All you need to know about martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev

Guru Arjan Dev is the fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus, was the first martyr of the Sikh faith. He had compiled the first official edition of the Sikh scripture called the Adi Granth, which later expanded into the Guru Granth Sahib.

Born in 1563 in Goindval, Tarn Taran district during the reign of the Mughal Empire, Guru Arjan Dev was martyred in Lahore in 1606.

On June 16, 1606, Guru Arjan died after being tortured for five days by the Mughal government led by Emperor Jahangir. 

The Sikhs observe the martyrdom of the Sikh Guru Arjan each year on June 16. His martyrdom is remembered as Shaheedi Divas of Guru Arjan. 

On this day, people often organise events where they read Sri Guru Granth Sahib and distribute langar. This year due to the outbreak of COVID-19, no big event has been organised. 

The place where Guru Arjun Dev Ji's body was extinct in the River Ravi, Gurudwara Dera Sahib (now in Pakistan) has been built. Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji is remembered for his humility. 

Guru Arjan Dev's son, Hargobind Singh, became the sixth guru of the Sikhs after him.

In 1588 AD, Arjan Dev had laid the foundation of the Golden Temple and also prepared the map of the temple. The doors of the temple on all sides signify the acceptance of all 4 castes and religions. "Guru Arjan Dev Ji"

Guru Arjan Dev expanded the Sikh scripture written by the previous Gurus and placed a copy of the Adi Granth in the completed Harimandir Sahib temple on August 16, 1604, and appointed Baba Buddha as the first Granthi. He also contributed more than 2,000 hymns himself, which was more than a third and the largest collection of hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib. He was also the author of the well known Sukhmani Sahib Bani.