some pictures of shri akal takht sahib
guru hargobind singh ji
shri takht sahib
nishan sahib represented miri piri
shri akal takht sahib
The Akal Takht is the first and the most important of the five
Takhts or seats of religious power in Sikhism. It is the highest site of authority that
addresses the spiritual and temporal concerns of the Sikh community. Established in 1606, it
served as a symbol of political resistance against the Mughals during the 17th and 18th
centuries. The Akal Takht has also undergone various attacks in the course of history,
including the controversial Indian military action named Operation Blue Star. Today, it
serves as one of the most important religious sites and tourist attractions in Amritsar.
Located in the same complex as the famous Golden Temple aka Harmandir Sahib, this
intricately designed white structure offers a splendid sight.
Did you know that the
magnificent Akal Takht that we see today isn’t the original structure? The original
building, which was called Akal Bunga, was constructed in 1609 by Guru Hargobind, the sixth
Sikh Guru, at the same site where it stands today. Back then, it was a simple platform
measuring 3.5 meters in height, where the guru would hold court and listen to the
petitioners. As a mark of his spiritual and temporal authority, he put two swords on the
platform. Later, a semi-circular structure with gilded interior and marble pillars was
constructed.
guru hargobind singh ji
shri takht sahib
nishan sahib represented miri piri
shri akal takht sahib
Akal Takht Sahib
Did you know that the magnificent Akal Takht that we see today isn’t the
original structure? The original building, which was called Akal Bunga, was
constructed in 1609 by Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, at the same site where it stands
today. Back then, it was a simple platform measuring 3.5 meters in height, where the guru
would hold court and listen to the petitioners. As a mark of his spiritual and temporal
authority, he put two swords on the platform. Later, a semi-circular structure with gilded
interior and marble pillars was constructed.
During the 18th century, the Akal Takht and
the Golden Temple came under repeated attacks from Ahmed Shah Abdali, the famous Afghani
emperor and Massa Rangar, a Mughal commander. Between 1770 and 1780, the structure was
reconstructed using bricks. Hari Singh Nalwa, one of the generals under Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, adorned the dome of the Akal Takht with gold.
During the infamous Operation Blue
Star by the Indian Army in 1984, the Akal Takht suffered extensive damage. It was rebuilt by
the Government of India but the Sikhs did not accept the new structure. Finally, they
demolished it and rebuilt the Akal Takht in its present form in 1995.
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The concept of "Miri Piri" was highlighted by the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji when he was throned Guru on 11 June, 1606. At the Guruship (succession) ceremony, the Guru asked for two kirpans to be donned on him; one to symbolize the concept of Miri or temporal authority and the second to symbolize the concept of Piri or spiritual authority. The wearing of two swords was a departure from the previous Guruship tradition when only the "salli" (for spiritual power) was worn by the preceding Gurus. For many years now, the Sikh community worldwide has honoured the sixth Guru's vision of Miri and Piri and have celebrated this vision on 21st July every year by calling this day the - Miri Piri Divas or the Miri Piri Day.
Miri: This word has come from the Persian word “miri”, which itself comes from the Arabic word “Amir”. The word "Amir" (which is pronounced as "a-MEER") means commander, governor, lord, prince, ruler, chieftain, etc. and signifies the temporal power or material power. The concept of Miri signifies worldly, materialist, and political power. The concept is linked to the traditional power enjoyed by kings and rulers where the might of the military results in the power and ability to rule or influence the people. Piri: This word has again come from the Persian word “pir” which means saint, holy man, spiritual guide, senior man, head of a religious order, and stands for the spiritual authority. The concept of "Piri" is linked to the power enjoyed by religious leaders, church priests, qazis, pandits, etc. to have power or influence over the devotees by the way of "spiritual power" or religious power. The words miri and piri are now frequently used together to give the concept promoted by the sixth Guru.
Miri Piri: The adoption of the term “miri, piri” in Sikh tradition has been made to connote the temporal and spiritual components of life; the materialist concept of human existence and the spiritual aspect of the human soul. Guru Hargobind by wearing the two kirpans of Miri and Piri has endowed on the Sikhs the importance of these two important aspects of life. The term represents for the Sikhs a basic principle which has influenced their thought process and has governed their social structure, political behaviour, communal organisation, leadership and politics. The Sikhs have to have regards to both the material needs of the community and the people and also the spiritual concept and rights of the people. Langar is an important aspect of the Miri concept; it provides for the materialist needs of the community. The right to follow your own chosen religion, a concept safeguarded by Guru Tegh Bahadar is an aspect of the "Piri" tradition. The Sikh has to keep an eye on both these important aspects of human endeavour; and the needs of all human beings be they Sikhs or non-Sikhs.
Guru Hargobind sahib was only eleven years old at the time of the martyrdom of his father, Guru Arjun dev sahib. He was faced with two choices, either to let the Muslim tyrannical rulers (Mughals) and fanatical clergy to annihilate Sikhism and other non-Islamic religions of India or fight the tyranny. Guru sahib chose the latter and showed extraordinary personal courage, valour and political acumen and manoeuvred Sikhism on its course chartered by Guru Nanak through the initial crucial stages. The martyrdom of Guru Arjun in 1606 at the behest of the fanatical Mughal Emperor Jahangir prompted the succeeding young Guru Hargobind sahib to refocused the role of the Sikh Gurus. The Guru discerned sagely that the Sikhism had to fight for its survival or be devoured by the mighty Mughals who were tyrannically converting predominantly Hindu society of India to Islam. At his succession ceremony the Guru donned one sword to symbolize Piri, [spiritual authority] and second to symbolize Miri, [temporal authority]. Evidently the Guru sahib's concept of Miri Piri and motivation to assume the dual role of Miri and Piri were to challenge the religious coercion, political tyranny, social oppression and ensure peaceful and prosperous co-existence not only for the Sikhs but also, for the whole multi-religious and multi-cultural society of India. The Guru's motives to assume the dual role of Miri Piri were misconstrued at the time; but were soon validated when the Sikhs had to fight four defensive battles in 1628, 1630, 1631, 1634, A.D. against the aggressive Muslim imperial forces. Led by the Guru himself, the Sikhs routed the numerically superior Mughal forces in all four battles.
guru shri hargobind ji