Tag Archives: Inspirational folktales in English

Guru Hargobind Singh and his unique leadership of the Sikhs after the brutal execution of Guru Arjan by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Guru Hargobind Singh was only 11 years old when he was appointed the Guru. The Sikhs were already a community of people who had a culture that was distinct from all others – Sikhs were a community that …

Guru Arjan Dev: First martyr of Sikh Faith – The death of Guru Arjan Dev was a great event in the history of India, and it gave a new turn to the events in the country. With his martyrdom the attitude of the Sikhs towards life changed. Emulating the Guru, they could now readily give their lives for any cause …

PART I – Martyrdom of Younger Sahibzadas Anandpur Battle and Separation of Guru Gobind Singh’s Family Martyrdom of Younger Sahibzadas: The brave and fearless Sikhs (army) of Guru Gobind Singh were engaged for months together in a prolonged battle with the Mughal army outside the Fort of Anandpur. Emperor Aurangzeb sent a message on oath that if the Guru and …

Guru Arjan Dev: New Sikh Guru – When Prithi Chand, Guru Arjan Dev’s elder brother, came to know of it, he refused to accept him as the new Guru. When Guru Arjan Dev was presented the turban of the Guru by Guru Amardas’s son, Mohri, Prithi Chand objected vehemently. He claimed that at the eldest son of Guru Ram Das, …

Guru Arjan Dev Birth And Childhood Stories: Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth descendant of Guru Nanak, was born on April 15, 1563. He was the youngest son of Bhai Jetha (later Guru Ram Das) and Bibi Bhani. There was great rejoicing everywhere in all the Sikh sangats at his birth. This unusual rejoicing surprised quite a few people, since this …

Guru Arjan Dev Teachings And Related Stories – Prithi Chand continued to pester the Guru to stop his religious and social activities. He tried to harm the Guru in whatever way he could. He became violently hostile and filled the path of the Guru with thorns. Guru Arjan was fortunate in having the loyal support of Bhai Budha and Bhai …

Guru Arjan Dev: The Conspiracy Begins – Before long, Guru Arjan came to hear of something that really troubled him. He learned that his brother, Prithi Chand, was composing his own hymns and passing them off as compositions of Guru Nanak and other Sikh Gurus. Guru Arjan feared that if this continued, the Sikh religion would be undone and grossly …

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev: Unfortunately, Akbar died soon after and the struggle for the Delhi throne began between his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Khusro. Jahangir’s son, Khusro, had a lot of respect for the Guru. When he was defeated in the battle, he left for Punjab and sought refuge with the Guru in Amritsar. The Guru told Khusro clearly …

Clever Swan: Story of a far-sighted swan – Once upon a time there was a huge banyan tree in a forest. It was very old and its strong branches had spread for wide an all sides. A flight of swans had made their nests among the branches of this tree. They had been living safely in these nests for a …

A daughter is better than a son: Thakur Ari Singh was lying on deathbed. Relatives and friends surrounded him. He had only one daughter, named Lhalarde, who was standing motionless near her father. The atmosphere was tense. There was no hope of survival for Ari Singh. As is customary, the last wish of a dying man is found out and …