Guru Arjan Dev ji

The Fifth Guru,he played a prominent role in the spread of Sikhism.

1. Guru Arjan Dev Ji Dr. Monica Sharma

2. Early Life He was born in Goindval , Punjab. He was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani , the daughter of Guru Amar Das. His oldest brother,  Prithi Chand  was very astute in social and worldly affairs. He was noted for his diligent management of all the affairs of the Guru’s household, including the running of the langar (communal kitchen). he second son, Mahadeve was captivated with reclusive tendencies. He wanted to lead the life of an ascetic. His attitude, full of fierce interactions towards the congregants, was contrary to the modesty of the Guru’s teachings. Moreover, he himself displayed no inclination for the acceptance of the Guruship . Guru Arjan Dev was married to  Mata Ganga  ji on  19 June   1589

3. The main highlights of Guru Ji's life Compiled and collated the Hymns of the previous Sikh Gurus as the foundation of the Guru Granth Sahib. Additionally Guru Ji contributed a total of 2218 hymns to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Authored the Sukhmani Sahib Bani – Prayer for Peace Installed for the first time the holy Sikh Book, which at that time was called the Adi Granth , a major achievement. Built the Golden Temple Developed Amritsar as a Centre of Excellence. Enhanced the Structure of Sikh Society by introducing the Masund system. Guru Arjan Dev was the first Sikh Guru to be martyred. See Martyrdom of Guru Arjan. Guru Ji is revered as Shaheedan -De- Sartaaj , or the Crown of Martyrs.

4. Completion of Harmandir Sahib Guru Arjan Dev Ji set upon a mission of putting it on a solid footing. As ordained by his predecessors,  Guru Nanak  through  Guru Ram Das Ji, he took the task of the completion of the place where his father had constructed a clay tank of Nectar. In the true spirit of “I am neither Hindu, nor Muslim...” Guru Arjan Dev Ji invited Mian Mir, a Muslim Saint from Lahore to lay the cornerstone of the foundation of the Harmandar , the present Golden Temple. The doors on all four sides of the building signified its acceptance of all the four castes and every Religion. Contrary to the requests of the congregation, the floor of the Harmandar Saheb was kept lower than the surrounding area; as the water flows downward so would the seekers of God’s blessings. Along with God’s House came the existence of the City of  Amritsar  with all its reverence, amenities, and gaiety

5. The completion of the Adi Granth Guru Arjan Dev expanded the Sikh scripture written by the previous Gurus and placed a copy of the Adi Granth in the completed Harimandir Sahib temple on August 16, 1604, and appointed Baba Buddha as the first Granthi . He also contributed more than 2,000 hymns himself, which was more than a third and the largest collection of hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib. He was also the author of the well known Sukhmani Sahib Bani. Unfortunately the Hymns and teachings of the first four Gurus were being added to and even distorted by impostors. Seeing such things going on Guru Arjan wanted to preserve these original treasures. Not only fixing the path of the efforts of his predecessors, but also bestowing, on the Panth , an ever-lasting guiding light that was to serve as both a physical and spiritual phenomenon. And most of all he wanted to establish the credibility of the Sikh Religion as a casteless and secular society. Laced among the Hymns of the earlier Gurus he added his own compositions as well as, the celestial utterances of Sheikh  Farid  and Bhagat  Kabir , Bhagat Ravi Das, Dhanna Namdev , Ramannand , Jai Dev, Trilochan , Beni, Pipa and Surdas . All of whom belong to different times, beliefs, sects, and Castes from high and low.

6. The Masand system strengthened Guru Ram Das  introduced the institution of Masands (representative of the Gurus at far flung places) along with the principle  Dasvand  of a Tenth of an individual's income payable for the Guru’s  Langar  (Common Kitchen) and for other acts of benevolence on behalf of the poor. In  Guru Angad 's days the professional bards,  Satta and Balwand , who sang the hymns at the Guru’s Darbar had started to believe that their excellence as musicians and singers was responsible for their Guru's popularity. With his love for music and expertise in the  Ragas , Guru Arjan Dev Ji introduced the tradition of singing by the congregants themselves to avoid such egoism

7. Growth of Sikhism A vast number of the Punjabi tribes such as Khatri, Jatt , Rajput, Tarkhan, Chamar, Arora, Kamboja , Saini, etc converted to Sikhism, mainly from  Hinduism  and a few also from  Islam . for the first time the new Sikh religion, had became the prominent popular religion of medieval Punjab. During his period he founded many villages, towns and cities and constructed numerous wells in the Punjab region. Sikhism was fast becoming a popular and majority religion in Majha , Doaba , Malva, Nakka , regions of Punjab. Peace and prosperity was once gain returning to this region. Although the masses living in Punjab were happy with this development, the Mughal leaders in Delhi were perturbed.

8. The popularity and wrong rumours create hatred Increasing popularity of Guru Arjan caused jealousy and grave concern among the strict and fundamentalist Muslims at the Mughal court in Delhi. This was further heightened by the malicious manipulations of Chandu Shah , an influential Hindu banker and revenue official at the Emperor's Court at Lahore. He had once been advised to arrange a marriage of his daughter with Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s only son, Hargobind , but because of his contempt for the Guru, he laughed at such a suggestion using harsh words that eventually were repeated to the Guru. Later when Chandu saw the wisdom of the match his family priest had suggested and had an offer of the union sent to Guru ji, the Guru aware of his attitude and contempt rejected the marriage. "In

9. Help to Khusrau Immediately after the death of Akbar, the Muslim clergy captured the thought of Prince Saleem and helped him to regain the throne as Emperor Jahangir. He was assisted with the understanding on the agreement that he would reinstate the Shariyat (Orthodox Muslim Law) in the country when he became Emperor. Akbar’s grandson, Khusro was a pious man who was as liberal as his grandfather. Akbar had designated him next in line to head the kingdom. But the domination of Muslim clergy made it necessary that he had to run for his life. While passing through Punjab he visited Guru Arjan Dev Ji at Tarn Taran and sought his blessings.

10. Prince Khusrau Prince Khusrau was the second child and eldest son of Jahangir from his Rajput wife Man Bai. He was born on 6th August, A.D. 1587. He was a handsome youth of sharp intellect. Terry writes about him, “He was gentleman of a very lovely presence and fine carriage and was exceedingly loved by the common people.” As Khusrau was the nephew of Raja Man Singh and son-in-law of Mirza Aziz Koka, the two notable grandees of Akbar’s court, he had become a serious candidate for the throne of Akbar. Seeing the irresponsible activities of Salim some of the courtiers, noble and relatives wanted to enthrone Khusrau in place of Jahangir after the death of Akbar.

11. Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi Negative forces act against the Guru Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi was very much revered by Muslims. He presented himself to be Islam's Prophet of the second millennium; the first millennium belonging to Prophet Muhammad. He asserted that his status was higher than the Sikh Gurus. This was emphatically rejected by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Sheikh Ahmad had great influence on Jehangir. Citing the Guru’s blessings bestowed upon Prince Khusro he instigated the Emperor against Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Jehangir wrote in his biography: "A Hindu named Arjan lived at Goindwal ...simple minded Hindus and ignorant and foolish Muslims have been persuaded to adopt his ways... this business has been flourishing for three generations. For a long time it had been in my mind to put a stop to this affair or to bring him into the fold of Islam...”

12. False accusations Khusro was ‘captured and blinded in punishment’. Thereafter ‘Jehangir summoned Guru Arjan Dev Ji to Lahore’. With preconceived ideas, Jehangir showed dissatisfaction with the Guru’s explanation of Khusro’s shelter. He labelled the Guru as a party to rebellion and ‘wanted to punish him with death’. But on the recommendation of Pir Mian Mir he commuted his sentence to a fine of two lakh rupees’ plus ‘an order to erase a few verses’ from the Granth Sahib . Guru Arjan Dev Ji refused to accept. The Sikhs of Lahore wanted to pay off the fine but the Guru flatly refused any attempt to pay an unjust fine.

13. Torture The Guru was imprisoned and excessively tortured. His body was exposed in the scorching heat of May-June sun. He was made to sit on the red-hot sand, and boiling hot water was poured on his naked body. Pir Mian Mir approached him and offered to intercede on his behalf. Some say that he even offered to demolish the whole city of Lahore with his ecclesiastic power in punishment, but the Guru refused his help holding that all that was happening was by God's will,