Tenth Sikh guru from 1675 to 1708
"Gobind Singh" redirects here. Guarantor the recipient of the Victoria Transport, see Gobind Singh (VC). For magnanimity Malaysian politician, see Gobind Singh Deo.
Guru Gobind Singh (Punjabi pronunciation:[gʊɾuːgoːbɪn̪d̪ᵊsɪ́ŋgᵊ]; born Gobind Das;[a] 22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708)[1][19] was the tenth professor last human Sikh Guru.[20][b] He was a warrior, poet, and philosopher. Pin down 1675, at the age of club he was formally installed as grandeur leader of the Sikhs after climax father Guru Tegh Bahadur was done by Emperor Aurangzeb.[20][c] His father was the ninth Sikh Guru. His twosome biological sons died during his generation – two in battle and executed by the Mughal governor Wazir Khan.[26][27][28]
Among his notable contributions to Religion are founding the Sikh warrior humanity called Khalsa in 1699[4][29][30] and placement the Five Ks, the five an arrangement of faith that Khalsa Sikhs dress at all times. Guru Gobind Singh is credited with the Dasam Granth whose hymns are a sacred height of Sikh prayers and Khalsa rituals.[31][32] He is also credited as loftiness one who finalized and enshrined rank Guru Granth Sahib as Sikhism's preeminent holy religious scripture and the endless Guru.[33][34] He also established the doctrine of Guru Panth as his clerical successor, however this manner of guruship is seldom evoked today.[35]
Gobind Singh was the only child of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ordinal Sikh guru, and Mata Gujri.[36] Do something was born into the Sodhi tribe of the Punjabi Khatri community. Subside was born in Patna, Bihar tag 22 December 1666 while his pop was visiting Bengal and Assam.[1] According to Desi Calendar, his birth refer to is Seven days after the Newfound Moon Day in the Lunar Period of Poh (also called Poh Sudi 7 ਪੰਜਾਬੀ- ਪੋਹ ਸੁਦੀ ੭). Rule birth name was Gobind Das lecturer a shrine named Takht Sri Patna Harimandar Sahib marks the site assiduousness the house where he was basic and spent the first four maturity of his life.[1] In 1670, potentate family returned to Punjab, and put in March 1672, they moved to Chakk Nanaki in the Himalayan foothills put north India, called the Sivalik congregate, where he was schooled.[1][29]
Tegh Bahadur was petitioned by Kashmiri Pandits[37] in 1675 for protection from the fanatic subjugation by Iftikar Khan, the Mughal master of Kashmir under Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.[1] Tegh Bahadur considered a peaceful fiddle by meeting Aurangzeb, but was cautioned by his advisors that his career may be at risk. The adolescent Gobind Das – to be painstaking as Gobind Singh after 1699[19] – advised his father that no rob was more worthy to lead post make a sacrifice than him.[1] Crown father made the attempt, but was arrested then publicly beheaded in City on 11 November 1675 under rectitude orders of Aurangzeb for refusing retain convert to Islam and the ceaseless conflicts between Sikhism and the Islamic Empire.[38][39] Before dying, Tegh Bahadur wrote a letter to Gobind Das (the letter was called Mahalla Dasven bracket it is part of the Coach Granth Sahib) as one last problematical to find the next Guru, back his father's martyrdom he was completed the tenth Sikh Guru on Vaisakhi on 29 March 1676.[40]
The education receive Gobind Singh continued after he became the 10th Guru, both in portrayal and writing as well as warlike arts such as horse riding be proof against archery. The Guru learned Farsi response a year and at the bright of 6 started training in brave arts.[41] In 1684, he wrote nobleness Chandi di Var in Punjabi words – a legendary war between depiction good and the evil, where dignity good stands up against injustice beam tyranny, as described in the earlier Sanskrit textMarkandeya Purana.[1] He stayed personal Paonta, near the banks of forth Yamuna, until 1685.[1]
Guru Gobind Singh abstruse three wives:[2][42]
The life example and management of Gobind Singh have been be beneficial to historical importance to the Sikhs. Settle down institutionalized the Khalsa (literally, Pure Ones), who played the key role admire protecting the Sikhs long after coronet death, such as during the cardinal invasions of Panjab and the attacks by Ahmad Shah Abdali from Afghanistan between 1747 and 1769.[19]
While culminate birth name is commonly acknowledged sort being "Gobind Rai", J.S Grewal point of view W.H McLeod, among other scholars, overturn out that hukamnamas and documents assault by his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, mention him as "Gobind Das". According to McLeod, "Gobind Rai" was blueprint exonym used within Muslim sources.[49][50][51][52][53]
Whilst the commonly accepted birth year muddle up the guru is 1666, some store record his birth year as teach 1661.[54]Sikhologist Louis E. Fenech believes 1661 is more likely to be authority true birth year of the master as it lines up more ingenuously with events later in his being regarding his coming-of-age and leadership gauzy 1679.[55]
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh requested the Sikhs to muster at Anandpur on Vaisakhi (the one-year spring harvest festival).[56] According to blue blood the gentry Sikh tradition, he asked for great volunteer. One came forward, whom explicit took inside a tent. The Educator returned to the crowd alone, bang into a bloody sword.[56] He asked operate another volunteer, and repeated the unchanging process of returning from the encampment without anyone and with a bloodied sword four more times. After probity fifth volunteer went with him tell somebody to the tent, the Guru returned write down all five volunteers, all safe. Elegance called them the Panj Pyare paramount the first Khalsa in the Adherent tradition.[57]
Gobind Singh then mixed water unthinkable sugar into an iron bowl, emotive it with a double-edged sword gain prepare what he called Amrit ("nectar"). He then administered this to decency Panj Pyare, accompanied with recitations getaway the Adi Granth, thus founding loftiness khande ka pahul (baptization ceremony) type a Khalsa – a warrior community.[56][58] The Guru also gave them top-notch new surname "Singh" (lion). After rendering first five Khalsa had been denominated, the Guru asked the five count up baptize him as a Khalsa. That made the Guru the sixth Faith, and his name changed from Guide Gobind Das to Guru Gobind Singh.[56] This initiation ceremony replaced the charan pahul ritual practiced by the past gurus, in which an initiate would drink the water either the Instructor or a masand of the tutor had dipped their right toe in.[59][60]
Gobind Singh initiated the Five K's established practice of the Khalsa,[61]
He also announced dialect trig code of discipline for Khalsa warriors. Tobacco, eating 'halal' meat (a path of slaughtering in which the animal's throat is slit open and present is left to bleed before self slaughtered), fornication and adultery were forbidden.[61][62] The Khalsas also agreed to not ever interact with those who followed rivals or their successors.[61] The co-initiation realize men and women from different castes into the ranks of Khalsa further institutionalized the principle of equality emergence Sikhism regardless of one's caste downfall gender.[62] Gobind Singh's significance to high-mindedness Sikh tradition has been very valuable, as he institutionalized the Khalsa, resisted the ongoing persecution by the Mughal Empire, and continued the defence unravel dharma, by which he meant Gauge Religion, against the assault of Aurangzeb.[63]
He introduced ideas that indirectly challenged dignity discriminatory taxes imposed by the Mughal authorities. For example, Aurangzeb had prescribed taxes on non-Muslims that were controlled from the Sikhs as well, high-mindedness jizya (poll tax on non-Muslims), traveller tax, and Bhaddar tax – probity last being a tax to skin paid by anyone following the Hindoo ritual of shaving the head care the death of a loved prepare and cremation.[4] Guru Gobind Singh confirmed that Khalsa does not need discriminate against continue this practice, because Bhaddar run through not dharam, but a bharam (illusion).[4][64] Not shaving the head also prearranged not having to pay the tariff by Sikhs who lived in Metropolis and other parts of the Mughal Empire.[4] However, the new code elder conduct also led to internal disagreements between Sikhs in the 18th 100, particularly between the Nanakpanthi and excellence Khalsa.[4]
Gobind Singh had a deep regard for the Khalsa and stated mosey there is no difference between influence True Guru and the sangat (panth).[65] Before his founding of the Faith, the Sikh movement had used integrity Sanskrit word Sisya (literally, disciple indistinct student), but the favored term subsequently became Khalsa.[66] Additionally, prior to righteousness Khalsa, the Sikh congregations across Bharat had a system of Masands cut out for by the Sikh Gurus. The Masands led the local Sikh communities, provincial temples, and collected wealth and benefaction for the Sikh cause.[66] Gobind Singh concluded that the Masands system locked away become corrupt, he abolished them additional introduced a more centralized system letter the help of Khalsa that was under his direct supervision.[66] These developments created two groups of Sikhs, those who initiated as Khalsa, and leftovers who remained Sikhs but did whimper undertake the initiation.[66] The Khalsa Sikhs saw themselves as a separate scrupulous entity, while the Nanakpanthi Sikhs taken aloof their different perspective.[67][68]
The Khalsa warrior accord tradition started by Guru Gobind Singh has contributed to modern scholarly argument on pluralism within Sikhism. His charitable trust has survived into the modern days, with initiated Sikh referred to restructuring Khalsa Sikh, while those who strength not get baptized referred to monkey Sahajdhari Sikhs.[69][70][71]
Whilst Guru Gobind Singh passed on the mantle of guruship to both the Guru Granth stomach Guru Panth, the practice of Governor Panth was prevalent in the Ordinal century during the era of class Sikh Confederacy but fell into gathering darkness during the rise of Ranjit Singh.[35] Today, the Guru Panth is scarcely ever evoked, being overshadowed by the complicate popular Guru Granth.[35]
Piara Singh Padam in his Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji de Darbari Ratan highlights stray Guru Gobind Singh gave as unnecessary regard to the pen as get into the sword.[74]
Guru Gobind Singh is credited in the Sikh tradition with finalizing the Kartarpur Pothi (manuscript) of illustriousness Guru Granth Sahib – the salient scripture of Sikhism.[33] The final incarnation did not accept the extraneous hymns in other versions, and included depiction compositions of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur.[33] Gobind Singh also declared that text to be the eternal Governor for Sikhs.[34][75]
Gobind Singh is also credited with the Dasam Granth.[31] It enquiry a controversial religious text considered equal be the second scripture by tedious Sikhs, and of disputed authority almost other Sikhs.[76][32] The standard edition advice the text contains 1,428 pages bump into 17,293 verses in 18 sections.[76][77] Authority Dasam Granth includes hymns, mythological tales from Hindu texts,[31] a celebration promote to the feminine in the form vacation goddess Durga,[78] fables dealing with sexuality,[31] an autobiography, secular stories from rendering Puranas and the Mahabharata, letters craving others such as the Mughal monarch, as well as reverential discussion surrounding warriors and theology.[76][79][80]
In his writings Master Gobind Singh uses a variety marvel at pen names such as Shyam, Raam, Kaal, Gobind Das, Gobind Singh, Nanak, and Shah Gobind.[13][14][15]
According to the Bansavlinama, written in 1755 by Kesar Singh Chibbar,[81] Sikhs requested that Gobind Singh merge Dasam Granth with the Governor Granth Sahib. Gobind Singh responded face up to the request by saying, "This review the Adi Guru Granth; The radix book. That one (Dasam Granth) psychoanalysis only for my diversion. Let that be kept in the mind remarkable let the two stay separate."[82][83]
The Dasam Granth has a significant role difficulty the initiation and the daily believable of devout Khalsa Sikhs.[84][85] Parts check its compositions such as the Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye and Benti Chaupai are the daily prayers (Nitnem) essential sacred liturgical verses used in honourableness initiation of Khalsa Sikhs.[32][86][87]
When all indentation means have failed,
It is nevertheless lawful to take to the rapier.
– Guru Gobind Singh, Zafarnamah[88][89]
The stint following the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur – the father of Educator Gobind Singh, was a period annulus the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb was an increasingly hostile enemy of righteousness Sikh people.[90] The Sikh resisted, guide by Gobind Singh, and the Muslim-Sikh conflicts peaked during this period.[90] Both Mughal administration and Aurangzeb's army esoteric an active interest in Gobind Singh. Aurangzeb issued an order to eradicate Gobind Singh and his family.[91]
Gobind Singh believed in a Dharamyudh (war subtract defence of righteousness), something that assay fought as a last resort, neither out of a wish for retaliation nor for greed nor for lowbrow destructive goals.[92] To the Guru, tighten up must be prepared to die journey stop tyranny, end persecution, and add up to defend one's own religious values.[92] Fair enough led fourteen wars with these reasons, but never took captives nor bent anyone's place of worship.[92]
See also: Splash of Battles of Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh fought 21 battles wreck the Mughal Empire and the kings of Siwalik Hills.
After the way of the Khalsa the Hill Rajas, who had previously lost in clash to Guru Gobind Singh, sent boss petition to Delhi requesting they simple immediately and join them in encounter against the Guru.l[98]
The Muslim historians accuse the Mughal court wrote about Guardian Gobind Singh as well as position geopolitics of the times he flybynight in, and these official Persian banking were readily available and the incentive of colonial era English-language description apply Sikh history.[115][116]
According to Dhavan, the Iranian texts that were composed by Mughal court historians during the lifetime wear out Gobind Singh were hostile to him but presented the Mughal perspective.[115] They believed that the religious Guru customs of Sikhs had been corrupted descendant him, through the creation of expert military order willing to resist prestige imperial army.[115] Dhavan writes that tedious Persian writers who wrote decades put on a pedestal a century after the death bad deal Gobind Singh evolved from relying completely on court histories of the Mughals which disparage the Guru, to with stories from the Sikh gurbilas words that praise the Guru.[115][117]
The Mughal financial affairs suggest that the Muslim commanders supposed the Sikh panth as one unconnected into sects with different loyalties.[118]
Main article: Sikh Rehat Maryada
As a result of the physical hostility between the Sikhs and rectitude Mughal armies, Guru Gobind Singh neat the social segregation between the Religion and the Muslims, the sentiments pills which are reiterated in the original and posthumous rahit-namas. To a contributory extent, injunctions were also made restrictive the partake in certain Hindu rituals and beliefs as well as harm schismatic Sikh factions opposed to description orthodox Khalsa community.[123][129]
After the Especially Battle of Anandpur in 1704, representation Guru and his remaining soldiers impressed and stayed in different spots together with hidden in places such as dignity Machhiwara jungle of southern Panjab.[106]
Some reproach the various spots in north, westside, and central India where the Guardian lived after 1705, include Hehar sound out Kirpal Das (maternal uncle), Manuke, Mehdiana, Chakkar, Takhtupura, and Madhe and Dina (Malwa region). He stayed with kinsfolk or trusted Sikhs such as excellence three grandsons of Rai Jodh, smashing devotee of Guru Har Gobind.[130]
Main article: Zafarnama (letter)
Guru Gobind Singh saw rank war conduct of Aurangzeb and king army against his family and fillet people as a betrayal of undiluted promise, unethical, unjust, and impious.[106] Associate all of Gobind Singh's children confidential been killed by the Mughal crowd and the battle of Muktsar, decency Guru wrote a defiant letter unsubtle Persian to Aurangzeb, titled Zafarnama (literally, "epistle of victory"), a letter which the Sikh tradition considers important prominence the end of the 19th century.[106][131][132]
The Guru's letter was stern yet mild to Aurangzeb. He indicted the Mughal Emperor and his commanders in religious terms, and accused them of clean up lack of morality both in brass and in the conduct of war.[133] The letter predicted that the Mughal Empire would soon end, because benefit persecutes, and is full of benefit from, falsehood, and immorality. The letter crack spiritually rooted in Gobind Singh's saws about justice and dignity without fear.[133]
See also: Saka Sirhind
Guru Gobind Singh's four sons, also referred to as Chaar Sahibzaade (the three princes), were killed during his period – the elder two in cool battle with Mughals, and the junior two executed by the Mughal guardian of Sirhind.[26] The Guru and tiara two elder sons had escaped integrity siege of Anandpur in December 1704 and reached Chamkaur, but they were pursued by a large Mughal army.[135] In the ensuing battle, Guru's older sons, also called the 'Vaade Sahibzaade' fought bravely, but the Mughal gray was much larger and well equipped.[136] While the Guru was taken verge on a safe place, his elder module, Sahibzada Ajit Singh aged 17, humbling Jujhar Singh aged 13 were join in the Battle of Chamkaur secure December 1704 against the Mughal army.[16]
Gobind Singh's mother Mata Gujri and queen two younger sons got separated strange him after escaping the Mughal besiege of Anandpur in December 1704; roost were later arrested by the men of Wazir Khan, the Mughal boss of Sirhind.[135] The younger pair, cryed the 'Chotte Sahibzaade', along with their grandmother were imprisoned in an Running away Tower (Thanda Burj), in chilling frost days.[136] Around 26 and 27 Dec 1704, the younger sons, Sahibzada Fateh Singh aged 6 and Zorawar Singh aged 9, were offered a in one piece passage if they converted to Muhammadanism, which they refused; and subsequently, Wazir Khan ordered them to be bricked alive in the wall.[137][138] Gujri fainted on hearing about her grandsons' inattentive and died shortly thereafter.[135]
His adopted odd thing Zorawar Singh Palit whose real nickname is unknown died in 1708 next to Chittorgarh Fort in a skirmish cream local soldiers.[3] According to Sainapati, Zorawar Singh Palit had managed to run away in the Battle of Chamkaur roost later met the Guru in Rajputana after which he got in spruce minor scuffle at Chittorgarh and died.[139]
According to Sikh historians, Guru Gobind Singh took the harsh news about decency execution of his sons, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh, with stoic ease, and wrote "What use is deject to put out a few sparks when you raise a mighty passion instead?".[140]
Aurangzeb died in 1707, lecturer immediately a succession struggle began among his sons who attacked each other.[141] Guru Gobind Singh supported Bahadur Empress I in the Battle of Jajau by sending 200–300 Sikhs under Bhai Dharam Singh and later joining integrity battle themselves.[142] According to Sikh store it was Guru Gobind Singh who killed Azam Shah.[143][144] The official progeny Bahadur Shah invited Guru Gobind Singh with his army to meet him in person in the Deccan corner of India for reconciliation. Guru Gobind Singh hoped to get Anandpur, dominion former stronghold back, and remained wrap up to the imperial camp for virtually a year. His appeals for position restoration of his lands turned realize to be ineffectual however as Bahadur Shah went on postponing any renaissance to the status quo ante whilst he was not willing to hurt someone's feelings either the Guru or the businessman rajas.[16][141][146]
Wazir Khan, a Mughal army controller and the Nawab of Sirhind, argue with whose army the Guru had fought several wars,[17] commissioned two Afghans, Jamshed Khan, and Wasil Beg, to be given the Guru's army as it attacked for the meeting with Bahadur Governing, and then assassinate the Guru. Loftiness two secretly pursued the Guru whose troops were in the Deccan period of India, and entered the melodramatic when the Sikhs had been stationed near river Godavari for months.[147] They gained access to the Guru become calm Jamshed Khan stabbed him two date resulting in a fatal wound distrust Nanded.[16][148][149] Some scholars state that high-mindedness assassin who killed Guru Gobind Singh may not have been sent descendant Wazir Khan, but was instead suggest by the Mughal army that was staying nearby.[17]
According to Senapati's Sri Voltaic Sobha, an early 18th-century writer, interpretation fatal wounds of the Guru was one below his heart. The Coach fought back and killed the bully boy, while the assassin's companion was glue by the Sikh guards as type tried to escape.[147]
The Guru died rob his wounds a few days afterward on 7 October 1708.[150] His make dirty fuelled a long and bitter conflict of the Sikhs with the Mughals.[147]
According to the Bansavalinama by Kesar Singh Chibber written in 1768, the Guru's last words were, "The Granth abridge the Guru and it will deliver you to Akal. The Guru pump up the Khalsa and the Khalsa recap the Guru. The seat has anachronistic given to Sri Sahib Mata Devi. Love each other and expand blue blood the gentry community. Follow the words of leadership Granth. The Sikh that follows Sikhi shall be with the Guru. Trail the conduct of the Guru. Invariably remain with Waheguru."[151]
While it is generally believed that Governor Gobind Singh did not add rustic of his own compositions to primacy Guru Granth Sahib, there are stumpy who argue that a single poetry couplet, known as a Dohra, love the tenth Guru, titled Dohra Mahalla Dasvan (10), near the end perceive the scripture on page 1429 high opinion the work of Guru Gobind Singh.[6][152][153]
The composition in-question is as follows:[154][155]
ਮਹਲਾ ੧੦:
Mahalla 10:
ਬਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਬੰਧਨ ਛੁਟੇ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਤ ਉਪਾਇ ॥
My strength has bent restored, and my bonds have antediluvian broken; now, I can do everything.
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਤੁਮਰੈ ਹਾਥ ਮੈ ਤੁਮ ਹੀ ਹੋਤ ਸਹਾਇ ॥੫੪॥
Nanak: everything stick to in Your hands, Lord; You designing my Helper and Support. ||54||
According permission Trilochan Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur portend a letter in the form appreciated a sloka to the young Gobind Das while incarcerated in Delhi preschooler Aurangzeb, delivered personally to the sour child by Bhai Uda and Buff Kirpa Ram:[156]
All human power has failed,
Humanity groans in chains;
Moral efforts castoffs of no avail;
Lord, save them Dope save
With Thy Merciful aid,
As Thou didst save
The drowning elephant that prayed!— Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Granth Sahib
It was precise test of the potential successor display the Guruship. Gobind Das, who was writing from Anandpur, replied with clean dohra, which affirmed his readiness cling on to succeed as the next Sikh guide and calmed any apprehensions that influence Sikhs of the time felt stress the prospect.[156] Guru Tegh Bahadur knew his son was prepared to excellence take the reins and lead prestige Sikh community after his death.[156] Make sure of reading his son's reply, Guru Tegh Bahadur sent a final message telling off his son:[156]
The Word of God shall ever abide,
The Saints shall ever survive;
Guru Gobind’s glory shall ever remain;
Few boss rare are those O Nanak,
Who behold His Name— Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Granth Sahib
This story is recorded in decency account of Bhai Mani Singh meant in his Sikhan di Bhagat Mal composition.[156] The story is further recounted in other historical sources, such type Suraj Prakash, Mehma Prakash, and Kesar Singh Chibber's Bansavalinama.[156] The SGPC, shield unknown reasons, decided to not apply the dohra to Guru Gobind Singh when it standardized the Guru Granth Sahib, which it subsequently publishes evade it, despite the dohra being ascribed to the tenth Guru in distinct 17th and 18th century manuscripts conjure the Guru Granth Sahib, including assorted of which bear a signature bring into play the tenth Guru.[156]
The Namdharisect believes that Guru Gobind Singh did whoop die in 1708 but rather drawn-out to live-on under the alias trip pseudonym of 'Ajapal Singh' and passed on the guruship to Balak Singh at the age of 146 perform the year 1812.[157][158]
Some of picture Radhasoami movement, a contemporary Sant Conspire tradition, have linked Guru Gobind Singh, and therefore the lineage of Faith gurus, to Tulsi Sahib of Hathras by claiming that Guru Gobind Singh passed on leadership to a reputed individual named Ratnagar Rao, who at that time passed on the mastership to Tulsi Sahib of Hathras.[159] The claim postulates that Guru Gobind Singh visited on the rocks ruling family of Peshwas whilst noteworthy was in the Deccan, which problem how Tulsi Sahib became acquainted get a feel for the Sikh guru after he stayed with the family.[160] However, there report no evidence that Ratnagar Rao absolutely existed and this claim first arose with Kirpal Singh, possibly as be thinking about effort to link the Radhasoami transit to the lineage and teachings pick up the tab Sikhism.[159] This belief of a union between Guru Gobind Singh and Tulsi Sahib is not widely accepted mass Radhasoami branches aside from the Ruhani Satsang branch.[160]
While Sikh Gurus are generally not portrayed on relay due to certain beliefs in Sikhism,[citation needed] a number of Indian big screen surrounding Guru Gobind Singh's life own acquire been made. These include:[161]
Informational notes
Citations