I🔱 Expanded Article on Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666–1708): Warrior, Saint, Visionary
🔹 Early Life and Spiritual Training
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born as Gobind Rai on December 22, 1666, in Patna Sahib (now in Bihar, India). He was the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Sikh Guru, and Mata Gujri. He was educated in Sanskrit, Persian, Punjabi, martial arts, archery, and spiritual scriptures.
Table of Contents
After his father’s martyrdom in Delhi in 1675 — executed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam or force conversions upon Hindus — the responsibility of the Guruship fell upon Gobind Rai at just 9 years old. His father’s martyrdom deeply shaped his future decisions, especially the militarization of Sikhism.
🔹 Guru Gobind Singh’s Ideology
Guru Gobind Singh’s ideology revolved around justice, dharma (righteous duty), and egalitarianism. His idea of the “Saint-Soldier” or “Sant-Sipahi” was unique — a person spiritually aware but also prepared to stand against injustice.
❌ Comparison to RSS and VHP:
While RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) promote Hindutva, Guru Gobind Singh’s ideology emphasized equality of all faiths and stood against tyranny, not against any particular religion. He even wrote in the Zafarnama to Aurangzeb that Islam had been distorted by the emperor’s own tyranny.
Key difference: Guru Gobind Singh’s Khalsa stood for justice and religious freedom, not for dominance of any particular faith.
🔹 Why Did Guru Gobind Singh Create the Khalsa?
In 1699, during the festival of Baisakhi at Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth — a spiritual brotherhood and warrior community. It was a direct response to Mughal tyranny and to eliminate caste-based discrimination.
The First Five Beloved Ones (Panj Pyare):
- Bhai Daya Singh (Khatri from Lahore)
- Bhai Dharam Singh (Jat from Hastinapur)
- Bhai Himmat Singh (Water-bearer caste from Jagannath Puri)
- Bhai Mohkam Singh (Tailor from Dwarka)
- Bhai Sahib Singh (Barber from Bidar)
Reference: “Guru Gobind Singh: A Biography” by Harish Dhillon (Penguin, 2012)
🔹 Hindu Rajas Who Fought Against Guru Gobind Singh
The Hill Rajas (Rajput rulers of Himachal region) initially had cordial relations with the Guru. However, fearing his growing influence and opposing his egalitarian ideology, they aligned with the Mughal Empire.
Major Hindu Rajas who opposed him:
- Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur (Bilaspur)
- Raja Ajmer Chand of Kahlur (son of Bhim Chand)
- Raja Fateh Shah of Garhwal
- Raja Gopal of Guler
- Raja Kesri Chand of Jaswan
- Raja Kirpal Chand of Kangra
- Raja Hari Chand of Hindur (he died in the Battle of Bhangani)
Reference:
- “Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth” by Bhai Santokh Singh
- “A History of the Sikhs” by Khushwant Singh, Vol 1
🔹 Major Battles and Opponents
⚔️ Battle of Bhangani (1688)
Guru Gobind Singh vs. combined forces of Hindu Hill Rajas led by Raja Bhim Chand.
- Result: Victory for Guru Gobind Singh.
- Source: Bachittar Natak (autobiographical work by Guru Gobind Singh)
⚔️ Battle of Anandpur Sahib (1700–1705)
Prolonged siege by Mughal forces and Hill Rajas.
- Key Opponents: Aurangzeb’s forces, Hill Rajas (Ajmer Chand, Fateh Shah, etc.)
- Result: Guru Gobind Singh left Anandpur Sahib under a false promise of safe passage.
⚔️ Battle of Chamkaur (1704)
Guru Gobind Singh and 40 Sikhs vs. thousands of Mughal troops.
- Opponents: Mughal generals Wazir Khan (Sirhind), Zabardast Khan, and Hill Raja Ajmer Chand
- Two of the Guru’s elder sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, were martyred here.
🔹 Who Killed Guru Gobind Singh’s Sons?
Martyrdom of the Younger Sons:
- Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (6) were captured along with their grandmother Mata Gujri at Sirhind.
- Wazir Khan, the Mughal governor of Sirhind, ordered them to convert to Islam or face death.
- They refused and were bricked alive in a wall, a rare and brutal execution.
Reference:
- Sri Gur Bilas Patshahi 10 by Kavi Sainapati
- History of the Sikhs by Hari Ram Gupta, Vol. 1
🔹 Guru Gobind Singh’s Writings
Guru Gobind Singh was also a scholar. His compositions include:
- Zafarnama (Letter of Victory to Aurangzeb)
- Bachittar Natak (autobiography and narrative of his battles)
- Jaap Sahib, Chaupai Sahib, Akal Ustat — spiritual hymns in Dasam Granth
These writings show his deep commitment to justice, equality, and fearless resistance.
🔹 Role of Jats in Khalsa and Sikhism
Jats, a rural agrarian community of Punjab, played a major role in Guru Gobind Singh’s military and spiritual movement.
- Bhai Dharam Singh, one of the Panj Pyare, was a Jat.
- Many Jats became devout Sikhs and formed the bulk of the Khalsa fighting force.
- The later Sikh Misls (18th century confederacies) and Ranjit Singh’s Empire were predominantly Jat-led.
Reference:
- “Jats the Ancient Rulers (A Clan Study)” by B.S. Dahiya
- “A History of the Sikhs” by Khushwant Singh
🔹 Final Years and Legacy
After his family’s martyrdom, Guru Gobind Singh traveled south and later allied with the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shahu. He was assassinated in 1708 in Nanded by two Pathans sent by Wazir Khan.
Before his death, he declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, thereby ending the line of human Gurus.
🔚 Conclusion
Guru Gobind Singh was not merely a warrior or religious leader — he was a visionary who redefined faith, identity, and resistance. His ideology emphasized dignity, unity, and justice — transcending the narrow politics of religious nationalism.
His stand for human rights, his creation of the Khalsa to uplift the oppressed, and his challenge to tyranny remain timeless examples of courage and reform.
