(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)

Born in Samvat 1711 Bikrami in the city of Sri Keeratpur Sahib Ji, Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji was the eighth Guru of Sikhs. He was son of seventh Guru, Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji.

When Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji was the Guru, the King of India, Aurangzeb summoned him to his court. Guru Ji sent his elder son Ram Rai to Aurangzeb’s court. Ram Rai was a child of 10-11 years. He stayed for a long period in Delhi and used to attend the court of the King. By his wisdom, he earned respect for him in the court.

Once, there was a discussion on a line of the Gurbani ‘Mitti Musalmaan Kee‘. Ram Rai was asked to explain why the word ‘Musalmaan’ was used in that line. Instead giving a suitable explanation, Ram Rai replied that the exact word was ‘Be-imaan’, not ‘Musalmaan’. Thus, he made a serious mistake by changing the Gurbani.

When Guru Har Rai Ji heard this, he discarded his son forever.

Before leaving for his divine abode, Guru Har Rai Ji appointed his younger son, Sri Guru Harkrishan Ji the next Guru. Ram Rai was not happy to know this. He indulged himself in conspiracies against Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji. In a result, Aurangzeb summoned him to his court in Delhi, the capital city.

However, Guru Ji reached Delhi, but he refused to meet the King Aurangzeb. When Aurangzeb came to know this, he went himself to meet Guru Ji in Guru’s camp. Guru Ji again refused to meet him. Divaan Dargah Mal Ji, a Sikh, had to talk to Aurangzeb. After that, the King returned.

(Guru) Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, the youngest son of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, reached village ‘Bakaala’ from his long journey. Guru Harkrishan Ji appointed him the next Guru and said to his Sikhs, “Baba Basai Graam Bakaale” (Grandfather lives in village Bakaala). Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji was grandfather (brother of real grandfather) of Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji.

In Samvat 1721 Bikrami, when he was just 8 years old, Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji left for his heavenly abode in Delhi.