Chapter: 6 Guru Arjan Dev Ji and His Martyrdom
1)
When was Guru Arjan Dev Ji born?
15th April, 1563 AD
2)
Where was Guru Arjan Dev Ji born?
At Goindwal Sahib
3)
What was the name of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's father?
Guru Ram Das Ji
4)
What was the name of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's mother?
Bibi Bhani Ji
5)
How was Guru Amar Das Ji related to Guru Arjan Dev Ji?
Guru Amar Das Ji was Maternal
Grandfather of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
6)
What did Guru Amar Das predict at the time of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's birth?
He predicted, “My grandson will be a
great scholar of Bani.”
7)
What was the name of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's wife?
Ganga Devi Ji
8)
What was the name of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's son?
Hargobind Ji
9)
When was Hargobind Ji born?
1595 AD
10)
When did Guru Arjan Dev Ji get the Guruship?
1581 AD
11)
How many brothers did Guru Arjan Dev Ji have?
2, Pirthi Chand, Mahadev Ji
12)
Who was Pirthi Chand?
Elder Brother of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
13)
Which sect was founded by Pirthi Chand?
Meena
14)
Where was the “Nakshbandi” movement founded?
At Sarhind
15)
Who was the leader of “Nakshbandi” movement?
Sheikh Ahmed Sarhandi
16)
Who was Chandu Shah?
Diwan of Lahore
17)
What is meant by “Harimandir’?
The Temple of God
18)
Where was the Golden Temple established?
At Sri Amritsar Sahib
19)
The Golden Temple was built in the middle of which Sarovar?
In the middle of Amritsarovar
20)
When was the foundation of Golden Temple laid?
13 January 1588
21)
Who laid the foundation stone of Golden Temple?
Sain Miyan Meer Ji
22)
How many doors of Golden Temple were installed?
4
23)
When was the construction of the Golden Temple completed?
1601 AD
24)
Who established the Tarn Taran Sahib?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
25)
When was Tarn Taran Sahib established?
1590 AD
26)
Write the names of any two cities established by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Kartarpur and Hargobindpur
27)
In which district is Kartarpur Sahib located?
Jalandhar
28)
What is the meaning of Kartarpur?
The Town of God
29)
Which sarovar was constructed at Kartarpur Sahib?
Gangsar
30)
On which occassion did Guru Arjan Dev Ji establish Hargobindpur?
On the occasion of Birth of Hargobind
Ji
31)
When was Hargobindpur Sahib established?
1595 AD
32)
Where did Guru Arjan Dev Ji build the Baoli?
Dabbi Bazaar, Lahore
33)
Who established the Masand system?
Guru Ram Das Ji
34)
When did the Masand system really develop?
At the time of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
35)
The word ‘Masand’ belongs to which language?
Persian
36)
The word ‘Masand’ is derived from which Persian word?
Masnad
37)
What does the word ‘Masnad’ mean?
High Place
38)
Who compiled Adi Granth Sahib?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
39)
Where was the Adi Granth Sahib compiled?
At Sri Amritsar Sahib
40)
On the bank of which sarovar, the Adi Granth Sahib was compiled?
Ramsar
41)
Who wrote the Bani in Aad Granth Sahib?
Bhai Gurdas Ji
42)
In which year the compilation of Aad Granth Sahib started?
1601 AD
43)
In which year was the compilation of Aad Granth Sahib completed?
1604 AD
44)
When was the Adi Granth Sahib installed in the Golden Temple?
16 August 1604 AD
45)
How many ‘Angas’ (Pages) are there in Adi Granth Sahib?
1430
46)
In how many ragas was the Bani recorded in Adi Granth Sahib?
31
47)
In which script is the Adi Granth Sahib written?
Gurmukhi Script
48)
In the beginning, the Bani of how many Guru Sahibs wes there in Adi Granth
Sahib?
First Five Guru Sah
49)
In the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Bani of which Guru Sahib was included
in Adi Granth Sahib?
Guru Teg Bahadur
50)
What status did Guru Gobind Singh Ji give to Adi Granth Sahib?
The Status of Guru
51)
Which Guru Sahib contributed the highest number of Hymns to Adi Granth Sahib?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
52)
When was Guru Arjan Dev Ji martyred?
30th May 1606 AD
53)
Which Mughal emperor was resposible for martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji?
Jahangir
54)
When did Jahangir ascended to the throne?
1605 AD
55)
What is the name of Jahangir's autobiography?
Tuzak-i-Jahangiri
3 Marks Question Answer.
Q.
1 Who were the Naxalites? Why did they oppose Guru Arjan dev?
Answer: Naqshbandi was a movement of
radical Muslims. Its main center was at Sirhind. The main leader of this
movement was Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi. This movement could not tolerate the
progress of any religion other than Islam. When they saw the growing influence
of Guru Arjan, they could not stand it. So they started opposing Guru Sahib.
Q.
2 Who was Chandu Shah? Why did he become an enemy of Guru Arjan dev?
Answer: Chandu Shah was the Diwan of
Lahore. He was looking for a suitable groom for his daughter. Some people
advised him to have a relationship with her daughter Hargobind, the son of Guru
Arjan. He didn't like it. He uttered some insulting words against Guru Sahib.
Later, at the request of his wife, he agreed to have a relationship. He sent
his messengers to Guru Sahib's house to have intercourse. By this time the
sangat had come to know the words spoken against Guru Sahib. He told Guru Sahib
not to have intercourse. Guru Sahib refused to have intercourse. Chandu Shah
felt very humiliated. He also offered dowry to Guru Sahib but Guru Ji did not
give up. So he became a mortal enemy of Guru Sahib.
Q.
3 Write a brief note on Golden Temple.
Answer: The Golden Temple was built
by Guru Arjan dev ji. The foundation of the Golden Temple was laid on 13
January 1588 AD by Sai Mian Mir. The construction of the Golden Temple was
completed in 1601 AD. Guru Arjun dev Ji established the Golden Temple in the
middle of Amritsar Sarovar. The word Harimandar is a combination of the two
words Hari and Mandir, meaning the temple of God. Guru Sahib placed one door in
each of the four directions of the Golden Temple. This meant that people from
all four directions could enter the Golden Temple without any discrimination.
Guru Sahib announced that a visitor to the Golden Temple would be rewarded for
visiting 68 Hindu shrines. The Golden Temple soon became a popular pilgrimage
site for the Sikhs.
Q.
4 Write a brief note on Tarn Taran Sahib.
Answer: Tarn Taran Sahib was
established by Guru Arjan dev ji. The main purpose of the establishment of Tarn
Taran Sahib was to propagate Sikhism in the area of Majha. It was established
in 1590 AD.A sarovar called Tarn Taran was also constructed here. Guru Arjan
Dev Ji announced that whoever bathes in this Sarovar will cross this Bhavsagar.
Tarn Taran Sahib became a popular preaching center of the Sikhs and many Jatts
of Majha converted to Sikhism.
Q.
5 What do you know about masand system?
Answer: The masand system was
established by Guru Ram Das Ji. The word masand is derived from the Persian
word masnad which means high place. The development of Sikhism accelerated
during the time of Guru Arjan dev. The need for Maya for langar and development
works increased. At this time Guru Sahib started the tradition of Dasvandh.
Masands preached Sikhism in their area and collected Dasvandh from the Sikhs.
Those who lived a simple and pious life were appointed to the post of masand.
They worked hard for their livelihood and even considered it a sin to take a
penny from the Maya collected for the Guru's house. The collected Maya was
presented to Guru Sahib at Sri Amritsar Sahib during Vaisakhi and Diwali. The
masand system proved to be very useful in the propagation and development of
Sikhism. Masands later became very powerful and corrupt. Guru Gobind Singh,
therefore, abolished the system.
Q.
6 Write a brief note on Adi Granth Sahib.
Answer: The Adi Granth Sahib is the
central religious book of the Sikhs. It was compiled by Guru Arjan dev. Adi
Granth Sahib is known as Guru Granth Sahib. It was compiled on the banks of
Ramsar Sarovar at Sri Amritsar Sahib. Guru Arjan Dev Ji went to write the Bani
and Bhai Gurdas Ji started writing. It took about 3 years to compile. The Guru
Granth Sahib contains the hymns of six Gurus, 15 Hindu devotees and Sufi
saints. Apart from this, the hymns of 11 Bhatts are also inscribed in it. The
Adi Granth Sahib is considered to be an integral part of the life of the Sikhs.
Every Sikh lives his life guided by it. It also gives us valuable information
about the political, social, religious and economic situation of Punjab in the
15th to 17th centuries. Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave the status of Guru
to Adi Granth Sahib.
Q.
7 How did the Sikhs benefit from trading horses?
Answer: Guru Arjan encouraged the
Sikhs to trade in horses. By trading horses:
1. Sikhs became good traders. Their
economic situation improved.
2. They became good riders.
3. The horse trade has shattered the
Hindu superstition that crossing the sea corrupts one's religion.
Q.
8 What were the relations of Guru Arjan dev with the Mughals?
Answer: Guru Sahib's relations with
Akbar were friendly. Akbar did not interfere in the management of Sri Amritsar
Sahib. Guru Sahib's opponents Prithi Chand, Chandu Shah, Naqshbandis and
fanatical Brahmins tried to turn Akbar's ears against Guru Sahib but Akbar did
not pay attention to their words. At the behest of Guru Sahib, Akbar reduced
the levy of Punjab farmers by 10 per cent. After Akbar, Jahangir ascended the
throne. He was a staunch Sunni Muslim. He fell into the trap of Guru Sahib's
opponents and had Guru Arjan dev martyred.
Q.
9 What were the main reasons for the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji?
Answer: Due
to the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji:
1. Jahangir's religious bigotry was a
major cause of Guru Sahib's martyrdom.
2. The development of Sikhism
accelerated during the time of Guru Arjan dev. The Mughals did not like this.
3. Due to non-receipt of Guruship,
Prithi Chand became the enemy of Guru Arjan dev. He conspired against Guru
Sahib.
4. Diwan Chandu Shah of Lahore was a
mortal enemy of Guru Sahib.
5. After rebelling against his father
Jahangir, Prince Khusrau came to Guru Sahib for help. This became the immediate
cause of Guru Sahib’s martyrdom.
Q.
10 Write the significance of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Answer: Significance
of Guru Arjan's Martyrdom
1. The martyrdom of Guru Arjan dev
had a profound effect on the mind of Guru Hargobind. He started the policy of
Miri and Peeri.
2. After the martyrdom of Guru Arjan
dev, the Sikhs realized that unity among the Sikhs was necessary to face the
tyranny of the Mughals. So they began to gather quickly.
3. After the martyrdom of Guru Sahib,
relations between the Sikhs and the Mughals deteriorated and the two became
enemies of each other.
4. Due to the martyrdom of Guru
Sahib, the popularity of Sikhism increased a lot.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (6 MARKS)
Question
1. Write notes on the life of Guru Arjan and his contribution to the Sikh
Panth.
ANSWER:
BIRTH AND LIFE: - He belonged to the Khatri family of the Sodhi caste.
He married Ganga Devi, daughter of Krishna Chand, a resident of Mau village
(Phillaur). In 1595 AD, a child was born in his house named Hargobind.
Prithiya, who was Aap Ji's elder brother, considered himself entitled to the Guruship,
but seeing his service, devotion and humility, Guru Ram Das appointed his
successor in 1581 AD. Thus he became the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.
Contribution to the Sikh Panth: Guru Arjan held the Guruship from
1581 AD to 1606 AD. His enthronement ushered in a new era. Guru Sahib did many
things for the development of the Sikh Panth, the details of which are as
follows.
1. Construction of Golden Temple: The greatest work of Guru Arjan was the construction of Golden Temple. Guru Sahib laid the foundation of the Golden Temple in the middle of the Amrit Sarovar on 13 January 1588 AD by the Sufi saint Mian Mir Ji. One door was built around it so that people of all religions and castes could come from all directions without any discrimination. The construction of the Golden Temple was completed in 1601 AD. The Golden Temple soon became a popular pilgrimage site for the Sikhs.
2. Establishment of Tarn Taran, Kartarpur and Hargobindpur: Guru Sahib established the town of
Tarn Taran in 1590 AD to propagate the Sikh faith in the area of Majha, where
he also dug a tank called Tarn Taran. In 1593, he established the town of
Kartarpur in Jalandhar district, which means 'City of God’. Guru Sahib founded
the town of Hargobindpur in 1595 AD in celebration of the birth of his son
3. Construction of Baoli at Lahore: At the request of the
Sikh community, Guru Sahib had a Baoli built at Dabbi Bazar, Lahore, which
became a popular pilgrimage site for the Sikhs.
4. Development of Masand system: Masand is derived from
the Persian word masnad, which means high place. Maya and other items collected
by Sikh devotees for langar were called masands. After a long time these
masands became corrupt due to which Guru Gobind Singh Ji abolished the masand practice.
5. Compilation of Aad Granth Sahib: The purpose of compilation of this Granth was to collect the Bani of Guru
Sahibs and to give a separate religious scripture to the Sikhs. Bhai Gurdas Ji
wrote the Bani. This great work was completed in 1604 AD. The Bani of the first
five Gurus was recorded and later the Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur was included.
6. Appointment of Successor: In 1606 AD, Guru Ji
appointed his son Guru Hargobind as his successor before giving his martyrdom.
The Guru also ordered him to be armed and keep an army. In this way the Guru
also maintained the tradition of the Guruship.
Question 2. Write a note on the reasons for the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Answer: In 1606 AD, Guru Arjan gave
his martyrdom for the sake of religion and truth. This martyrdom had a profound
effect on the Sikh movement. There were several reasons for the martyrdom of
Guru Arjan which are as follows.
1. Jahangir's religious bigotry: Jahangir's religious bigotry became the main reason for the martyrdom of
Guru Arjan. After Akbar's death in 1605 AD, Jahangir became the new king of the
Mughals, a staunch Sunni Muslim. He could not stand the growing power of the
Sikhs which led to the torture and martyrdom of Guru Arjan at Lahore.
2. Development of the Sikh Panth: Guru Arjan made a great
contribution to the development of the Sikh Panth. The Guru encouraged the
construction of the Golden Temple, Tarn Taran, Kartarpur, Hargobindpura, the
establishment of the masand system, and the trade of horses. With this people started
calling Guru Ji as ‘Sacha Patshah’ which Jahangir did not tolerate at all and
these deeds of Guru Ji became the main reason for his martyrdom.
3. Enmity of Prithi Chand: Prithi Chand was the elder brother of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He was very angry with Guru Ji for not getting the Guruship. He thought of the Guruship for his son Miharban, but when Hargobind was born, his dream was shattered. Angered by this, he joined hands with the Mughals and started conspiring against the Guru. Which caused a lot of trouble for the Guru.
4. Enmity of Chandu Shah: Chandu Shah was the Diwan of Lahore.
He wanted to marry his daughter to a noble family. Someone asked him to have a
relationship for Guru Arjan Dev Ji's son Hargobind. He inadvertently uttered
bad words against Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The Guru refused for this relationship. Angered
by this, Chandu Shah became Guru Ji's enemy and began to fill Jahangir's ears.
5. Opposition to Naqshbandis: The main center of
Naqshbandis was Sirhind. Their chief leader was Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi who could
not stand the growing power of the Sikhs in the Punjab. He ordered Jahangir to
take stern action against the Guru and the Sikhs. So Jahangir decided to take
action against Guru Sahib.
6. Help of Khusrau: The help of Guru Arjan Dev Ji to
Prince Khusrau became the immediate cause of his martyrdom. Prince Khusrau was
the eldest son of Jahangir. Guru Sahib blessed him with a tilak on his forehead
and sent him to Kabul with military assistance. When Jahangir came to know of
this, he sent his troops to arrest the Guru and torture him to death.
