• Guru Arjan dev was martyred as per the orders of Emperor Jahangir on 30 May 1606
• Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh guru of sikhism after his father and the fourth Sikh Guru Ramdas
• Guru Arjan dev complied the holy scripture of Sikhs “Guru Granth Sahib”

Born to father Guru Ram Das Ji and mother Bhani Ji, Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh guru after his father’s demise. Guru Arjan dev gave his iconic contribution to the Sikh community in the form of ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ and Golden temple. He attained Martyrdom (Shaheedi) in the year 1606. June 16 2020 is going to celebrate as Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan dev Ji.

Under the Mughal Imprisonment

In 1606, he was captured by Mughal emperor Jahangir imprisoned him because he had influenced Jahangir’s son Khusrau, and also northern Indians who were changing their religion from Muslims and Hindus to Sikhism. This religious conversion threatened the Mughal Emperor. During his imprisonment, Guru Arjan Dev was asked to pay a fine of rupees 2 lakhs and also forced to remove some hymns from Guru Granth, considering them to be offensive for Hindus and Muslims.

Guru Arjan dev Ji refused to remove any text from the Granth and because of it he was tortured by the Mughal emperor till death. He took his last breath in river Ravi on May 30, 1606, where presently Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore stands.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji contribution to Sikhism

Guru Arjan Dev martyrdom has great significance for in Sikhism as he protected his religion till death.  The credit of laying the foundation of Harmandir Sahib (Golden temple) in Amritsar goes to him. The concept of gurudwaras having four doors was executed by him as he believed that the Sikhism is for the people of all castes and creeds “from whichever direction they come and to whichever direction they bow down”. Sikhs should donate one-tenth of their earnings to charity was also declared by him.

This year it’s 414th Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji which Sikh people are going to celebrate.