Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was born in June 1595 in the household of Mata Ganga Ji and Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. It was during the reign Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji that the Sikhs began to militarise leading to the Akalis, who were the predecessors of the contemporary Nihangs.

It was with the blessing of Baba Budha Ji that Sri Guru Hargobind Ji took birth. Mata Ganga Ji went to Baba Budha Ji to receive the boon of a son. Mata Ganga Ji had her helpers prepare a meal and led a grand procession on chariot to see Baba Budha Ji. When she asked Baba Budha Ji for a son, the great Sikh replied that he was a humble moral unable to grant divine blessing. Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji advised Mata Ganga Ji to again visit Baba Budha Ji but this time perform the duties herself. She prepared a meal with her own hands and walked barefoot to the residence of Baba Budha Ji. Although all Sikhs acknowledge that the Guru is the giver of all treasures, it would appear that the reason Mata Ganga Ji was told by Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji to receive the blessing of Baba Budha Ji was due to Baba Budha Ji's imminent link with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. As it was Baba Budha Ji who carried out the service of bestowing the Guru-ship upon the Sikh Gurus, by serving Baba Budha Ji Mata Ganga Ji and Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji were able to seek the blessing of the previous Gurus for the birth of their son. Having been pleased by the effort of Mata Ganga Ji upon her second efforts, Baba Budha Ji assured her that she would receive a son who would be pleasing to her heart, he also crushed an onion brought to him with his meal and proclaimed that as this onion had been crushed, so too would her son crush the heads of those who attacked him.


Within Sikh scripture the following shabad (hymn), written by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, is associated with the birth of the sixth Guru:

The True Guru has truly given a child. The long-lived one has been born to this destiny. He came to acquire a home in the womb, and his mother's heart is so very glad. ||1|| A son is born - a devotee of the Lord of the Universe. This pre-ordained destiny has been revealed to all. ||Pause|| In the tenth month, by the Lord's Order, the baby has been born. Sorrow is dispelled, and great joy has ensued. The companions blissfully sing the songs of the Guru's Bani. This is pleasing to the Lord Master. ||2|| The vine has grown, and shall last for many generations. The Power of the Dharma has been firmly established by the Lord. That which my mind wishes for, the True Guru has granted. I have become carefree, and I fix my attention on the One Lord. ||3|| As the child places so much faith in his father, I speak as it pleases the Guru to have me speak. This is not a hidden secret; Guru Nanak, greatly pleased, has bestowed this gift.
(Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 396)

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji ensured that their son received a thorough education in traditional arts and sciences of India, including the art of warfare. The trusted Sikhs Baba Budha Ji and Bhai Gurdas Ji, who was the paternal uncle of the fifth Guru, were responsible for the education of the young prince. Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was also trained in the art of Shastarvidiya by Baba Budha Ji who had received its knowledge from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. S.J.S Pall writes that;

'The Guru had received considerable martial training from Baba Budha Ji, the most venerated Sikh during the period of first six Gurus.' (The Beloved Forces of the Guru, page 25)

The philosophy and simple teachings of the Sikh Gurus grew ever more popular and Muslim and Hindu devotees alike flocked to gain the blessed vision of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. In his memoirs (Tuzuk-i-Jahangari), Emperor Jahangir declared his desire to either destroy the movement of the Gurus or bring them within the fold of Islam. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was arrested and taken to Lahore in 1606 where he was publically tortured and put to death while uttering the divine words;

'Everything you (Vaheguru) do seems sweet to me. I beg for the treasure of the Lords name from Nanak.' (Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 394)


Before leaving for Lahore Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji had instructed their son thoroughly on the course that the Sikhs were to be lead on. At the young age of eleven, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib assumed the Guruship. The intolerance towards and violence inflicted upon the peaceful Gurus forced the Sikhs to take steps towards becoming an autonomous community able to defend itself from tyranny and injustice. Thus the sixth Guru combined spirituality and temporal authority - bhakti and shakti, which was symbolised by the two swords worn by the Guru that were presented by Budha Ji in the ceremony investing the Guruship. These two swords came to be popularly known as miri  piri, referring to spiritual power and temporal power respectively. Amandeep Singh Madra and Parmjit Singh write;

'But far from crushing the Sikh community as had been intended, the devastating loss of their fifth Guru awoke a fighting spirit in the community that would never die.' (Warrior Saints, page 5)

In order to conduct secular affairs Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji had the Akaal Takht (Throne of the Timeless Being) constructed across from Sri Harimandir Sahib which later came to be known as the Golden Temple. At the Akal Takht (also known as Akal Boonga) the Guru boldly had a throne constructed which was higher than the throne of Emperor Jahangir. The Akal Takht signified both Sikh independence and freedom from oppression. For the protection of the Akal Bunga and defence of the Sikhs the Guru created the Akal Sena, Army of the Immortal, whose warriors were known as Akali (immortal) and later Nihang (without fear). Dr Vir Singh writes;

'Akal Bunga was established by the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, and the foundation of 'Akali' was also laid down at the same time... Akali would be clad in blue clothes.' (Satwant Kaur, page 152)

Baba Bidhi Chand, Baba Jaitta, Baba Piara and Baba Pirana each commanded a battalion of Akali warriors. The Akalis were distinguished from other Sikhs in that their spiritual lifestyle and devotion contained martial elements and heavy emphasis was placed on chivalry. With their mind, body and soul the Akalis served the Guru and their lives were at the mercy of the Guru. Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib had given them unique compositions to read such as the 'Braham Kavich', meaning armour of God, which Nihangs still read today. The majority of Sikhs however, were not warriors and lived common lives. They were family orientated, and lived at their respective homes.  They would support the Sikh military by making donations of money, horses, weapons and other goods to the Guru.

The Akalis initially served as a policing force and bodyguard unit of the Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib. They received their training at place where now stands the Burj (tower) of Akali Phula Singh and Gurdwara Mul Akhara Sahib. Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib would also go to the training session of the Akalis and participate in wrestling, grappling and sparring. The place came be to known as the 'mul akhara' - martial arts school of brave wrestlers. The Guru involved himself in all sorts of Kshatri (warrior) traditions including falconry and hunting. The traditions of hunting animals and performing Jhatka (killing with one blow) on animals such as goats where practised during the time of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji  and are still practised by the Nihangs and other Sikhs. Bhai Gurdas Ji writes;

'Earlier Gurus remained seated and taught others to be content, this Guru keeps dogs and goes hunting.' (Vaar 26, Pauri 24)

Giani Gian Singh describes the Gurus hunting trips;

'Around midday the Guru would again bathe, dress in new clothes and adorn themselves with various weapons and armoury. They would take a hawk in their hand, gather their soldiers together and set off. They would hunt various animals, race their horses and perform many other such deeds. They would often stay for a few days and then return to meet the congregation. When the Guru was not hunting they would have their warriors wrestle and indulge in other such martial activities.' (Tvarikh Guru Khalsa, Part 1, page 441)


The actions of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji unsettled the powers within India and those envious of the Guru tricked Emperor Jahangir to imprison them for some time. Upon the Gurus release he was greeted by Baba Budha Ji who was accompanied by a ontrauge of horseman. Upon seeing the devotion of Baba Budha Ji and the royal battalions which had accompanied him, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib was greatly pleased and granted the following boon;

"Baba Budha Ji you have performed a great service in the Gurus house. You shall forever be remembered in the world, in your name will run the supreme Khalsa army."
(Nihang Baba Jarnail Singh Akali, Audio Recording July 2006)

From this divine saying of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji the foundation was laid for what would later come to be known as the Budha Dal, which would ensure that the great name of Baba Budha Ji would forever be remembered in this world. The sixth Guru also negotiated the release of 52 Rajput princes who had also been imprisoned at Gwallior Fort. Thus, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji acquired the the title 'Bandi Chorr' - saviour/liberator.

The arrival of the Guru's party in Amritsar coincided with the festival of light - Diwali, the entire city rejoiced in celebration of the return of the radiant Guru after 12 years. The Rajput princes were greatly indebted to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji to whom they rendered their devotion. Being experts in warfare, it is likely that the Rajput princes may have leant some assistance in the training of the Akal Sena. The Akal Sena would not have to mobilise in warfare some time as Emperor Jahangir resumed his friendship with Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji which had built up during the Guru's stay in Delhi, prior to their imprisonment. The two held great discourse on philosophy, morality and spirituality and would also jointly hunt. The Queen Nur Jehan also visited Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji for advice and consultation. The great Muslim saint and devout admirer of the Sikh Gurus 'Mian Mir' was an important orchestrator of the harmony between the Sikhs and the Mughals.

Unfortunately, the cordial relations were disturbed after the death of Emperor Jahangir and the becoming of Shah Jehan as the Emperor in 1627. The first battle between the Akal Sena and imperial forces was fought in 1628. In 1928, the Akalis were out hunting, the Mughals happened to be hunting nearby and one of their hawks flew into the Sikh camp.  As the hawk had flown into their camp, the Akalis claimed it as their own and refused to return it. Under the alleged reason of getting the royal hawk released from the Sikhs an expedition of 7,000 men was deployed by the Mughal forces to Amritsar with their destination being the Akal Boongah. Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji did not want to make the holy area around the Akal Boonga and Harimandar Sahib a battleground. The Guru was busy making preparations for the wedding of their daughter Bibi Viro, however; they left the vicinity of the holy shrines in order to fight the battle which took place at Gumtala, then a suburb of Amritsar.

This was to be the first great military test of Gurus Akalis, the Sikhs comprehensively defeated to royal forces and inflicted severe casualties upon them. Having had their commanders killed and their army near destroyed; the remaining Mughals fled the battleground. Being outnumbered and less experienced, the odds were greatly against the Sikh army; however, they suffered very few casualties in their first battle. This victory resulted in increasing strength and confidence amongst the Gurus Sikhs. More Sikhs were inspired to learn shastarvidiya in order to be able to provide a reserve fighting force for the Akalis. Many people came to the Guru and joined his forces because they felt that no one else had the power to stand against the Emperor. The martial skills of the Sikhs would again be called into practise. Khuswant Singh writes;

'Two years later he (Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji) had a second clash with the imperial troops. The Mughals were badly mauled by the Sikhs.' ( A History of the Sikhs, Volume 1, page 62)

There were four battles between the Sikhs and the Mughals during the reign of the sixth Guru fought at Amritsar, Hargobindpur, Mehraj, Kartarpur. One one occasion Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's own erstwhile Pathan follower, Painde Khan, led out a Mughal force against the Guru. Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and the Akal Sena only fought in each time only in retaliation to enemy attacks. The Gurus own princes also fought valiantly in the battlefield. So great was the skill of the Gurus youngest son that he became known as 'Tegh Bahadur',and after a period of renunciation was to

'Before these encounters, the Mughal armies were widely regarded as invincible, but Guru Har Gobind and his Akalis inflicted humuiliating losses in each successive battle.'
(Warrior Saints, page 5)

Despite living the lifestyle of a warrior, the Akalis paid great attention to spiritual discipline by devoting much time to reading prayers, meditating, and performing selfless service etc. This is important to note as without developing an understanding of Dharam (righteousness) by living a life of dharam, then how can one defend dharam? In this respect S.J.S. Pall notes;

'Although the Akalis were the soldiers of the Guru's Army and the had fought for him in four battles... they continued to follow the philosophy of worshipping one God, Akal, and attend regular religious congregation. The Guru himself led the congregation for singing the praises of the Almighty.' (The Beloved Forces of the Guru, page 26)

Many Sikhs performed great acts of courage and heroics in the service of the Sikh faith. One of the most revered Sikhs from the period of the sixth Guru is Baba Bidhi Chand Ji, from the village of Chinna, who was also blessed with the royal title of 'Bahadur' by the Guru. The descendants of Baba Bidhi Chand Ji today form one of the most prominent Nihang Singh battalions. Giani Pritam Singh writes of the great warrior;

Bhai Bidhi Chand fought in all four battles alongside the Guru as a General in the army, in this way he showed his greatness as a warrior. (Sankeph Jivan Ithihas Baba Bidhi Chand Ji, page 46)

Baba Bidhi Chand Ji also famously released two horses (Dilbagh and Gulbagh)  from the Mughals at Lahore. The two fine mares belonged to a Sikh from Kabul who was bringing them as and offering to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The Mughals had seized them and Bhai Bidhi Chand took the bold task of rescuing them. He rescued the first horse in guise of a grass cutter and the second as a fortune teller. Kavi Santokh Singh writes that so pleased was the Guru that they uttered:

"Bidhi Chand Chinna is one with the Guru, he will forever enjoy the essence of the Guru."
(Gurpartap Suraj Granth, Ras 7, Ansu 37)


All over India places where Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji visited or rested are marked by Gurdwara Sahibs. One of the most famous of these is Gurdwara Damdama Sahib Patshahi 6 in the village of Raqba, Ludhiana. This Gurdwara Sahib has for years been a stronghold on Nihang Singhs and is currently being ran under the guidance of Jathedar Baba Joginder Singh Ji. Sikhs from all over the world come to pay homage at this shrine where it is believed Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji still resides with their army of immortals. The late Sant Niranjan Singh Ji (Vaid Ji) who resided in the neighbouring village of Boparai, writes about the specialness of the Gurdwara Sahib in Raqba;

While travelling through the forests of Malwa, the performer of Bandhi Chor (liberator of the bound) Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji came and rested on this site. They awoke the good destiny of this land. Satguru divinely stated that whatever woman or man comes to this shrine with humility and performs selfless service and indulges in the remembrance of God will have their minds hope and prayers fulfilled. Even today these divine words of the Guru hold remain true.'
(Sankeph Ithihas Gurdwara Damdama Sahib Patshahi 6, Raqba, page 5)

Towards the end of ther life, the Guru kept a small army men with them. They trained their grandson Hari Rai in the use of weapons and in spiritual matters and then appointed Guru Har Rai as the next Guru, bowing before Sri Guru Har Rai Ji, the sixth Guru left for the heavenly abode in 1644.

Sri Guru Har Rai Ji also kept a small army and a contingent of closely armed personnel; the Akalis were again the close soldiers of Sikh Guru. There was relative peace between the Mughals and the Sikhs which was strengthened  when Sri Guru Har Rai had provided an herbal remedy which cured the serious illness being suffered by Shah Jehan's eldest son Dara Shikoh. This peace would continue until the bigoted Auarangzeb would assume the Mughal throne and begin persecuting those who would not convert to to the narrow and intolerant Islam which he represented. The Akalis would again rise to the challenge and the Sikhs would once again take to arms in defence of themselves and others, this time under the leadership of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji - the grandson of the sixth Guru.