In The Footsteps Of Guru Gobind Singh

On the life and achievements of Guru Gobind Singh, 1666-1708, 10th guru of the Sikhs.

This book encapsulates the exceptionally eventful and vibrant life of the guru that will provoke thought and debate even in today’s times. Guru Gobind Singh – Founder of the Khalsa; saint; warrior par excellence; poignant poet; philosopher; soulful human being – was the illustrious Tenth Guru of the Sikhs. This extensively researched book goes beyond the established events that broadly include the untimely assassination of Guru Teg Bahadur; Guru Gobind Singh’s coronation; the battles of Bhangani and Nadaun; his stay in Paonta and Anandpur; and the historic creation of the Khalsa. The book talks about other events that sought to widely establish the Khalsa including the battle of Nirmohgarh; the siege and evacuation of Anandpur; the battles of Chamkaur, Khidrana and Muktsar; his Zafarnama to Aurangzeb and subsequent meeting with Bahadur Shah Zafar in Agra. Most importantly, it provides some unknown facts about the anointment of the holy book of the Sikhs – the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal guiding light. Guru Gobind Singh’s prowess as a warrior of immense distinction is well-recorded, besides his understanding of military strategy and execution; the book brings to light his love for literature, scriptures and languages, his philosophical, judicious and humane thought, and is a tribute to the great saint and seeks to outline the historical life, times and events of Guru Gobind Singh in intricate details.

The guru-disciple relation is very ancient in India, here Guru is given an upper position than God. Guru is regarded as the path to achieving God. Sikh’s tenth and last Guru, Guru Gobind Singhji was born as a leader. At that time there were evils prevailing in the society like caste system, untouchability, idol worshipping etc. At this time the people needed a strong leader for which Guru Gobind Singhji took birth and he had struggled throughout his life to fighting against the injustice dealt out. The following e-Book gives an insight into Guru Gobind Singhji’s life.

The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak (1469–1539), who drew upon the teachings of Muslim, Sufis and Hindu Bhaktas. In its purest form Sikhism is about unity, simplicity, equality and surrender (to God), and the verses of the Sikh Gurus—most of them included in the Granth Sahib—articulate this beautifully. This elegantly illustrated edition contains a selection of verses from the Guru Granth Sahib and other sacred texts like Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Vairagmayi Bani and the Dasam Granth of Guru Gobind Singh. Brilliantly translated by Khushwant Singh, these moving mystical hymns retain the immediacy and the lyricism of the originals. In addition, vibrant and imaginative illustrations by Arpana Caur, one of India’s most celebrated artists, make this a collection to treasure.

The book attempts to trace the history of a “more than three centuries old” Sikh warrior who was not only close to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and fought in almost all major battles by his side and by Banda Singh Bahadur’s side but was also a scribe in the official durbar of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. After he attained martyrdom fighting Mughals in 1716, his successive generations continued to contribute and leave significant footprints in the annals of the Sikh history. To compose this book, the author collected information from various historical books and works of literature that pertained to his family, including documents left by his father.

Description: This work on the life and ideals of Guru Gobind Singh is a singular contribution on the subject, and is based on the original sources. The complete life of the Guru has been presented through two sources, viz., Bachittar Natak, an autobiography of the Guru upto AD 1696 and Sri Gur Sobha by the court-poet Sainapat, who completed his work in AD 1711, three years after the passing away of the Guru. The ideals of the Guru are revealed through the anecdotes of his life given in Sau Sakhi and Parchian Sewa Das, through the injunctions, Rahat Namas recorded by Bhai Prahlad Singh, Bhai Nand Lal, Bhai Desa Singh, Bhai Chaupa Singh and Bhai Daya Singh, and through the poetic compositions of the great preceptor which include Jap Sahib, Chaupai, Ten Sawayyas, Shabad Hazare, Zafar Nama, and Fateh Nama. These works have been rendered into English by the author himself. Thus this book brings forth the personality of the Guru through his own sayings and reveals him as a great reformer, litterateur, spiritual leader and an unparalleled warrior.