(Let us venerate Sri Harikrishan, all woe vanishes on his sight)

Born: 7 July 1656

Place of birth: Kiratpur (district Ropar)

Parents: Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji

Received Guruship: 8 Kartik of 1718 Bikrami

Period: The reign of Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb

Died: at the age of seven years nine months and twenty days in 1664

The eighth guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Harikrishan Dev Ji was the youngest guru but the glory of his name spread far and wide. He was born to Mata Krishan Kaur and Sri Guru Har Rai Ji on 7 July 1656. His older brother Ram Rai was a contender to the throne but Guru Har Rai Ji had disowned him since he had tampered with the gurbani at Aurangzeb’s command. Ram Rai proclaimed himself the Guru with imperial help, but the Sikhs spurned him.

Famous historian Jadoonath, head of the Indian Historical Record Commission has written that by that time a personality cult had developed amongst Sikhs since guruship was being passed on to children between five and nine years of age (History of Aurangzeb, Part Three- page 34). However Sikh historians have refuted this observation since in Sikhism guruship was not considered an inherited right but was passed on to the worthiest. The main criteria for selection were selfless service and wisdom.

The eighth guru amply fulfilled these criteria. He was aware of the times and fully understood the craftiness of Aurangzeb and refused to yield to him. Not only that, he chose the right successor (Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji) before breathing his last. Those were extremely hard times for Sikhs. Guru Ji was very young but consolidated all the leading Sikhs around him and continued the policy of non-co-operation with the Emperor. Aurangzeb had subjugated Ram Rai but totally failed in his attempts to control Sikhs. Ram Rai thought that if Guru Harikrishan goes to Delhi on Aurangzeb’s command, he would spread the word in Sikhs that Guru Harikrishan had defied his father’s will. On the other hand, if Guru Ji refuses to visit Delhi, he could tell Aurangzeb that Guru Harikrishan had revolted against him. Guru Harikrishan Ji refused to visit Delhi on Aurangzeb’s summons, so he had an invitation sent through Raja Jai Singh. Guru Ji called a congregation to discuss the invitation and sought the counsel of leading Sikhs. He sent a missive to Aurangzeb saying that if he wanted to see any miracles, he could seek the same from Ram Rai. As far as Guru Harikrishan Ji was concerned, he would abide by his father Guru Har Rai’s wishes and have no truck with the Mogul Emperor.

Meanwhile, the Sikh congregation of Delhi sent Guru Ji a message imploring him to visit Delhi. Guru Harikrishan Ji accepted the request of the Sikhs. He went to Delhi along with his mother and other leading Sikhs and stayed at Raja Jai Chand’s bungalow. He gave counsel to the queens and the sons of Raja Jai Singh but refused to see Aurangzeb.

There was an outbreak of cholera in Delhi at that time. At the followers’ behest Guru Ji went all over town to enquire after the afflicted. He would read out gurbani to them for the purification of their mind and soul and distribute consecrated water, Charnamat. He came down with small pox himself and set his camp outside the city. He could not be treated properly there and his condition started deteriorating. His mother and the followers expressed their distress but Guru Ji asked them to remain calm and bear the inevitable with fortitude. Anxious Sikhs wanted to know who would be their leader after him. Guru Ji uttered, "Baba Bakale" (He is in Bakala). After expressing this Guru Ji breathed his last on the seventh day of Chetra month of 1701 Bikrami. He was cremated on the banks of river Jamna near village Bhogal. Gurudwara Bala Sahib is now situated there. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is located at the place of his residence in Delhi.