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Guru Arjan Dev

Guru Arjan
ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ
Carved portrait of Guru Arjan at Amritsar.jpg
Portrait Carved on Gold
Gurdwara Lachi Ber, Amritsar
Born 15 April 1563 (1563-04-15)
Goindval, Tarn Taran district, Mughal Empire (Present day India)
Died 30 May 1606(1606-05-30) (aged 43)
Lahore, Mughal Empire (Present day Pakistan)
Other names The Fifth Master
Years active 1581–1606
Known for
Predecessor Guru Ram Das
Successor Guru Hargobind
Spouse(s) Mata Ganga
Children Guru Hargobind
Parent(s) Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani

Guru Arjan ([ɡʊru əɾdʒən]; 15 April 1563 – 30 May 1606) was the first martyr of the Sikh faith and the fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus, who compiled writings to create the eleventh, the living Guru, Guru Granth Sahib. He was born in Goindval, Punjab the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Mata Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das. He was the first Guru in Sikhism who was born in a Sikh family.

Guru Arjan led Sikhism for a quarter of a century. He completed the construction of Harimandir Sahib at Amritsar, after the fourth Sikh Guru founded the town and built a pool. Guru Arjan compiled the hymns of previous Gurus and of other saints into Adi Granth, the first edition of the Sikh scripture, and installed it in the Harimandir Sahib.

Guru Arjan reorganized the Masands system initiated by Guru Ram Das, by suggesting that the Sikhs donate, if possible, one tenth of their income, goods or service to the Sikh organization (dasvand). The Masand not only collected these funds but also taught tenets of Sikhism and settled civil disputes in their region. The dasvand financed the building of gurdwaras and langars (shared communal kitchens).

Guru Arjan was arrested under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and asked to convert to Islam. He refused, was tortured and executed in 1606 CE. Historical records and the Sikh tradition are unclear whether Guru Arjan was executed by drowning or died during torture. His martyrdom is considered a watershed event in the history of Sikhism.

Arjan was the son of Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru in Sikhism.


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