This is a common question asked by Sikhs isn’t Diwali just for Hindu’s, and the most common answer you will get is yeah it is! but it also play’s an important time for Sikhs also ................... read on …

While the young Guru Hargobind Ji’s(The 6th Guru) forces grew in strength, the enemies of time never held back in reporting the changes to Emperor Jehangir. They laid special emphasis on the Guru’s personal administration of justice and his command forbidding Sikhs to take their disputes to Mughal courts of law.

He saw in this the beginnings of a revolt, and he thought it wise to stop the movement quickly. So he sent two of his courtiers to Amritsar to ask the Guru to come to Delhi. The 17 year old Guru accepted this invitation and taking a band Singhs set out for Delhi.

There he was received with kindness and courtesy by the Emperor who realized that far from being cowed and subdued by the execution of Guru Arjan Dev, the Sikhs had become more bold and warlike. For some days he tried persuasion, to dissuade the Guru from recruiting Sikh soldiers and making other preparations for war.

But Guru Hargobind replied that his policy was to subdue nobody and be cowed by none, and that he would continue to fight all forms of oppression. Jehangir ordered 12 years imprisonment for him in the fort of Gwalior. Here the Guru joined 52 Hindu rulers of the hill-states of India who had been thrown in, on one excuse or another. He continued his daily programme of devotional songs and explanation of the Bani and soon raised the spirits of all the prisoners.

The Sikhs meanwhile became restless, and numerous groups kept coming to Gwalior fort, but as they were not permitted to go in, they would kiss the walls of the fort and depart. Baba Budha and Bhai Gurdas were sent by Mata Ganga Devi and the two were allowed to go in. They were sent away by the Guru with the message to all Sikhs to remain in high spirits(Chardi Kaala), as all would be well. Deputations kept going to Jehangir not only from Sikhs but also from Muslim leaders, who had seen nothing but goodness in the Gurus so far.

One Muslim fakir Mian Mir, was greatly respected by all. On his plea, and after two years in prison, Guru Hargobind was told that he was free to go as he wished.

The Guru knew that his 52 fellow prisoners had done no crime. He sent a message to the Emperor that he would not leave without his 52 companions. This posed quite a problem to Jehangir. Finally he gave the order to free as many as could hold on to the Guru’s person.

The rulers were quite downcast on hearing this, as they could not all hope to touch the Guru at the same time. But the young saviour soon put them at ease. He had made a robe, which had 50 pleats at the hem, and he made each ruler hold one pleated edge. The last two rulers were given a hand each to hold and the whole constellation thus walked out of the prison gates to freedom.

This chivalry was symbolic of the love the Gurus had for all mankind and Guru Hargobind was known from that day as "Bandhi Sho-dr", the Saviour from Bondage. The Sikhs lit up Golden Temple(Harmandir Sahib) with thousands of oil lamps, to mark the Guru's arrival in Amritsar on the 1614 AD. This happened to be Diwali day, a Hindu festival, and thus Diwali too became significant for the Sikhs……………………………………….. . Also

SACRIFICE ON DIWALI BHAI MANI SINGH

Bhai Mani Singh was a great Sikh scholar and martyr who was the scribe of the final version of the Guru Granth Sahib under the guidance of Guru Gobind Singh. In 1737 Bhai Mani Singh took permission from the muslim governor of Lahore for the Sikhs to celebrate Diwali at the Golden Temple on the payment of Rs. 5,000 as tax, a practice which had been banned. Not enough people attended Diwali that year because they were afraid of the muslim authorities and as a result not enough money was collected. The muslim authorities arrested Bhai Mani Singh and publicly executed him in Lahore. This great Martyr showed his courage as he recited Sukhmani Sahib while he was cut LIMB BY LIMB, JOINT BY JOINT and remained in high spirits through the torture.wahegurooo waheguroo wahegurooo waheguruooo..

Happy Diwali to all around the world, have a fantastic time and plenty of fireworks

Kamaldeep SIngh