8 March — Sikh History

Also on this day

• 1644Patshahi Seventh, Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji, ascended to Guruship Guru Hargobind had five sons, three of whom had died during his life time. Of the two who had survived him, SUraj Mal, born in 1617, was a worldly man, with only a moderate interest in religion, and Tegh Bahadhur, born in 1621, was a recluse. So by the command of Guru hargobind, the young Har Rai, grandson of the Guru, who was fourteen years old, was anointed as the seventh Guru of the Sikhs. The ceremony was performed by Baba Bhana, son of Baba Budha. Just before his death, Guru Hargobind put five paisas and a coconut before Har Rai, bowed to him and Baba Bhana put on his forehead the saffron mark and declared him to be the seventh Guru of the Sikhs.The Panth observes the Gurgaddi of Guru Har Rai Ji on 14 March in the Nanakshahi calendar.
• 178340,000 strong Sikh forces arrived at Baradhi harbour Shahijada Mirza Shikoh wanted to engage Sikh forces in a battle, but turned away instead of facing them.
• 1853Maharaja Dalip Singh coverted to Christianity Christian missionaries had spread their network to Lahore, Amritsar and other parts of the Punjab after its annexation. They saw hopeful signs of conversion of the Sikhs and made them a special target.
• 1967The Akalis, who had never enjoyed power before, formed their government after the first elections in the new state This was in fact the first non-Congress government in Punjab. Gurnam Singh’s government formed with the support of some willing political partners, fell on November 24, 1967, owing to intra-party intrigue.
• 1971The SGPC issued a letter to Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Yogi, authorizing him to establish an ordained Sikhism ministry in the West, to perform marriages Final rites and to adminsiter Amrit according to the Sikh traditions.