Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the 5th Guru of Sikhism. Guru Arjan Dev Ji got the Guru Granth Sahib written by Bhai Gurdas Ji. Guru Ji compiled the edition called Adi Granth. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, besides collecting the Bani of the Gurus, also gathered the thoughts of saints, great spiritual figures, and Bhagats from all over Hindustan and included them in the Guru Granth. In the year 1604, he compiled the Adi Granth. The highest number of his writings is recorded in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. His most widely read composition is "Sukhmani & BaraMaha." He was the first martyr Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas 2026 Date
According to the Nanakshahi Samvat Calendar 2026, the martyrdom or Shaheedi Diwas day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji will be observed on 18 June 2026.
The Prakash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji will be celebrated on 9 April 2026.
The Guriaee or Gurgaddi Divas of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji has been scheduled for 13 September 2026.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Family and Early Life
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was born in Goindwal. Guru Ji was the son of Bibi Bhani Ji and Guru Ram Das Ji. Guru Ji had two brothers, Baba Prithi Chand and Baba Mahadev Ji. Mata Ganga Ji was his wife. Guru Hargobind Ji was his son.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji's nature was very service-oriented, humble, and modest. He became the 5th Guru of the Sikhs at the age of 18 after the passing of his father, Guru Ram Das Ji.
Contributions of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Guru Arjan Dev Ji served in the construction of Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. He got the foundation stone of Sri Harmandir Sahib laid by the Muslim saint Sai Mian Mir. He completed the construction of Harmandir Sahib with doors open from all four sides, which means any caste or religion can enter Harmandir Sahib. This temple is for everyone. Apart from this, he established new towns like Tarn Taran Sahib, Kartarpur, and Guru Ka Bagh. Guru Ji also completed the holy sarovars of Amritsar and Santokhsar.
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Seeing Guru Ji's growing popularity and the spread of Sikhism teachings, Jahangir became jealous of him. Not only him, but many other non-religious political people also could not tolerate his increasing popularity. He accused him of supporting the rebellion under Khusrau Mirza. Because of this, Jahangir, on the advice of extremists, got Guru Ji arrested and taken to Lahore. They made a strategy and asked Guru Sahib to include words praising Hazrat Muhammad in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, but Guru Ji refused. On the other side, Chandu Shah wanted his daughter to marry Guru Ji's son, Sri Hargobind Ji, but Guru Ji clearly refused for that as well. Chandu Shah (or Diwan Chandu Lal) was a wealthy Hindu banker and a high-ranking revenue official in the Mughal court of Emperor Jahangir at Lahore. Because of this anger, the order was given to martyr Guru Ji, and for this work, the especially cruel Chandu was appointed.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was given very harsh punishment. First, he was made to sit on a hot iron plate, and burning hot sand was poured over him. Later, Guru Ji was put into a cauldron of boiling water. But Guru Ji did not accept even a single demand of those Muslims. Guru Sahib kept reciting the Bani "Tera Kiya Meetha Lage." Finally, on 16 May 1606, on the sixth day, Guru Sahib's holy body was taken to the banks of the Ravi River. Today, that place is known as Gurdwara Dera Sahib, which is in Pakistan. There, Guru Ji took his last breaths and finally merged with the divine light.
Significance of Guru Arjan Dev Ji's Shaheedi
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was a true Guru who sacrificed his life for other people and did not accept anyone's orders against his beliefs. His martyrdom is considered a major turning point in Sikh history. His sacrifice filled the Sikhs with spiritual and social strength and courage. He taught everyone to do seva, keep humility first, live in peace, and stay devoted to God. After the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Hargobind Ji became the next Sikh Guru and started the path of Miri-Piri for self-defense.