Lehal Library

56 The Punjab and the Birth of Sikhism before writing the finis, Arjun made the following claim for his anthology: 'In this vessel you will find three things-truth, peace and contemplation; in this too the nectar that is the Name of the Master which is the uplifter of all mankind. ' 24 Emperor Akbar was impressed by the Guru's work, for it echoed some of the beliefs he held sacred. On one occasion he stopped at Goindwal for the express purpose of meeting the Guru. The Emperor's admiration was an important factor in building Sikh fortunes. During the seven years between the Emperor's first visit to Goindwal and his death in 1606, the number of Sikhs increased and trade thrived in the four towns Arjun had built. He became a leader of national importance, and his church grew rich and powerful. The Guru began to be addressed as the Saeli Padsah (the tme emperor). The death of Akbar brought a sudden reversal in the policy of the state towards the Sikhs. The new emperor, Jehangir, disapproved of the growing popularity of Guru Arjun.2S In his diary he wrote: 'At last when Khusrau (his son] passed along this road this insignificant fellow [Arjun] proposed to wait upon him. Khusrau happened to halt at the place where he was, and he came out and did homage to him. He behaved to Khusrau in certain special ways and made on his forehead a finger mark in saffron, which the Indians call qaiqa and is considered to be propitious. So many of the simple-minded Hindus, nay, many foolish Muslims too, had been fascinated by his ways and 24 Mundavani 25 Shaikh Ahmed Sirhincli (c. AD 1546-1624) also known as Mujaddid AlifSao.i. who claimed to be the second prophet oflslam after Mohammed, fell jealous of Guru Arjun·s influence, especially with Muslims, and wrote in strong terms to Jehangir against Ll1e Guru. His leuer, gi\'en in MnJctuM~ Ali/ SanI. has not attracted the attention of historians. Alif Sani was not well disposed towards men like Mian Mir and other Sufis who preached tolerance of oLher faiths. By this time some Sufis, panicularly of the Naqshbandi order, had begun to advocate the persecution of infidels. This band of Sufis, though small in numbers, had influence in the coun and \\,ith the Muslim a1istocracy. Wilh the rise of Banda (see Part II) the Muslim masses also became somewhat intolerant of other faiths.