PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 6 Guru Arjan Dev Ji and His Martyrdom

This PSEB 12th Class History Notes Chapter 6 Guru Arjan Dev Ji and His Martyrdom will help you in revision during exams.

Early Career and Difficulties:

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was born on April 15, 1563 A.D. at Goindwal Sahib.
The name of his father was Guru Ram Das Ji and the name of his mother was Bibi Bhani Ji.
He was married to Ganga Devi, the daughter of Krishan Chand of village Mou of Phillaur.
He assumed Guruship in 1581 A.D.
After his assumption of Guruship, his elder brother Prithi Chand adopted an attitude of open defiance.
He had to face opposition from the Naqshbandis and the Brahmans.
Diwan Chandu Shah of Lahore was also against him.

Development of Sikhism under Guru Arjan Dev Ji:

During his pontificate, Guru Arjan Dev Ji undertook multifarious tasks for the development of Sikhism.
During his Guruship, he got Sri Harmandir Sahib constructed. Its construction work was completed in 1601 A.D.
In 1590 A.D. Tarn in 1593 A.D. Kartarpur and in 1595 A.D. Sri Hargobindpur were founded.
The compilation of the Adi Granth Sahib Ji was the greatest accomplishment of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. This great task was accomplished in 1604 A.D.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji contributed significantly towards the Masand system.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji encouraged the Sikhs the trade horses with the Arab countries.
He kept the doors of Sikhism open by nominating his successor.

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji:
A few facts related to the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji are as follows:

Causes:

Jahangir was an orthodox Sunni Muslim.
He could not tolerate the growing prosperity of Sikh Panth.
Prithi Chand, the elder brother of Guru Arjan Dev Ji had started hatching conspiracies to acquire the Gurgaddi.
Chandu Shah, the Diwan of Lahore wanted to take revenge for his insult from Guru Sahib Ji.
The Naqshbandis also instigated Jahangir against Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
The help extended to Shahzada Khusrau by Guru Arjan Dev Ji became the immediate cause of his martyrdom.

Martyrdom:

On Jahangir’s instructions, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was taken prisoner on 24th May 1606 A.D.
He was asked to pay a fine of rupees 2 lakhs which was refused.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred at Lahore on 30th May 1606 A.D.

Importance:

The martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji is considered to be an important incident in Sikh history.
Because he was the first Sikh Guru who gave his martyrdom he was called ‘Shaheedan de Sirtaj’.
As a consequence of this martyrdom, there came about a transformation in the form of Sikhism.
Guru Hargobind Ji decided to adopt a new policy of Miri and Piri.
The Sikhs began to unite in a single band.
The relations between the Sikhs and Mughals grew tense.
The era of Mughal atrocities bega.
Sikhism gained greater popularity than before.