Guru Arjan Dev Ji built Sri Harmandir Sahib at the heart of Amritsar and in 1604 compiled the Adi Granth, bringing together the hymns of the Gurus and of saints from many backgrounds. The most prolific composer in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he wrote the Sukhmani Sahib, and in 1606 he was executed in Lahore under the emperor Jahangir — the first martyr of the Sikh faith.
- Born
- 1563, Goindwal, Punjab
- Parents
- Guru Ram Das Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji
- Guruship
- 1581–1606
- Martyrdom
- 1606, Lahore
- Family
- Wife Mata Ganga Ji; son Hargobind
Life
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was born in 1563 at Goindwal, the youngest son of Guru Ram Das Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji. He grew up among the sangat, close to his grandfather Guru Amar Das Ji, and became Guru in 1581. His elder brother Prithi Chand opposed the succession and remained a rival for years.
He completed the sarovar at Amritsar and built Sri Harmandir Sahib in its centre, with doors open on every side as a sign that all are welcome. Sikh tradition holds that the Sufi saint Mian Mir laid its foundation stone. He also founded Tarn Taran and other towns, and encouraged Sikhs to give a share of their earnings (dasvandh) for the common good.
In 1604 he completed the Adi Granth, with Bhai Gurdas as scribe. It brought together the hymns of the first five Gurus with those of bhagats and saints — Hindu and Muslim, from so-called high and low castes alike — arranged by raag. The Granth was installed in Sri Harmandir Sahib, with Baba Buddha Ji as its first granthi.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji is the largest single contributor to the scripture. His Sukhmani Sahib, the "jewel of peace", is among the most widely recited Sikh prayers.
The Guru's growing influence drew hostility. After Akbar's death, the new emperor Jahangir had the Guru arrested; Jahangir's own memoirs record his displeasure with the Guru. In 1606 Guru Arjan Dev Ji was tortured and executed in Lahore. Sikh tradition remembers that he bore his suffering calmly, accepting the Divine will. Before his death he named his young son Hargobind as his successor.
Historical context
Akbar's reign had allowed the Sikh community to grow in wealth and organisation. His successor Jahangir was less tolerant, and court politics — including Prince Khusrau's rebellion, whom the Guru was accused of blessing — became a pretext for action against the Guru. His martyrdom changed the direction of Sikh history.
Major contributions
Sri Harmandir Sahib
He built the Harmandir Sahib in the middle of the Amritsar sarovar, open on all four sides, as the central place of Sikh worship.
Compilation of the Adi Granth (1604)
He gathered, checked and arranged the hymns of the Gurus and of bhagats of many backgrounds into one scripture, installed at Harmandir Sahib in 1604.
Sukhmani Sahib
His Sukhmani Sahib is a long composition on peace of mind through remembrance of the Divine Name, recited daily by many Sikhs.
Community institutions
He encouraged dasvandh, founded towns such as Tarn Taran, and organised the sangat's resources for the common good.
First Sikh martyr
His execution in Lahore in 1606 made him the first martyr of the Sikh faith, an example of steadfastness under persecution.
Important events
- 1563
Birth at Goindwal Historical record
Born to Guru Ram Das Ji and Bibi Bhani Ji.
- 1581
Becomes the fifth Guru Historical record
Named Guru by his father, over the claims of his elder brother Prithi Chand.
- 1588
Foundation of Harmandir Sahib Traditional account
Work begins on Sri Harmandir Sahib; tradition holds that Mian Mir laid the foundation stone.
- 1590
Founding of Tarn Taran Historical record
He founds Tarn Taran with its large sarovar.
- 1604
The Adi Granth installed Historical record
The compiled Adi Granth, written by Bhai Gurdas, is installed at Harmandir Sahib with Baba Buddha Ji as granthi.
- 1606
Martyrdom in Lahore Historical record
Arrested on Jahangir's orders, the Guru is tortured and executed in Lahore.
- 1606
Peace under torture Traditional account
Tradition describes him seated on a hot iron plate, with burning sand poured over him, remaining calm and accepting the Divine will.
Teachings & Gurbani
The jewel of peace
Sukhmani Sahib teaches that the Divine Name is the jewel of peace that lives in devoted hearts — lasting calm grows from remembrance, not circumstance.
ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸੁਖ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ ਭਗਤ ਜਨਾ ਕੈ ਮਨਿ ਬਿਸ੍ਰਾਮ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Sukhmanee sukh amrit prabh naam. Bhagat janaa kai man bisraam.
The Divine Name is the jewel of peace, a nectar of comfort; it rests in the minds of the devoted.
ਰੱਬ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਦਾ ਰਤਨ ਹੈ, ਸੁਖ ਦਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਹੈ; ਇਹ ਭਗਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ।
Sweetness of the Divine will
He prayed that whatever the Divine does should feel sweet, asking only for the Name. His own martyrdom showed what that acceptance can mean.
ਤੇਰਾ ਕੀਆ ਮੀਠਾ ਲਾਗੈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਮਾਂਗੈ ॥੨॥੪੨॥੯੩॥
Teraa keeaa meethaa laagai. Har naam padaarath naanak maangai.
Whatever You do feels sweet to me. Nanak asks only for the treasure of the Divine Name.
ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਤੂੰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਿੱਠਾ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ। ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਮੰਗਦਾ ਹੈ।
No one is a stranger
He wrote that no one is his enemy and no one a stranger — the same spirit that brought saints of many faiths into one scripture.
ਨਾ ਕੋ ਬੈਰੀ ਨਹੀ ਬਿਗਾਨਾ ਸਗਲ ਸੰਗਿ ਹਮ ਕਉ ਬਨਿ ਆਈ ॥੧॥
Naa ko bairee nahee bigaanaa sagal sang ham kau ban aaee.
No one is my enemy, and no one is a stranger; I get along with everyone.
ਕੋਈ ਮੇਰਾ ਵੈਰੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਅਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਬੇਗਾਨਾ ਨਹੀਂ; ਮੇਰੀ ਸਭ ਨਾਲ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ।
Lessons for modern life
Truth has no boundaries
He included the words of Hindu and Muslim saints beside the Gurus'. Wisdom can be recognised wherever it appears.
Build for everyone
Harmandir Sahib's open doors are a model for welcoming spaces in communities and workplaces.
Calm under pressure
Steadfastness is not rage but inner stillness grounded in faith and principle.
Relevant places
- Sri Harmandir Sahib
Built under Guru Arjan Dev Ji; where the Adi Granth was first installed. - Gurdwara Dera Sahib
Marks the place of his martyrdom. - Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran
In the town he founded.
Further reading & sources
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
- Vaaran Bhai Gurdas
- The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University Patiala (ed. Harbans Singh)
- J.S. Grewal, The Sikhs of the Punjab (Cambridge University Press)