Lives of the Gurus · 6th Guru

Guru Hargobind Ji (1595–1644): The Soldier-Saint — Miri-Piri, the Akal Takht, Gwalior Fort, Four Battles and Kiratpur Sahib

The martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji changed the direction of the Sikh community. His son, Guru Hargobind Ji, became Guru at eleven and declared that the Guru would now hold both spiritual and worldly authority. He raised horsemen, built the Akal Takht, endured imprisonment at Gwalior and fought four battles against Mughal forces — without losing the devotional core of the faith. This guide covers his life in depth.

By PunjabExams Editorial Team · Updated 29 October 2026 · 7 min read · How we prepare guides

Life at a glance

Childhood

Hargobind was born at Guru ki Wadali, a village west of Amritsar. Sikh tradition records attempts on the infant's life by agents of his uncle Prithi Chand — a snake, poisoned food and a nurse with poisoned breasts — all of which failed. He was taught by Baba Buddha, who trained him in scripture as well as riding, swordsmanship and archery.

Two swords: miri and piri

When Guru Arjan Dev Ji was taken to Lahore in 1606, he instructed that his son should sit on the throne fully armed. At the installation ceremony, the eleven-year-old Guru asked Baba Buddha to tie on two swords:

• Piri — the sword of spiritual authority;
• Miri — the sword of temporal (worldly) authority.

He declared that the Guru's house would now offer both. He began to wear royal dress, kept a hawk, held court and accepted gifts of horses and weapons instead of only money. Sikhs were encouraged to train in arms.

The Akal Takht and Lohgarh

In 1606, opposite the Harmandir Sahib, the Guru raised a platform called the Akal Bunga — later known as the Akal Takht ("Throne of the Timeless One"). Here he:

• sat on a raised platform about twelve feet high — tradition notes it was higher than the emperor's throne — as a sign of independence;
• heard disputes and issued orders;
• listened to dhadis (bards) singing vars (ballads) of heroism, beginning a tradition of martial music.

The arrangement placed spiritual authority (the Harmandir Sahib) and temporal authority (the Akal Takht) side by side. The two Nishan Sahibs between them, of slightly different heights, are said to show that miri stays under piri.

He also built a small fort at Amritsar called Lohgarh.

Imprisonment at Gwalior and Bandi Chhor

The Guru's growing strength alarmed Jahangir. Around 1609–1619 (dates vary in sources), he was detained in Gwalior Fort, where many rajas were held as political prisoners.

When Jahangir ordered his release, the Guru refused to leave unless the 52 princes imprisoned with him were freed too. Jahangir agreed that those who could hold on to the Guru's robe could leave. The Guru had a cloak made with 52 tassels (kalis), and every prince walked out holding one. He became known as Bandi Chhor ("liberator of prisoners").

His return to Amritsar coincided with Diwali, and the city was lit with lamps. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on Diwali. Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor Sahib stands at Gwalior Fort.

Relations with Jahangir were reasonably peaceful after this, and the Guru accompanied the emperor on some journeys, including to Kashmir.

Four battles

After Shah Jahan became emperor, conflict returned. The Guru fought four battles, all defensive, and won each:

In the Battle of Kartarpur, his youngest son Tyag Mal fought so bravely that he was renamed Tegh Bahadur ("brave of the sword") — the future ninth Guru.

Bhai Bidhi Chand, a former outlaw turned devoted Sikh, became famous for daring raids such as recovering the horses Dilbagh and Gulbagh from Lahore.

Kiratpur Sahib

After 1635, to avoid further conflict on the plains, the Guru moved to Kiratpur Sahib in the Shivalik foothills, a town founded by his eldest son Baba Gurditta. He spent his last years here, preaching and organising the sangat. Kiratpur stands on the Sutlej; Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib marks the place of his cremation.

Sons and Gurdwara Baba Atal

• Baba Gurditta, the eldest, was respected as a saint; his son Har Rai became the next Guru. Baba Gurditta appointed four preachers whose line is linked with the Udasi order.
• Baba Atal Rai died young at Amritsar. Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai, a nine-storeyed tower, is the tallest building in the Golden Temple area, one storey for each year of his life.
• Tegh Bahadur later became the ninth Guru.

Bhai Gurdas

The great Sikh scholar Bhai Gurdas, scribe of the Adi Granth, lived into Guru Hargobind Ji's time. His Varan (ballads) and Kabits explain Sikh ideas and are called the "key to the Guru Granth Sahib". His writings defend the Guru's new martial style against critics.

Bani

Guru Hargobind Ji did not add hymns to the Guru Granth Sahib. His contribution was institutional — the Akal Takht, the dhadi tradition and armed self-defence.

Exam traps

• Akal Takht — Guru Hargobind Ji (1606), not Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
• Gwalior is linked with Bandi Chhor Divas; 52 princes were freed.
• Painde Khan was killed at Kartarpur (1635); it was here that Tegh Bahadur earned his name.
• Guru Hargobind Ji's successor was his grandson Har Rai, not his son.

Key points to remember

• Born 1595, Guru ki Wadali; Guru at 11 in 1606.
• Two swords: miri and piri; Baba Buddha tied them.
• Akal Takht (Akal Bunga) 1606; dhadi vars; Lohgarh fort.
• Gwalior → 52 princes freed → Bandi Chhor Divas on Diwali.
• Battles: Rohilla 1621, Amritsar 1634, Lehra 1634, Kartarpur 1635.
• Moved to Kiratpur Sahib; passed away 1644.

Practice questions

1. Q1. Who tied the two swords of miri and piri on Guru Hargobind Ji?

   • (a) Bhai Gurdas
   • (b) Baba Buddha
   • (c) Bhai Bidhi Chand
   • (d) Baba Gurditta
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Baba Buddha — Baba Buddha performed the ceremony at his installation in 1606.

2. Q2. How many princes were released from Gwalior Fort with Guru Hargobind Ji?

   • (a) 22
   • (b) 40
   • (c) 52
   • (d) 84
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) 52 — Fifty-two princes were freed by holding the tassels of his cloak.

3. Q3. In which battle was Painde Khan killed?

   • (a) Rohilla
   • (b) Amritsar
   • (c) Lehra
   • (d) Kartarpur
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) Kartarpur — Painde Khan died in the Battle of Kartarpur, 1635.

4. Q4. Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai in Amritsar has how many storeys?

   • (a) Five
   • (b) Seven
   • (c) Nine
   • (d) Eleven
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) Nine — The nine-storeyed tower recalls the nine years of Baba Atal Rai's life.

5. Q5. Kiratpur Sahib was founded by:

   • (a) Guru Hargobind Ji
   • (b) Baba Gurditta
   • (c) Guru Har Rai Ji
   • (d) Baba Buddha
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Baba Gurditta — Baba Gurditta, eldest son of Guru Hargobind Ji, founded Kiratpur Sahib.

6. Q6. The Battle of Lehra (1634) was fought near:

   • (a) Bathinda
   • (b) Amritsar
   • (c) Jalandhar
   • (d) Gurdaspur
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) Bathinda — It was fought at Lehra (Mehraj), near Bathinda.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between miri and piri?

Piri is spiritual authority; miri is worldly or political authority. Guru Hargobind Ji wore one sword for each.

Why is Diwali also Bandi Chhor Divas?

Because Guru Hargobind Ji returned to Amritsar on Diwali after securing his own release and that of 52 princes from Gwalior Fort.

Did Guru Hargobind Ji write hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib?

No. His contribution was institutional: the Akal Takht, armed self-defence and the dhadi tradition.

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