Guru Har Krishan
Value human piety and purity.
Guru Har Krishan Ji is the eighth Guru of the Sikhs. He is called the Bal (child) Guru. He became Guru at the age of five. He was born on July 7, 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib to Mata Kishan Kaur. He was youngest son of Guru Har Rai Ji. His elder brother Ram Rai was ignored for Guruship.
Har Krishan Ji became Guru after the death of Guru Har Rai Ji on October 6, 1661. The Guru proved at the tender age that an ideal man could be successful by meeting any challenge fearlessly and with courage.
Rai became jealous of Guru Har Krishan Ji. The Guru was called to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb on complaint by Ram Rai, elder brother of the Guru. Guru Har Krishan Ji went to Delhi and stayed at the mansion of Raja Jai Singh (now known as Gurdwara Bangla Sahib). He started imparting Sikh instructions at Delhi which was in the grip of smallpox epidemics in those days.
Once, Lal Chand an ego-stricken Brahmin of Panjokhra, in order to test the intellect of the Guru, asked him to translate meanings of a passage from Gita. It is said that the Guru blessed a passing by illiterate and dumb Chhaju Gunga to expound the meanings, which he exposed with extraordinary wisdom.
Guru Har Krishan Ji remained on the throne of Guru Nanak Dev for two and half years. He left for heavenly abode at Delhi with small-pox at the age of eight on March 30,1664.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was erected at the site where the Guru stayed during his visit to Delhi. He was cremated on the bank of river Yamuna. Gurdwara Bala Sahib was constructed there in memory of the Guru. It is believed that just by looking at the Guru all the pain would vanish. His Darshana healed the sick and the miserable.
On the last day, as per practice, the Guru wanted to appoint his successor. By pointing out for his successor, he said 'Baba Bakale.'' This meant that his successor Tegh Bahadur was at Baba Bakale.
Contemporary Ruler of India
Aurangzeb from 1658 to 1707 A.D.