Today in Sikh History :15th June

15th June

Foundation Stone of Sri Akal Takhat is laid by Sri Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji. This event marked the official declaraion of the sovereigntity of the Sikh nation. The Sikhs reject all other sovereignity and owed their allegiance to the Almighty only. After the revealation the Akal Takhat, Guru Hargobind Sahib issued the first Hukamnama (the royal letter) from the throne:

Guru Arjan has left for heavenly abode and the sixth Guru has been crowned. Those who would visit him at his Throne, should bring only good horses and good arms as offereings.

Sohan Kavi also referes to this Hukamnama which asked the Sikhs to visit him on Haar Sudi 20, 1663 BK (July 1606). The Guru, addressing, the audience, announced that he had formed an army to fight the tyrannyt of the rulers of Delhi, to preserve Sikh sovereignity and to save the Sikh religion. He asked the sikhs to be fully armed because religion could not be saved without resorting to arms against the tyrant regime and that was a must for the survival of their religion.

Sikandar-Baldev Singh pact was established. Under it Baldev Singh joined the Punjab Cabinet. Shortly afterwards, Sir Jogendra Singh was nominated as a member of teh Viceroy’s expended council. This marked the beginning of the Akalis chartering an independent sourse. However, the Hindu press in Punajb, which seldom played a constructive role, went hysterical.

-Ref. The Sikhs in History, by Sangat Singh, 1995