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Hargobind

Guru Hargobind Singh (1595–1644) was the sixth Sikh Guru, succeeding his father, Guru Arjan, in 1606 after Arjan’s martyrdom. He is remembered for introducing a martial dimension to Sikhism and for shaping the community’s approach to political and military authority while maintaining spiritual leadership.

A central feature of his leadership was the concept of Miri-Piri, a balance between temporal (miri) and

Tradition notes that he was imprisoned in Gwalior Fort for a time, along with his followers, by

Guru Hargobind died in 1644 at Kiratpur, in present-day Punjab, India. His legacy lies in advancing the

spiritual
(piri)
authority.
He
wore
two
swords
as
symbols
of
this
principle
and
organized
a
standing
Sikh
military
force
to
defend
the
community
against
oppression
and
coercion.
He
also
emphasized
discipline,
governance,
and
social
responsibility
as
part
of
religious
life.
To
symbolize
temporal
sovereignty
within
the
Sikh
tradition,
he
oversaw
the
construction
of
the
Akal
Takht
in
the
Harmandir
Sahib
complex,
establishing
a
seat
of
authority
distinct
from
Mughal
rule.
Jahangir,
and
was
released
after
negotiations.
After
his
release,
he
continued
to
lead
and
strengthen
the
Sikh
community’s
organizational
and
military
capabilities,
affecting
the
trajectory
of
Sikh
polity
in
northern
India.
idea
of
a
warrior-saint
who
could
uphold
spiritual
duties
while
defending
the
community,
a
framework
that
influenced
the
development
of
Sikh
political
and
military
organization
in
later
centuries.