• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Authors
  • Contact Us

The Punjab Pulse

Centre for Socio-Cultural Studies

  • Areas of Study
    • Social & Cultural Studies
    • Religious Studies
    • Governance & Politics
    • National Perspectives
    • International Perspectives
    • Communism
  • Activities
    • Conferences & Seminars
    • Discussions
  • News
  • Resources
    • Books & Publications
    • Book Reviews
  • Icons of Punjab
  • Videos
  • Academics
  • Agriculture
You are here: Home / Religious Studies / Akal Takth and the concept of Miri and Piri created by Guru Hargobind Ji

Akal Takth and the concept of Miri and Piri created by Guru Hargobind Ji

June 30, 2020 By Jaibans Singh

Share

Jaibans Singh

Much before his martyrdom, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was well aware of the need for the Sikh community to develop a body of dedicated warriors who would become guardians of the oppressed, fight for justice and righteousness and protect their nation and people against repressive powers. It was with this thought in mind that he decided to train his son, Hargobind, who was very young at that point in time, in martial arts.

The responsibility for the same was given to Bhai Budda. Bhai Budda should not be confused with the saintly old Baba Buddha Ji who possessed no such skill. He was a Sikh skilled in soldierly qualities  and proficient in the use of arms.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji also impressed upon his son the need to build a viable force for self defence within the rapidly expanding community. He probably took these steps due to a divine realisation that he would not be in a position to carry forward the evolution of the community beyond the the massive task of compiling the holy Granth and they would fall on the young shoulders of Hargobind.

When the summons came from the Mughal Court for Guru Arjan Dev Ji, he knew that he would not come back. Before leaving, he declared on 25, May, 1606, that young Hargobind, would be the next master of the Sikhs.

On 11, June, 1606, then only 11 years old, Hargobind became the sixth master of the Sikhs on, and came to be known as Guru Hargobind Ji. Some chronicles put his initiation date as 24, June, 1606.

Guru Hargobind Ji, though very young, completely understood what his holy father required of him. During the initiation ceremony itself, he requested Baba Budha Ji to adorn him with a sword rather than the Seli (silk cap) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji as was the tradition. It is said that Baba Budha Ji, who knew nothing about swords, put the sword on the wrong side; Guru Hargobind Ji then requested him to put another sword on the other side and thus started the tradition of his wearing two swords This created the concept of Miri and Piri, implying that henceforth both religious and temporal power would remain vested upon the Guru.

The first step taken by Guru Hargobind Ji was construction of a seat of Temporal Power of the Sikhs. It came up on 15 June 1606, on a high ground opposite the Hari Mandir in the form of a 9 to 11 foot tall platform called the “Akal Bunga.” On this throne like structure sat Guru Hargobind Ji along with Bhai Gurdas and Baba Buddha Ji and held court. He received petitions and dispensed justice. The temporal nature of the Akal Bunga balanced the spiritual nature of the Hari Mandir, thus cementing the concept of Miri and Piri. The building is now a five storey structure with a marble inlay and gold leafed dome and is called the Akal Takht. It is the most important of the five Takhts of the Khalsa community.

Recitation of Gurbani in Akal Takth

Having created the seat of Temporal Power, the young Guru and his dedicated advisors set about strengthening the defences of the holy city of Amritsar. The city was walled and a small fortress named “Lohgarh” was constructed in the outskirts. The Guru initiated his own flag and war drums that were beaten twice a day.

Then began the arming and martial training of the Sikhs; the Guru himself was adept in the use of arms and an avid hunter. Martial Vaars (ballads of heroism) were composed and sung in the Court on a daily basis. The heroic deeds of Sikhs were commemorated. With time the Guru had, under his command, seven hundred horses and considerable Infantry.

Thus, within a few years of becoming the sixth master of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind was well poised to fructify the dream of his holy father of reconstitution the Sikhs as a separate Nation. The seed was sown even though the tree took almost two centuries to grow to its full potential. It is important to note here that to further the concept of nationhood, the Guru adopted all trappings of royalty, but deep within, and in his own words, he remained a simple ascetic and servant of the Sikhs.


Share
test

Filed Under: Religious Studies, Stories & Articles Tagged With: Akal Takht, Guru Hargobind Ji

Primary Sidebar

News

Haryana Sikhs to take control of SGPC gurdwaras in their state

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Longowal residents up in arms over shortage of health staff, sale of drugs

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Sacrilege cases: Be-adabi Insaaf Morcha turns heat on Punjab’s AAP Govt

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

ਪੁਲੀਸ ਭਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦੀ ਕੋਠੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਧਰਨਾ

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਮੁੱਦਾ: ‘ਆਪ’ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਮੁਜ਼ਾਹਰਾਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਰੋਹ ਦਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ

February 6, 2023 By News Bureau

Areas of Study

  • Governance & Politics
  • International Perspectives
  • National Perspectives
  • Social & Cultural Studies
  • Religious Studies

Featured Article

The actual message and etymology of Sri Guru Granth Sahib needs to be preserved

January 31, 2023 By Guest Author

Dr. Rajinder Pal Singh Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living Guru continues to inspire mankind and provide guidance for God realisation and truthful living. It contains the teachings of the Sikh Gurus as well as of Hindu and Muslim saints. Eternal wisdom flows from its teachings which are recited and sung with intense devotion […]

Academics

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-10 – भाग-11

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-10 विजयी सैन्य शक्ति के प्रतीक ‘पांच प्यारे’ और पांच ‘ककार’ नरेंद्र सहगल श्रीगुरु गोविंदसिंह द्वारा स्थापित ‘खालसा पंथ’ किसी एक प्रांत, जाति या भाषा का दल अथवा पंथ नहीं था। यह तो संपूर्ण भारत एवं भारतीयता के सुरक्षा कवच के रूप में तैयार की गई खालसा फौज […]

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-8 – भाग-9

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-8 अमृत शक्ति-पुत्रों का वीरव्रति सैन्य संगठन नरेंद्र सहगल संपूर्ण भारत को ‘दारुल इस्लाम’ इस्लामिक मुल्क बनाने के उद्देश्य से मुगल शासकों द्वारा किए गए और किए जा रहे घोर अत्याचारों को देखकर दशम् गुरु श्रीगुरु गोविंदसिंह ने सोए हुए हिंदू समाज में क्षात्रधर्म का जाग्रण करके एक […]

‘सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला’ धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-6 – भाग-7

सिंघसूरमा लेखमाला धर्मरक्षक वीरव्रति खालसा पंथ – भाग-6 श्रीगुरु गोबिन्दसिंह का जीवनोद्देश्य धर्म की स्थापना, अधर्म का नाश नरेंद्र सहगल ‘हिन्द दी चादर’ अर्थात भारतवर्ष का सुरक्षा कवच सिख साम्प्रदाय के नवम् गुरु श्रीगुरु तेगबहादुर ने हिन्दुत्व अर्थात भारतीय जीवन पद्यति, सांस्कृतिक धरोहर एवं स्वधर्म की रक्षा के लिए अपना बलिदान देकर मुगलिया दहशतगर्दी को […]

Twitter Feed

The Punjab Pulse Follow

The Punjab Pulse is an independent, non-partisan think tank engaged in research and in-depth study of all aspects the impact the state of Punjab and Punjabis

ThePunjabPulse
thepunjabpulse The Punjab Pulse @thepunjabpulse ·
15h

अपनी सुरीली आवाज से संगीत की दुनिया में 'स्‍वर कोकिला' के नाम से प्रख्यात 'भारत रत्न' से सम्मानित लता मंगेशकर जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
#latamangeskar @ThePunjabPulse

Reply on Twitter 1622511398185222145 Retweet on Twitter 1622511398185222145 Like on Twitter 1622511398185222145 2 Twitter 1622511398185222145
Retweet on Twitter The Punjab Pulse Retweeted
_sayema Sayema @_sayema ·
17h

I feel so sorry for this guy! His whole life has been wasted. What a pity! https://twitter.com/vinodkapri/status/1622472372627607552

Vinod Kapri @vinodkapri

असल ज़िंदगी में ZOMBIES देखे हैं ?

अगर नहीं, तो @neeraj_jhaa दिखा रहे हैं।

ऐसे Zombies की पूरी सेना तैयार हो चुकी है , जिसे भारत के क़ानून , संविधान की कोई परवाह नहीं है।

Reply on Twitter 1622486921162428417 Retweet on Twitter 1622486921162428417 398 Like on Twitter 1622486921162428417 2085 Twitter 1622486921162428417
Retweet on Twitter The Punjab Pulse Retweeted
chatterchatru sweetBhartiiye @chatterchatru ·
5 Feb

विवाह समारोह में रक्त दान कैंप का आयोजन किया गया।

प्रशंसनीय कार्य
👏👏👏

Reply on Twitter 1622184000742883328 Retweet on Twitter 1622184000742883328 138 Like on Twitter 1622184000742883328 143 Twitter 1622184000742883328
Load More

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Signup to receive regular updates and to hear what's going on with us.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

TAGS

Academics Activities Agriculture Areas of Study Books & Publications Communism Conferences & Seminars Discussions Governance & Politics Icons of Punjab International Perspectives National Perspectives News Religious Studies Resources Social & Cultural Studies Stories & Articles Uncategorized Videos

Footer

About Us

The Punjab Pulse is an independent, non-partisan think tank engaged in research and in-depth study of all aspects the impact the state of Punjab and Punjabis at large. It strives to provide a platform for a wide ranging dialogue that promotes the interest of the state and its peoples.

Read more

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · The Punjab Pulse

Developed by Web Apps Interactive