In this series No. 15 we will get to know the history of the events that took place at Guru Har Rai Ji’s Kiratpur Sahib.
In 1644, Guru Hargobind sahib ji appointed Guru Har Rai ji as his successor. At the same time, Mata Nanaki ji, Mata Gujri ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur ji were sent to Baba Bakala. Later, while living at Kiratpur Sahib, Guru Har Rai ji also planted 52 gardens. They were also planted with herbs so that public welfare work could be done in future. Guru ji also opened a zoo here for injured animals and birds. Not only this, Guru Ji called other doctors and ordered herbs from Shivalik hills to prepare medicines as Shivalik hills were near here. Thus a big dispensary was opened in which the most terrible diseases were treated. All this was done by the Guru for free.
According to his father’s instructions, Guru ji had 2200 horsemen with him. Weapons and wars also continued the practice of warfare. In 1646, there was a famine in the Punjab. At that time Guru Har Rai ji opened the doors of this dispensary at Kiratpur for the famine victims. He treated those patients with his own hands. Meanwhile, Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan, fell ill. He was not treated anywhere. Guru Har Rai ji’s dispensary was very famous all over India. People were told that if your son is to recover, Guru Har Rai Ji has opened a dispensary at Kiratpur, where he can be treated. Dara Shikoh came to Guru Har Rai Ji and Guru Ji treated him with precious herbs. Dara Shikoh recovered and later became a devotee of the Guru’s house. From then on, Aurangzeb was an expert because of his cunning policy. He imprisoned his father Shah Jahan in 1658 AD and revolted against his brothers. Dara Shikoh was also attacked. Dara Shikoh fled from Delhi to Lahore. Here Guru Har Rai ji went from Kiratpur to Kartarpur Sahib. From Kartarpur, Baba Bakale met Guru Tegh Bahadur ji and reached Goindval Sahib. While the Guru ji was associating the sangat at Goindval Sahib with his Preachings, Dara Shikoh came to Guru Har Rai ji and asked for help. Guru Sahib placed his armies on the banks of the river and stopped Aurangzeb’s forces.
Thus Dara Shikoh fled to Lahore. The news is later passed on to Aurangzeb. Dhir Mall was also involved in spreading the news. Aurangzeb is told that your brother Dara Shikoh was helped by Guru Har Rai Ji. Aurangzeb sends a letter inviting the Guru to Delhi for clarification. Guru Har Rai ji had made it clear that-
“Neh mlesh ko darsan dehain
Neh mlesh ko darsan lehain “
That means I will not look at Aurangzeb’s forehead. Guru Har Rai ji sends his eldest son Ram Rai to Delhi in his place. The next history we will hear in the next series. So don’t forget to check