), Kartarpur in Doaba
(1593) and Hargobindpur (1597). He also buid Baoli in Dabbi-Bazar of
Lahore (1599), big well for irrigation at Chheharta (1592), constructed
Santhokhsar Sarovar, Ramsar Sarovar and Gur Ka Bagh near Amritsar. A
distinct style of Sikh Architectural took a shape from his time which is
still followed.
• During the great famine on 1595, The city of Lahore was the worst
affected, Guru Ji spent 8 months there in the service of people. Nurool
Hasan a historian has recorded this event in the history.

20. Encouraged Manufacturing and Trading Skills
among followers
• Guru Ramdas Ji had built Amritsar Sahib, he had invited craftsman
engaged in 52 types of manufacturing crafts. They were the growth
engines of the development of city of Amritsar. They also provided
employment to many people.
• Guru Arjun Dev ji also had a vision to empower weak and poor to be
financially strong. He motivated his followers to take up trading as a
profession and encouraged them to travel to far off places in Central
Asia to sell product and on their return buy horses from Kabul and
other items which were not available in the Indian market.
• This simple act secured the economic base of Sikhs. In a very short
span of time Amritsar became an important trading center of north
India.

21. Akbar with Sikh Guru’s
• Akbar (AD 1556-1605) had paid a visit to 2nd Sikh Guru Amardas Ji
in 1571 AD and donated 500 bighas of land for langar.
• He also came to meet Guru Arjan Dev Ji at Govindwal on 2nd Nov
1598. He listened to the Keertan and had langar from Guru’s
kitchen like an ordinary person visiting Guru Ji. He was moved by
the simplicity of life of a Sikh, he offered to give Land for the
development works of the place, His offer was politely declined
by Guru Ji as he said that “all the developmental works for people
will continue with the contribution of sangat”. However, Guru Ji
asked Akbar to reduce tax on agricultural produce as that time
North India was facing one of the worst famine and farmers were
stressed, they were unable to pay the taxes. On this Akbar
immediately ordered waiver of tax for one year and reduced it to
1/6th portion for the coming years.

22. Jahangir ascended to the throne
• After the death of Akbar in 1605 AD, Muslim
clergy helped Jahangir to be crowned as King.
• In turn for their help, Jahangir was committed
to reinstate the “Shariyat” (Orthodox Muslim
Law) in the country.
• During his entire rule of 22 years, he remained
under the influence of Muslim clergies and
Hindu orthodox people in Darbar.

23. Under the influence of Hindu and Muslim
fundamentalist’s
• Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists were successful to influence
Jahangir against Guru Arjan Dev Ji. They told him that a new
religion is taking a definite shape under Guru as he has now a
magnificent central place of Worship and a holy Granth.
• They were worried about Guru’s growing influence in the region,
specially from the neglected and poor from the society.
• The development of new Towns etc. without the help of state also
irked them and this was considered as a direct challenge to the
Mughal empire.
• Jahangir became jealous of Guru’s increasing influence and ,
propagation of Sikhism in India. Jahangir decided to stop this
development in North India as this could pose a bigger problems to
his expansionist plan in India. He himself wrote this in his diary
“Tajuke Jahagiri”.

24. Arrest and Martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev Ji
• The anger against Guru Ji culminated in Jahangir’s order to arrest Guru
Arjan Dev Ji on 22nd May 1606 at Lahore. He was charge-sheeted and
implicated in false cases. Jehangir ordered his execution under the law
of “Yasa” (the merciless punishment) and proceeded to Peshawar.
• Guru Ji came to know of Jahangir’s order, He declared his son
Hargobind Ji to be the next Guru. He reached Lahore on 26th May to
give his arrest where he was arrested.
• The Governor of Lahore Murtja Khan through Diwan Chandu tortured
Guru Ji for five days in a manner unknown in the history of mankind.
• During the last stage of the torturing period, Guru Ji was made to sit on
hot iron plates and burning sand was poured over his body. When his
body was blistered, he was chained and thrown into the river Ravi.
• Thus Guru Sahib embraced martyrdom on 30 May 1606 in Lahore.

25. Extract from Jehangir’s diary “Tujeke Jahangiri”
(Chapter 5, srl 137-139)
• Six days after the execution on 6th June 1606, Jahangir wrote in his
diary that “In Goindwal, which is on the river Biyãh (Beas), there
was a Hindu named Arjun, in the name of sainthood and sanctity
he has captured many of the simple-hearted Hindus, and even the
ignorant and foolish followers of Islam, by his ways and manners,
and they had loudly sounded the drum of his holiness”.
• They called him Guru, and from all sides stupid people crowded to
worship and manifest complete faith in him. For three or four
generations (of spiritual successors) they had kept this shop warm.
Many times it occurred to me to put a stop to this vain affair or to
bring him into the assembly of the people of Islam.
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26. Sri Guru Arjun Dev ji’s Martyrdom
(May 30, 1606)

27. Sri Guru Arjun Dev ji’s Martyrdom (May 30, 1606)

28. Martyrdom of Guru Sahib
• Guru Arjun dev ji before leaving for his martyrdom had declared his
son Guru Hargobind Ji as 6th Sikh Guru and ordered him to support
two swords (Miri & Piri) to shield the religion and people from
atrocities.
• While the philosophy and principals laid by Guru Nanak Dev ji
remained focused in the mind of Sikhs, the assassination of the
Guru was the “Karbala” of Sikh history. It had a huge impact on the
psyche of the Sikh community and precipitated the development of
the Khalsa. It justified militarisation of Sikhs. The Sikhs were now
ready for martyrdom for the sake of their Guru and religion.

29. Guru Arjun Dev ji by historians.
• Historian Gokul Chand Narang wrote “Now people had one complete person
who was born poet, true philosopher, strong leader and a statesman”.
• Historian Mohd Latif writes “He was highly motivated and had strong will to
come over odds; His aim was very high to unite and lead Sikhs in their pursuit of
life as per the will of God”.
• Dr Earnest Trumpp and others have described this incident as turning point in
the Sikh history.
• Sadhu TL Vasvani (1879-1966) said martyrdom of Guru Arjun gave a solid
foundation to the Sikhism and from this time onwards transformation of Sikhs
from Saints to Saint & Soldier began.
• When we read about the rise and fall of Mughal empire’s which coincided with
the rise of Sikhism as a new religion of the world then only we understand why a
Sikh of Guru Nanak became a Sant & Sipahi and why Khalsa was created by Guru
Gobind Singh ji in 1699. The Mughal rule was decimated by the rising Sikh power
under Baba Banda Singh Bahadar who established First Sikh raj from 1710-16.
• Let’s pay our respect to Sikh Guru’s and all those who sacrificed their lifes for
the glory of Sikhism.

30. Distortion of History
• Some historians* either did not interpret the judgment to execute
Guru correctly or were under the influenced by Mughal rule gave
more emphasis to the trivial issues such as Guru Ji refusing to
marry his son (Guru) Hargobind Ji to the daughter of Chandu,
complaints of Prithi Chand in Mughal darbar against Guru Arjun
Dev and a fabricated story of Khusro’s visit to Guru Arjan Dev Ji at
Govindwal after he revolted against his father Jagangir and was on
the run towards Lahore.
• Principal Satbir Singh has amply clarified that Muhsan Fani * and
Jadunath Sarkar* both historians have written their version by just
taking incidents of a small period of time which is incorrect record
of reason for Guru Arjun Dev Ji executed under the law of Yasa.
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31. References:
1. Gur Itihas (Patshasi 2-9) – Prof Sahib Singh
2. Sikh Itihas – Prof Kartar Singh MA
3. Our History – Principal Satbir Singh
4. Walking with Nanak – Haroon Khalid
5. Gurmat Prakash ( July 2008, June 2010, April 2014), Missionary Sedhan-June 2022.
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