Mughals and Sikhs | Punjab State (PPSC) PSC: Preparation - PPSC PCS (Punjab) PDF Download

Introduction

During the reign of Babur and Humayun, the Bhakti Movement began and spread throughout India. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of the Sikhs, was a contemporary of Babur and Humayun. His followers later became known as Sikhs. Guru Nanak Ji founded Sikhism around the same time that Babur was establishing the Mughal Empire in India. He also lived during the period of Sher Shah Suri. Sikhism was further developed by Guru Angad Dev Ji.

During Akbar's reign, Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Guru, established 22 seats (Gaddee) and appointed a Mahant to each seat. Akbar met Guru Amar Das Ji at Goindwal and gifted several villages to the Guru's daughter, Bibi Bhani. The fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das Ji, who was Bibi Bhani's husband, received 500 bighas of land from Akbar.

Guru Ram Das Ji used this land to construct the Amritsar lake and develop the city of Amritsar, which later became a significant religious centre for Sikhism. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru, later built the Harmandir Sahib at the centre of the Amritsar lake.

The Conflict between Mughals and Sikhs

Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the Mughals:

• Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, was seen as a political threat by Mughal emperor Jahangir, who arrested him in 1606.
• Jahangir's actions were partly due to the support the Sikhs gave to his rebel son, Khusrau Mirza.

Guru Har Gobind Ji and Shah Jahan:

• After Jahangir's death in 1627, Shah Jahan became the Mughal emperor.
• Guru Har Gobind Ji, the sixth Guru, fought many battles against Shah Jahan's troops and founded the town of Kiratpur.

Guru Har Rai Ji and the Mughal Court:

• Guru Har Rai Ji, the seventh Guru, maintained a large court and army.
• Shah Jahan initially chose his son Dara Shikoh as his successor, but Aurangzeb eventually became emperor.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Aurangzeb:

• Guru Har Rai Ji died in 1661, and Guru Har Krishan Ji became the Guru but died in 1664.
• Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Guru, opposed Aurangzeb's policies in Kashmir and refused to convert to Islam, leading to his execution on November 11, 1675.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Khalsa:

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji became the tenth Guru after his father’s martyrdom.
• In 1699, he founded the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib, transforming the Sikhs into a powerful martial community.
• Despite his victories against the Mughals, he was eventually trapped at Anandpur Sahib in 1704.
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji was murdered by an Afghan in Nanded, but his disciple Banda Singh Bahadur led a major revolt against the Mughals.