Mark Cagnon

So he calls for his arrest. Guru Arjun is arrested and ordered to convert to Islam, but he refuses. And after days of brutal torture, He's executed, becoming the first Sikh martyr.

So he calls for his arrest. Guru Arjun is arrested and ordered to convert to Islam, but he refuses. And after days of brutal torture, He's executed, becoming the first Sikh martyr.

His death marks a turning point in Sikh history, shifting the community from this sort of peaceful religious group towards one that would soon adopt a stronger, more organized, almost like a militaristic stance for self-defense and survival. So after his execution, his son, the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, takes a new direction, you could say. I mean, he just saw his father get executed.

His death marks a turning point in Sikh history, shifting the community from this sort of peaceful religious group towards one that would soon adopt a stronger, more organized, almost like a militaristic stance for self-defense and survival. So after his execution, his son, the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, takes a new direction, you could say. I mean, he just saw his father get executed.

So he introduces the concept of miripiri. I'm assuming that's how you pronounce it. Again, I'm not an expert here. But this Miripiri or the Miripiri holds a balance of spiritual and worldly power. Again, to symbolize this, he wore two swords, one for the spiritual authority and then also one for the temporal earthly authority. And again, this guru builds the Akal Takht.

So he introduces the concept of miripiri. I'm assuming that's how you pronounce it. Again, I'm not an expert here. But this Miripiri or the Miripiri holds a balance of spiritual and worldly power. Again, to symbolize this, he wore two swords, one for the spiritual authority and then also one for the temporal earthly authority. And again, this guru builds the Akal Takht.

This is basically the throne of the timeless one. And it's directly across from the Golden Temple. And it becomes the seat of the Sikh political leadership and justice, basically complementing the spiritual role of the temple itself. Right. Again, you have this duality of the spiritual sort of cosmic relationship and then also the political earthly relationship.

This is basically the throne of the timeless one. And it's directly across from the Golden Temple. And it becomes the seat of the Sikh political leadership and justice, basically complementing the spiritual role of the temple itself. Right. Again, you have this duality of the spiritual sort of cosmic relationship and then also the political earthly relationship.

And he actually organizes a standing army and then starts to lead several successful defensive battles against the Mughals of the region. And even while preparing for conflict, Guru Hargobind didn't abandon the core values.

And he actually organizes a standing army and then starts to lead several successful defensive battles against the Mughals of the region. And even while preparing for conflict, Guru Hargobind didn't abandon the core values.

Again, I'm sure you're thinking like, okay, you have this religion of peace and tolerance and all people are welcome and accepted, but then some type of militaristic aim to defend themselves. How are these compatible?

Again, I'm sure you're thinking like, okay, you have this religion of peace and tolerance and all people are welcome and accepted, but then some type of militaristic aim to defend themselves. How are these compatible?

So what he does to promote this religious tolerance, he builds a mosque for local Muslims who didn't have a place to worship as just an example or a token of his commitment to justice and equality for all faiths. And then you have Guru Hargobin's grandson. And again, I'm sure that I'm skirting over a lot of this.

So what he does to promote this religious tolerance, he builds a mosque for local Muslims who didn't have a place to worship as just an example or a token of his commitment to justice and equality for all faiths. And then you have Guru Hargobin's grandson. And again, I'm sure that I'm skirting over a lot of this.

This is just a general summary of all the gurus and all the major things that they did. And then that brings us to Guru Hargobin. And he becomes the seventh guru and continues this balance of strength, but also compassion. So while he upholds the sort of military traditions of his grandfather, he places a greater focus on peace and service.

This is just a general summary of all the gurus and all the major things that they did. And then that brings us to Guru Hargobin. And he becomes the seventh guru and continues this balance of strength, but also compassion. So while he upholds the sort of military traditions of his grandfather, he places a greater focus on peace and service.

He actually establishes an herbal medicine center that offers treatment to anyone in need, not only Sikhs, but anyone, regardless of their gender or their religion or their social status. So during this time, there's a smallpox outbreak and his remedies were used to treat the son of the Mughal emperor.

He actually establishes an herbal medicine center that offers treatment to anyone in need, not only Sikhs, but anyone, regardless of their gender or their religion or their social status. So during this time, there's a smallpox outbreak and his remedies were used to treat the son of the Mughal emperor.

Again, the Mughals typically were not sick, but still he's helping the people that are affected with smallpox. This act of compassion stands out. And given the political tension between the Sikh community and the Mughal rulers, it creates more peace and harmony amongst them. And then after his leadership, it takes us to the youngest guru. This is Guru Har Krishan.

Again, the Mughals typically were not sick, but still he's helping the people that are affected with smallpox. This act of compassion stands out. And given the political tension between the Sikh community and the Mughal rulers, it creates more peace and harmony amongst them. And then after his leadership, it takes us to the youngest guru. This is Guru Har Krishan.