Lehal Library

5. From the Pacifist Sikh to the Militant Khalsa Gobind Singh (1666-1708) 1 obind Rai was only nine when his father's served head was brought to Anandpur for cremation. The shock lo the child's mind and to other members of his family need not be exaggerated. The leaders of the community were concerned about the safety of Gobind, for the possibility of his being taken to Delhi as a hostage could not be ruled out. To avoid any chances, the young Guru and his entourage were shifted from Anandpur further into the mountains at Paonta.2 Gobind spent many years of his childhood in this small Himalayan town on the banks of the G l The chief source of information on Guru Gobind Singh's life is his own Biciira Niifak, which he wrote about AD 1692. On events preceding its composition, the Bicitra Na!,ak is Lo be considered al.ll.hentic. For the remaining period of the Guru's life we have nothing earlier than the Sikh chronicles written eighty to a hundred years after the Guru's death. C.ur Bifiis, by Sukha Singh, was written in 1797. Samokh Singh and Gyan Singh's works are of even later date. Fortunately these chronicles can be checked with Mughal records of Aurangzeb's and Bahadur Shah's time. A careful sifting of the material gives a fairly accurate picture of the Guru· s life and times. 2 Apparently so named after the Guro's residence at the place from piion!ii (lhe footstool). 'The tme Guru came from Anandpur and rested his fool. lt was consequent!)• named Paonta.' (Sura) Prakiis.)