Between 1593-94, Guru Arjan Dev ji erected a thick pillar of tahli at Kartarpur Nagar and also built his own residential house. The place where the pillar was erected is now known as Gurdwara Thamm Sahib. There are two Kartarpur….. one is Guru Nanak’s Kartarpur, which is now in Pakistan and the other is Kartarpur, which is 65 km from Amritsar and about 15 km from Jalandhar. When we go to Amritsar from Delhi, Kartarpur city is 15 km from Jalandhar. It was here that Guru Arjan Dev ji founded the city. Guru Hargobind ji brought his family to Kartarpur after the Third Battle of Mehraj and made it his residence. This place has been the center of preaching since the time of Guru Arjan Dev ji. Sheesh Mahal was also built here for accommodation. Today we see some excerpts from it. The entire mansion, where Guru Hargobind ji lived with his family, now belongs to the Dhirmalis. While living here, his son Suraj Mall was married to Khem Kaur, daughter of Prem Chand Khilli. In this marriage Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was wearing a headdress and a beautiful weapon. Everyone’s mind is drawn towards Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. In this marriage, when Bhai Lal Chand Ji visited Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, he realized that if my daughter, Gujri got married to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, then my and my daughter’s life would be successful.
Bhai Laal Chand ji’s family was later a resident of Lakhnaur. He had two sons – one Bhai Kirpal Chand Ji, the other Bhai Mehar Chand Ji and a daughter Gujri Ji. Mehar Chand Ji lived in Lakhnaur and Bhai Lal Chand Ji took his son Kirpal Chand Ji and made his residence at Kartarpur. Often Mata Bishan Kaur, wife of Lal Chand Ji, used to go to the service of Nanaki Ji, daughter of Guru Hargobind Ji. There he expressed his desire to Mata Nanaki ji and the matter reached Guru Hargobind ji. Then the request was made and the relationship was soon accepted.
Guru Tegh Bahadur was now 11 years old and preparations for his marriage began. The news reached all the relatives that the marriage of Guru’s son Tegh Bahadur ji would be held at Kartarpur. All the relatives started coming in which Baba Sundar Ji from Guru Amar Das Ji’s family also arrived with the whole family. Their Bani is recorded in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Rai Jodh Ji from Dine Kangar, who had greatly helped Guru Hargobind ji in the battle of Gurusar, joined the marriage along with his entire family. Guru’s sangats, Sikhs and relatives began to arrive from a far. In Kartarpur, lamps were lit and a variety of dishes were prepared. The next day, the procession was ready and set off. At the time of morning, kirtan of Asa di War was performed by all the sangats. After that, the procession was ready, dressed in beautiful clothes, and started leaving Sheesh Mahal. Passing through ‘Rababiyan Wali Gali’, Barat reached Lal Chand Ji’s house, where Gurdwara Sahib is still standing. This is the place to meet. When Lal Chand Ji started bowing at the feet of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Guru Ji would say, “No, your place is in my heart”. Guru Ji hugged Lal Chand to his chest. The Bani was illuminated. Anand Karjas were performed by Baba Buddha ji’s son, Bhana ji and other rabbabis.
At that time, Guru Tegh Bahadur was 11 years old and Mata Gujar Kaur was 13 years old. Mata Gujar Kaur Ji was 2 years older than Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. After the Anand Karaj, people congratulate the couple on how beautiful they look. Writes-
“Kahai teg bahadur jori, bidh rchi ruchar ruch bori”
After the Anand Karj, when the Barat is bid farewell, then Lal Chand Ji joins hands and comes to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and says –
“Neh saryo kachh dhig moray”
I mean, Patshah ji, my poor could not get the service when the service should have been yours. My poor man has nothing to offer to you. I also have to give my daughter
Nothing. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji began to say to Lal Chand that-
“Jin Tanuja Arpan Kino,
Kya paachai tin rkh lino “
I mean Lal Chand Ji, who gave a piece of his heart , his daughter, tell me, what else is left after that. After that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, accompanied by Mata Gujar Kaur Ji, comes to his house Sheesh Mahal, where greetings are given by the Sangat.
Shortly after the marriage, the battle of Kartarpur takes place. What are the causes of the battle of Kartarpur, in which Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji fights holding tegas, we will mention in series no.9. So don’t forget to watch Series No. 9 ..