The martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev ji -the first martyr of the Sikhs laid down the foundations of martyrdom which Sikhs follow unto this day. The distribution of Chabeel -sweetened water across the Sikh world is our commitment to uphold His ideals and to bring solace to humankind suffering the weather as well as tyranny of the rulers -whenever and wherever.

World history has witnessed that whenever the world was engulfed in the darkness of falsehood, God sends a messenger of truth. When the clash between truth and falsehood is equal, then truth has to surpass falsehood through extreme sacrifices. It is an eternal fact that ultimately truth triumphs and falsehood is defeated. Gurbani states:

 

In the 15th century, a new revolutionary religion originated which unscreened all prevailing falsehood, illusions and frauds. This religion of Guru Nanak rose with equal status for entire humanity and a novel attitude. Due to the rise of this virtue, the old, simple and stale ideologies vanished and the populace experienced a new dawn. Everyone wished to savour the new enlightenment and to rid off darkness from their lives, leading to Guru Nanak’s truthful path becoming the beloved of many.

Consequently the Brahmans -the then orthodox community couldn’t bear it and tried to suppress it, but how long can a cloud block way of the sun?  Just by covering the sun for a while, if the cloud thinks that it has finished the sun, then it’s mistaken.

As the piercing sunrays tears the clouds and reach the ground, likewise the philosophy of Guru Nanak’s purity reached humankind.  Those confused and wavering joined in hordes, creating envy amongst those opposed to the ideology of the founder of Sikhism. Ultimately the enlightenment spread far and wide. Guru Nanak’s pure path was nurtured by the successor Gurus.

“At last for five long days, the Angel of peace -Guru Arjan Dev was mercilessly tortured by pouring boiling water and hot sand on him, making him sit on hot iron plates under the hot sun.”

Falsehood can’t bear the truth. So when the Fifth Master, Guru Arjan Dev was enthroned, the number of opponents multiplied as the progress of truth became intolerable. Consequently their rivalry with the House of the Gurus increased.  It came to a point where a supreme sacrifice was necessary to maintain the prominence and dominance of truth. Such was the sacrifice as was witnessed at the time of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev.

The truth was sitting on hot an iron grid, blazing sand was poured on his head, people were watching with bated breath wondering how long could truth hold out, but truthfulness personified, Guru Sahib was uttering,

meaning, “Sweet is thy will for me.”

This sacrifice was totally different from others in the world. Napoleon Bonaparte had written such wonderful words about martyrdom, saying “that only sacrifice alone is not important but more important is the reason for which it is given.” The reason for the Fifth Nanak’s sacrifice was unique.

Guru Arjan Dev was accused for saying truth-the Bani (the divine word). His only crime was to make humankind aware of the reality of God by preaching truth. This and only this was the crime for which the truth was made to sit on hot plates and blazing sand was poured on his divine body.

Causes of Sacrifice

Generally historians have ignored all the other causes of Guru Sahib’s martyrdom and highlighted only Chandu’s role but recent researches do not accept Chandu as solely responsible. People responsible for Guru Sahib’s martyrdom can be divided into three categories:

-People with personal rivalry, namely Prithicand and Chandu

-The Brahmins who considered themselves of high caste

-The Maulanas who were torchbearers of staunch orthodox philosophy

-Emperor Jehangir who had his own political rationale

People with Personal Rivalry (Prithichand):

Guru Nanak’s abode witnessed that there is no place for hierarchical influence and personal prosperity so from Guru Nanak’s time itself, the opposition started within the house only. Baba Sri Chandji and Lakhmi Dasji did not come up to the expectations of their own father Guru Nanak. Bhai Satta and Balwand have referred this in their Vaar,

meaning “Their sons disobeyed them and hence showed their back to them.”

At the time of Guru Angad Dev, opposition was raised by Baba Daasu and Baba Daatu. Baba Mohan and Baba Mohri too opposed at the times of Guru Amardas. However these oppositions remained confined within the four walls of the house. However during the time of Guru Ramdas, his son -Baba Prithichand crossed all limits. He quarreled with his father. Guru Sahib has indicated this in Gurbani also.

meaning, “Why o son you quarrel with thy father, quarreling with thou by whom you are born and brought up is sin.”

Prithichand couldn’t tolerate the situation when his younger brother Arjan Dev was showered with Guruship. He always envied Guru Sahib, consequently Guru Sahib had to face many odds. Prithichand tried all propaganda for acquiring Guruship. He took the political assistance for the fulfillment of his desires. Once he invited Sulhi Khan of Lahore to invade Amritsar but fortunately he met his last destiny on the way. When Prithichand did not succeeded due to Sulhi Khan’s death he called upon Sulabhi Khan the nephew of Sulhi Khan to attack Guru Sahib, but he too was killed by one fellow soldier on the way. Prithichand’s desires were buried in his heart. At last he made contacts with Emperor Jehangir, which became one of the major causes of Guru Sahib’s sacrifice.

The role of Chandu: Chandu was the prime mover for Guru Sahib’s martyrdom. Serving as an officer in the court of Emperor Jehangir, his role is significant but it would be unwise to ignore other causes. All the arrangements for Guru Sahib’s torture and killing were arranged by Chandu, Guru Sahib’s martyrdom was presided over him, in his presence and under his guidance, but he was not the person who gave the orders of capital punishment.  Undoubtedly, he was one of the complainants to the court of Jehangir, as he envied Guru Sahib. primarily because on the request of the Sangat -congregation, Guru Sahib had refused his proposal for the marriage of his daughter to Guru Sahib’s son Guru Hargobind Sahib.. He constantly accused Guruji for some reason or the other in Jehangir’s court, which ultimately aggregated to be one of the causes of martyrdom.

Religious Reasons -Brahmins: Even before Guru Arjan Dev, the Brahmins were jealous of the growth of Sikhism. They had taken up the matter with Emperor Akbar too but all their allegations were merely jealousy and hoax.

When Guru Arjan Sahib completed the compilation of Adi Granth Sahib, they felt that now they had adequate reason to move against Guru Sahib. They raised a hue and cry in the court of Emperor Jehangir that by compiling the Granth- the compendium of hymns of Gurus and Bhagats, Guru Arjan Sahib had hurt the sentiments of Hindus and Muslims alike.

They complained that Adi Granth Sahib condemns caste discrimination and casteism is the pillar of the Hindu religion. They knew that Granth Sahib comprises the language of the masses and if masses are awakened, the selfish motives of the Brahmins would be exposed. They will lose work. They suggested to Emperor Jehangir to confiscate the Adi Granth Sahib and execute Guru Arjan Sahib. The intelligent Birbal mediated between the Brahmins and Emperor Jehangir.

Maulanas: The staunch orthodox Muslims envied those Muslims who were interested in Guru Ghar and hence they too became a cause in Guru Sahib martyrdom.

Kanha, Peelu, Chhajju and Shah Hussain: At the time of compilation of Adi Granth Sahib, Guru Arjan Dev issued special ‘Hukamnamas’ all over that who so ever possess Guru Nanak Dev and other Guru Sahiban’s Bani shall bring it to him, so that the divine word can be assembled as one Granth.

On hearing this, this quartet brought their self-composed poems to Guru Sahib ji for inclusion. Guru Sahib refused to include them, saying that the Granth beholds only the divine word and not worldly poems. They returned back feeling insulted and annoyed and made up their mind to avenge this. So they complained at Jehangir’s court, wickedly accusing Guru Sahib for spreading anarchy and harming peace in society.

Sheikh Ahmed Sarhindi:- He was a follower of Sakhi Sarwar sect of Indian Islam which was mainly aimed at converting people to their religion. He couldn’t bear the increasing spread of Guru Sahib’s ideology and mission. With the help of his disciple Murtaza Khan, who was an army officer in the court of Emperor Jehangir, he appealed and persuaded the king to execute Guru Arjan Sahib who in his eyes was an obstacle to the propagation of Islam.

Political reasons- Jehangir: From his writings Tuzk-e-Jehangiri it is very clear that he had enmity with Guru Ghar. The very fact that he addressed Guruship as a shop of falsehood, he laid down his plan for the execution of Guru Arjan Dev. This demonstrated the extent of his animosity with the House of the Guru.

To wit, the steadily increasing power and fame of Guru Nanak Sahib’s ideology was unbearable to orthodox Muslims and casteist. At the same time, Emperor Jehangir too could not digest the growth and progress of Sikhism. The news of compilation of Adi Granth Sahib added fuel to fire. He himself wished to convert Guru Arjan Dev to his own religion. Khusro’s attendance as a devotee in Guru Sahib’s presence was enough for Jehangir to blame Guru Sahib a rebel. The magnification of this incident provided the leverage which Jehangir was looking for. Without waiting for more, Jehangir seized the opportunity and ordered the arrest of Guru Arjan Sahib. This was the culmination of the environment created for Guru Sahib’s Shahadat -martyrdom.

Order of Execution: For Jehangir, Khusro’s presence in the Guru Darbar, his own envious attitude and the false complaints of the opponents were helpful for the fulfillment of his malicious desire. Who was to investigate this?

“Sweet is thy will for me. -Guru Arjan Dev”

On Jehangir’s order, Guru Sahib was arrested and brought to Lahore. When there was no hope of Guru ji’s conversion to Islam, the orders to terrorize and torture were issued. Guru Arjan Dev was to be executed by the code of ‘Yasa’ and this responsibility was given to Chandu. At last for five long days the Angel of peace Guru Arjan Dev was mercilessly tortured by pouring boiling water and sand on him and making him sit on hot iron plates under the hot sun.

Guru Arjan Sahib peacefully attained martyrdom, became the first martyr of the Sikhi movement and is revered as the Shaheed Shiromani. Undergoing the torture, he remained focused and recited,

meaning, “Thy will is sweet for me.”

This is how the tradition of sacrifice originated in Sikhism and is continuing for the sake of truth and would go on for all times to come.  Bhai Gurdas aptly puts it,