Lehal Library

The Call lo Arms 61 throne of the Timeless God), where, instead of chanting hymns of peace, the congregation heard ballads extolling feats of heroism, and, instead of listening to religious discourses, discussed plans of military conquests.3 For the first few years little notice was ta.ken of the change in the complexion of the Sikh organization. But as the number of the Guru's retainers increased, local officials began sending reports to the Emperor. Since the fine imposed on Arjun had not been paid, there was legal justification to proceed against his son. Jehangir ordered the arrest of Hargobind and the disbandment of his private army.• The Guru spent a year or more in imprisonment at Gwalior. He resumed his martial activity as soon as he was released/ only a little more discreetly. He was left alone, and was able to raise his private army anew by recruiting Pathan mercenaries and training the srurdier of his own followers.6 Muhsin Fani writes 3 The Guru's abode did in fact become like that of the Emperor. He sat on a throne and held court. He went out with a royal umbrella over his head and was always accompanied by anned retainers. He sent envoys to ruling princes and received their agents in durbar, where presents were exchanged. With Arjun the title Satii Pii.d.iah was only honorific; with Hargobind it became a reality as far as the Sikhs were concerned. He was miri piri dii mal.ik (the lord of the spiritual and secular domains). 4 'Hargobind had many difficulties to contend with,' writes Muhsin Fani. 'One of them was thal he adopted the life of a soldier, wore a sword contrary to the custom of his father, maintained a retinue, and began to follow the chase. The Emperor, in order to extort from him the balance of the fine whkh had been imposed on Arjun Mal, sent him to Gwalior.' (Muhsin Fani, Dabistiin.) The term of imprisonment is uncertain. Mubsin Fani is obviously wrong in stating that it was twelve years, because most of the Guru's children were born during these years. It is likely that Hargobiod was taken in custody some lime in 1609 and released by the end of 1611 at the latest. 5 Dabistan, 11, 274, states that Sikh disciples used to come to Gwalior to make obeisance before the walls of the fun and that the Emperor was moved out of a sense of pity to release him. 6 He obviously did not take on a post of any significance under the Mughals, as is maintained by many historians. The Tuzuk-i-Jehlingiri, which has detailed lists of important officers, does not mention Hargobind. The Tw:uk also does not support lhe Sikh view that the Emperor became a personal friend of the Guru. The author of the Dabistan, however, maintains