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The Mool Mantar in the handwriting of Guru Har Rai.

Guru Har Rai (Punjabi: ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਇ ਜੀ [ɡʊru həɾ ɾɑɪ]; 26 February 1630 – 6 October 1661) was the seventh of ten living Gurus of the Sikhs who became Guru on 8 March 1644 following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Guru Har Rai, nominated five year old Har Krishan, his youngest son as the next Guru of the Sikhs. The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Har Rai's life:

• Continued the military traditions started by his grandfather Guru Har Gobind ji.
• Maintained a cavalry of 2,200 soldiers throughout his Guruship.
• As a very young child he was disturbed by the suffering of a flower damaged by his robe in passing. Though such feelings are common with children, Guru Har Rai jiwould throughout his life be noted for his compassion for life and living things. His grandfather who was famed as an avid hunter is said to have saved the Moghul Emperor Jahangir's life during a tiger's attack. Guru Har Rai continued the hunting tradition of his grandfather, but he would allow no animals to be killed on his grand Shikars. The Guru instead captured animals, adding them to his zoo.
• Made several tours to the Malwa and Doaba regions of the Punjab.
• His son Ram Rai, seeking to assuage concerns of Aurangzeb over one line in Guru Nanak's verse (Mitti Mussalmam ki pede pai kumhar) suggested that the word Mussalmam was a mistake on the copyist's part and substituted wording that placated Auranzeb's concerns, therefore distorting Bani. His father, Guru Har Rai refused to ever meet with him again. The Guru is believed to have said, "Ram Rai, you have disobeyed my order and sinned. I will never see you again on account of your infidelity." It was also reported to the Guru that Ram Rai had also worked miracles in the Mughal's court against his father's direct instructions. Sikhs are constrained by their Gurus to not believe in, magic and myth or miracles.

Just before his death at age 31, Guru Har Rai passed the Gaddi of Nanak on to his younger son, the five year old—Guru Har Krishan.

Guru Har Rai was the son of Baba Gurdita and Mata Nihal Kaur (also known as Mata Ananti Ji). Baba Gurdita was son of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind. Guru Har Rai married Mata Kishan Kaur (sometimes also referred to as Sulakhni) the daughter of Sri Daya Ram of Anoopshahr (Bulandshahr) in Uttar Pradesh on Har Sudi 3, Samvat 1697. Guru Har Rai had one daughter and two sons: Baba Ram Rai and Sri Har Krishan.

Although, Guru Har Rai was a man of peace, he never disbanded the armed Sikh Warriors (Saint Soldiers), who earlier were maintained by his grandfather, Guru Hargobind. He always boosted the military spirit of the Sikhs, but he never indulged in any direct political or armed controversy with the Mughal Empire. Once, Dara Shikoh (the eldest son of emperor Shah Jahan), came to Guru Har Rai asking for help in the war of succession launched by his half-brother the murderous Aurangzeb. The Guru had promised his grandfather to use the Sikh Cavalry only in defense. He, nevertheless, helped him to escape safely from the bloody hands of Aurangzeb's armed forces by having his Sikh warriors hide all the ferry boats at the river crossing after they had been used by Dara Shikoh in his escape.

Background[link]

Once, while the Guru Har Rai was returning from a tour of the Malwa and Doaba regions, Mohamad Yarbeg Khan, (son of Mukhlis Khan, who had been killed by Guru Hargobind, when he had led his forces against the Sikh the Guru) attacked the kafla of the Guru with a force of one thousand armed men. The revengeful attack was repulsed by a few hundred 'Saint-Soldiers' of the Sikhs with great courage and bravery. The enemy suffered a heavy loss of life and fled the scene. This self-defense measure, was a reply to the surprise attack of the Muslims overlords. Guru Har Rai often bestowed Sikh warriors with robes of honor in reward.

The Guru also established an Aurvedic (herbal medicine) hospital and a research center at Kiratpur Sahib where he also maintained a zoo. Once Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan fell seriously ill by some unknown disease (usually explained as trimmings of tiger's whiskers sneaked into his food by his envious sibling, Aurangzeb.). The court hakims (physicians), both Indian and European attempted cures, but there was no improvement. At last the emperor made a humble request to the Guru for the treatment of his son. Accepting the request Guru Har Rai, sent some medicinal herbs, then available only in his Aurvedic hospital, back with the emperor's messenger. Dara Shikoh was cured of his near fatal illness. The emperor, whole heartedly thanked the Guru and offered a jagir (title to land and villages and a portion of the profits (lagaan) derived from it), which Guru Har Rai declined.

Guru Har Rai visited the Doaba and Malva regions of Punjab where he preached to the Sikhs in big huge numbers.

Guru Har Rai also visited Lahore, Sialkot, Pathankot, Samba, Ramgarh and many places in the Jammu and Kashmir region. He established 360 Sikh 'missionary' seats called Manjis (after the small cot (manji) used by the Guru's representatives. He also tried to improve the old corrupt Masand system and appointed pious and committed personalities, such as Suthre Shah, Sahiba, Sangtia, Mian Sahib, Bhagat Bhagwan, Bhagat Mal and Jeet Mal Bhagat (also known as Bairagi), as the heads of Manjis.

Guru Har Rai faced some serious difficulties during the period of his guruship. The corrupt Masands, Dhir Mal and Minas always tried to preclude the advancement of the Sikh religion.

Recitation of Gurbani[link]

One day the Sikhs asked the Guru whether those who read the Gurus' hymns without understanding them, derived any spiritual advantage from it. The Guru gave no reply at the time, and next morning went hunting. En route, the Guru came across a broken pot which had held butter. The rays of the sun were melting the butter on the broken pot fragments. The Guru took one of these fragments in his hand and said, "Look my Sikhs, broken pot shreds—when heated, the butter that had adhered to them readily melts. As the grease adheres to the potshreds, so do the Gurus' hymns to the hearts of his Sikhs. At the time of death the Gurus' instruction shall assuredly bear fruit. Whether understood or not, it has within it the seed of salvation. Perfume still clings to a broken vase." The meaning of the parable is that whosoever daily reads the Gurus' shabads shall assuredly obtain peace. And even though he may not fully understand them, God will undoubtedly assist him.

Guru Ram Das has said: "The Word is the Guru, and the Guru in the Word, and in the Word is the essence of ambrosia."

Bhai Gonda[link]

A devout Sikh called Bhai Gonda used to stay with the Guru. He was a saint in thought, word and deed. The Guru was very much pleased with his sincere devotion and asked, “Bhai Gonda, go to Kabul, and instruct the Sikhs there in the worship of the true Name, and preach the Sikh faith. Feed holy men and pilgrims with the offerings you receive and send whatever remains here for the upkeep of the Langar. These are to be your duties, and I am confident that you will succeed in them.”

Although Kabul was a foreign country and there was danger from Muslim bigotry in living there, Bhai Gonda cheerfully accepted the task given to him. On arriving there he built a Gurdwara and carried out all the Guru’s instructions.

One day, while Bhai Gonda was repeating the Japji, he felt as though clinging to the Guru’s feet. He was in such a state of abstraction that he became quite unconscious. He grew as absorbed in the sight of the Guru as a drop of rain in the ocean. The Guru knew what was passing through Bhai Gonda’s mind, and sat firmly on his throne keeping his feet together. At mid-day, when dinner was announced, the Guru made no response. When the announcement was repeated an hour later, he still remained silent. A longer interval later, the call was again made for the third time and cook asked permission to serve the food, but again the Guru did not speak. Several Sikhs gathered together and were about to make a representation to the Guru, when he finally spoke. “Brother Sikhs. Bhai Gonda is in Kabul. He is in thought, word, and deed, a saint of the Guru. He today clasped my feet. How can I take them away from him? How can I go take my dinner until he lets go? I am therefore waiting until the conclusion of his meditation and obeisance.” Bhai Gonda did not awake from his trance before twilight, and it was only then that the Guru felt free to take his meal.

Dara Shikoh[link]

The Emperor Shah Jahan had four sons: Dara Shikoh, Shuja Muhammad, Aurangzeb, and Murad Baksh. Dara Shikoh was the heir-apparent, and was very dear to his father. Aurangzeb was very cunning, clever and ambitious, and was fixated on succeeding to the throne. He administered tiger’s whiskers in a dish to his eldest brother and he became dangerously ill as a result. Astrologers were sent for, pirs and fakirs were called, all known charms, spells and incantations were tried but to no avail. Wise men were assembled together and they came to the decision that until the tiger’s whiskers could be removed, there was no hope of a recovery. They were of the opinion that if two ounces of chebulic myrobalan (scientific name: termininalia chebula; known in Ayurvedic medicine as Aralu, credited with having laxative and stomachic properties) and a clove weighing one masha were administered, his health could be restored.

The Emperor searched everywhere for the ingredients but they could not be found – it was only until his Prime Minister, who had heard of the Gurus’ fame, was informed that there were available from the Gurus’ storehouse, that hope was restored. Although the Emperor was hostile to the Guru, yet as the Guru’s house was a mine of sympathy and compassion for all, there was no doubt that he would grant the articles required. The Emperor humbled himself before the Guru and sent a letter. The Guru was pleased that the Emperor had such confidence in him as to write such a friendly letter, and consented to give the required medicines. “Behold,” said the Guru, “with one hand man breaks flowers and with one hand offers them, but the flowers perfume both hands alike. The axe cuts the sandal tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe. The Guru ought, therefore, to return good for evil.”

The ingredients were weighed and it was explained that these medicines would cause the hardest substance taken to be digested. To these ingredients, the Guru added a pearl which was to be ground and used as a subsidiary remedy. The Emperor was naturally very pleased and forgot all his enemity with the Guru, and vowed that he would never again cause him annoyance. His medicine was administered and effected a fast and complete cure.

Ram Rai and his tradition[link]

The followers of Ram Rai regard him as a Guru and are called Ramraiya. They are headquartered in Dehra Doon founded by Guru Ram Rai. The institutution at Dehra Doon is headed by a lineage of Mahants^[1] who follow the Udasi tradition.

Criticism[link]

Mughal accounts regarding Guru Har Rai[link]

When the Sikh, Guru Har Rai supported Aurangzeb's elder brother Dara Shikoh he clearly received the enmity of Aurangzeb. Guru Har Rai, however cleverly withdrew his support for Dara Shikoh after the heir apparent had been defeated by Aurangzeb during the Battle of Samugarh. And to assure that no troubles would emerge between the victorious Aurangzeb and himself, Guru Har Rai surrendered two of his sons to the armies of Aurangzeb.^[2]

References[link]

• Macauliffe, M.A. (1909). The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus Sacred Writings and Authors. Low Price Publications. ISBN 81-7536-132-8. 
• Singh, Khushwant (1963). A History of the Sikhs: 1469-1839 Vol.1 (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-567308-5. 

External links[link]

• Sikhs.org
• Sikh-History.com
• Official Website of Gurudwara Shri Guru Har Rai Ji Village Bhungarni

Rai may refer to:

Acronyms

• RAI, radioactive iodine, in the medical context of the treatment of thyroid problems
• RAI, Radiotelevisione Italiana, Italian public broadcasting
• Praia International Airport in Cape Verde, IATA airport code
• Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
• Rijwiel Automobile Industrie, which gives its initials to Amsterdam RAI railway station in south Amsterdam and the nearby conference complex Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre
• Islamic Republic of Iran Railways is abbreviated as RAI

Fictional characters

• Rai (comics), fictional character from Valiant Comics
• Rai Bakuoh, one of the characters from the fighting game Waku Waku 7
• Rai, the protagonist of the anime Ginga Sengoku Gun'yūden Rai.

Geography

• Rai (area), a traditional Thai unit of area, equaling 1,600 m²
• Rai, Orne, a commune of the Orne département, in France
• Rai, South Khorasan, a village in South Khorasan Province, Iran

People

• Rai (Indian), an Indian surname
• Rai (Punjabi surname), a Punjabi surname
• Rai (surname) (Kanji 雷, Hiragana らい), a Japanese surname derived from the Chinese Lei (雷)
• Aishwarya Rai, (born 1973) Former Miss World (1994) and Indian Actress
• Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, or Beshara Rai, incumbent Maronite patriarch in Lebanon
• Bali Rai, young-adult fiction novelist from Leicester, England
• Kayyar Kinhanna Rai, Kannada writer and activist in India
• Lakshmi Rai, South Indian actress
• Lala Lajpat Rai, an Indian author, freedrom fighter and politician (1865-1928)
• Prakash Rai, South Indian actor
• Priya Rai, Indian American porn star
• Raí, Brazilian football (soccer) player
• Amit Rai Film Director
• Kalpnath Rai politician
• Acharya Kuber Nath Rai Writer
• Viveki Rai Hindi Writer
• Kusum Rai Politician
• Ram Bahadur Rai Journalist
• Jharkhande Rai Ex. MP
• Gauri Shankar Rai Ex,MP

Social and ethnic groups

• Rai (ethnic group), an ethnolinguistic group of Nepal
• Rai (Indian), a title in India, with various related meanings and compound forms of Rajput & Bhumihar caste

Other uses

• Rai (also Raï), a form of folk music that originated in Oran, Algeria, from Bedouin shepherds (evolved into a popular genre)
• Rai languages, Dhanwar Rai language
• Rai University, a university in India
• Rai stones, a kind of stone currency used in Yap (Caroline Islands)
• Rai (also Raai), the Hindi term for Mustard seeds
• rai (paradise) a term for paradise found in Slavic languages.

See also[link]

• Raï (disambiguation)
• Ray, Iran

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Sikh Persecution[link]

Punjab had gone through an era of Sikh persecution under the Mughal governor of Lahore Zakriya Khan from 1726 to 1745 A.D. The Sikhs of Punjab had taken refuge in the deserts of the Rajputana.

Desecration of Harmandir Sahib[link]

In 1740, the governor of Lahore put Massa Ranghar or Musalul Khan, a Chaudhury of Mandiala as the incharge of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Sikhs were not allowed to visit the Harmandir Sahib or to take a dip in the holy waters of its tank (sarovar). Massa Ranghar persecuted the Sikhs and looted the shops and home of Hindus. He watched the dancing girls perform, drank alcohol and smoked hookah inside the Harminder Sahib.

News from Amritsar[link]

Two residents of Amritsar Tej Ram, a Hindu and Bulaka Singh took this news to a band of Khalsa in the deserts of Bikaner under the leadership of Sardar Sham Singh. Tej Ram and Bulaka Singh narrated their stories to the congregation of Sikhs. After listening Sardar Mehtab Singh Bhangu volunteered to bring Massa Ranghar's head back to Bikaner. Another Sikh, Sardar Sukha Singh of Mari Kamboki also stood up and asked to accompany Mehtab Singh.

Both of the Sikhs disguised themselves as landlords (Chaudhries) bringing revenue to Amritsar. They rode across the desert and reached Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo near Bathinda. They filled up bags of broken pottery pieces and made them look as if they are full of coins.

Revenge at Harmandir Sahib[link]

On August 11, 1740 A.D. they dressed up as landlords from Patti and entered the city of Amritsar. They reached the Harmandir Sahib and them tied their horses to the berry tree and went inside the Harmandir Sahib carrying the bags. Massa Ranghar was smoking the hukkah and watching the dancing girls. The Sikhs threw the bags under Massa's bed and said that they had come to pay the revenue. Massa bent downwards to have a look at the bags. Mehtab Singh immediately took his sword and slashed it at Massa's neck and instantly severed his head. Sukha Singh finished off the guards of Massa Ranghar. They put Massa's head in a bag and rode their horses back to Talwandi Sabo the same evening. The next day they reached Bikaner and presented Massa Ranghar's head on a spear to the congregation (Dal) of Sikhs.

Further struggle[link]

Early in 1752, Ahmad Shah Durrani came out leading his third invasion into India and camped at Shahdara preparatory to an attack on the Punjab capital. A fierce action took place in which Sukkha Singh and his men died fighting to Durrani's strong troopsmen.

See also[link]

• Mehtab Singh Bhangu
• Operation Blue Star

References[link]

This biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately. (April 2012)

Jaswinder Singh is an Indian Ghazal singer.

Early life[link]

Jaswinder Singh was born in Punjab to legendary composer Kuldip Singh, composer of ghazals such as Tumko dekha to ye khayal aaya, movie Saath-Saath and Itni Shakti Hame De Na Daata, movie Ankush. He is trained in classical singing by Dr Sushila Pohankar and Pt Ajay Pohankar.

Career[link]

Jasvinder Singh was chosen to sing for the play ‘Kaifi Aur Main’, a epistolary style play dealing with the life and times of the noted lyricist and poet Kaifi Azmi. The play features the husband and wife duo of Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi. The lead actors share interesting anecdotes from the life of the great revolutionary poet Kaifi Sahib, while Jaswinder lends his voice to some of the most memorable ghazals and songs penned by Kaifi Saheb.

He performed at Ghalibnaama, a conceptual show based on the prose and poetry of Mirza Ghalib.

Jaswinder Singh has toured US, Canada, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and Muscat. He has performed over 300 live concerts.

Awards[link]

He was awarded ‘The young Ghazal Maestro’ by Indian Music Academy. The title was presented by Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia in the presence of the former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Recordings[link]

" Ishq Nahin Asaan " released by Saregama - HMV

" Dilkash " released by Tips

"Yours Truly" released by Tips

External links[link]

• eBazm: Jasvinder Singh
• Gahazl's World: Jasvinder Singh

This article about an Indian singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008)

Kuldeep Singh Garcha is a notable former polo player of India. He had handicap of five gols and captained and coached the Indian polo team for several years. He was awarded an Arjuna Award for achieving excellence in sports.

He started playing polo when he joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun and became a captain for both the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.

He joined the Indian army and in 1966 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the 61st Cavalry.

Colonel Garcha with his son Satinder has set up the Jaipur Riding and Polo Club on the outskirts of Jaipur.

External links[link]

• [1]
• [2]
• [3]

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