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.

This year has Guru Nanak Jayanti has special significance for the Sikh followers as it is the 550th Birth anniversary of the Nanak Ji and after so many years Kartarpur corridor has been opened for Indian Sikh followers on November 9. Kartarpur Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage site for Sikhs and the abode of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It was here where he took his last breath. This place is about 3 to 4 kilometers from the border of India in Pakistan. This corridor has been built from Dera Baba Nanak which is in Gurdaspur to the Pakistan border. Now Indians are allowed to visit the Kartarpur Gurudwara.

Life History and teachings of Guru Nanak Ji

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born at a place named Rai Bhoi’s Talwandi (Rai Bhoi di Talwandi), which is now in Nankana Sahib, Punjab province of Pakistan. In his whole life, he worked for the poor and downtrodden people. He believes in one god and preached that women are equal to men. Nanak Ji devoted his life to fighting against the superstitions.