It was because of the decisions taken on this Takht Sahib that the people of Punjab were protected from external invaders, and fronts have been formed to create and protect the Punjabi Suba. This Takht is a symbol of the political and martial power of the Sikhs where the knowledge of weapons is propagated as a fence of religious life and a challenge to the enemies.
The ideas regarding the wearing of weapons among the Sikhs are seen in the biographies of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who before his martyrdom had realized in the face of the conditions of the time that the coming time would not be easy, which would make it necessary to wear weapons to combat. According to the ‘Sikhs’ Bhagatmala’, Guru Arjan Dev Ji tells his Sikhs, ‘If you hold the weapons, then you should take the form of Guru Hargobind. The time is the era of Kal Yug. You have to learn the weapons and pull the sword of the Mir. And understand the love of the word and take the Piri.’
When Guru Hargobind Sahib assumed the Guruship, according to the circumstances of the time, he had declared this while holding two swords:
Fight with whoever comes.
Do not be afraid to fight and kill.
With the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, a feeling of sadness and opposition and resentment towards the government had arisen among the Sikhs. Guru Hargobind Sahib had transformed the feeling of sadness that had arisen in the minds of the Sikhs into a spirit of upliftment by establishing Sri Akal Takht Sahib. This place had begun to be made the center of the militant, social and political activities of the Sikhs. Guru Ji ordered the Sikh Sangat to offer weapons and horses and also started playing hunting, then doubts began to arise in the minds of the people that the sixth Guru Ji had started a different work from the first five Gurus. Bhai Gurdas Ji, while clearing this confusion that has arisen in the minds of the people, says
: The truth cannot be hidden, the feet of the Sikhs are attracted by the charm of the Sikhs.
The charm of the Sikhs is not revealed.
This means that the truth cannot be hidden, it has to be revealed. The Sikhs are attached to the feet of the Guru like a charm. They know that the Guru does not reveal his meaning and they are attracted by the charm. This new form of the Guru Sahib was the one who organized the Sangat and established the independent existence of the Sikhs. Just as Guru Arjan Dev Ji had saved Sikhism by enduring hardship, similarly Guru Hargobind Sahib had tried to save the Sangat forever by making the Sikhs armed. The Sangat desires to attain spiritual fruits, for which it is very important to have the quality of bravery. Guru Hargobind Sahib had done the work of securing the spiritual achievements of the Sikhs by making them wear weapons. This Takht Sahib has a special place in Sikhism as a source of inspiration for spiritual elevation as well as commitment to fulfill the responsibilities given to it in worldly life. Any Gursikh who accepts the responsibility of serving this Takht Sahib is expected to act according to its prescribed spirit and manners.
Among the servants who have been appointed to run this center of worldly power of the Sikhs smoothly, the first name is Bhai Gurdas Ji, who was appointed by Guru Hargobind Sahib himself. After them, Bhai Mani Singh, Jathedar Darbara Singh, Nawab Kapur Singh, Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Akali Phula Singh have done very honorable work through their Panthic activities. The Jathedars of Sri Akal Sahib are appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee under the Act of 1925 under the British Government. Under the Act, Jathedar Udham Singh Nagoke, Jathedar Achchar Singh, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, Jathedar Mohan Singh Nagoke, Giani Pratap Singh, Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur, Jathedar Sadhu Singh Bhora, Jathedar Gurdial Singh Ajnoha, Giani Kirpal Singh, Prof. Darshan Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Giani Gurbachan Singh Giani Harpreet Singh etc. have been taking care of this place. At present, Giani Raghbir Singh is doing this service.
At one time, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib used to take decisions himself, but gradually this power went to the five Singh Sahibs. The Jathedars of Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib were invited to discuss the decisions to be taken at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The Jathedar of any Takht Sahib who cannot attend himself can send his representative or nominate someone for the gathering at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Therefore, the Chief Granthi and Granthi Sahibs of Sri Darbar Sahib are included in these gatherings.
The Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht Sahib are held in special respect in the Sikh Panth. Although there is no mention of this position in the Act passed in 1925, the word ‘Jathedar’ has been recognized in the Gurdwara Act as per the amendment made in 1999. Although all the Jathedars are considered equal in status, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib enjoys a special place among the Jathedars of the other Takhts. Therefore, after the deliberations of the five Singh Sahibs, the announcement to be made for the Sikh Sangat is made by the Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The Panth understands that the announcement or Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht Sahib should be in the spirit of the Guru and in the light of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the Jathedars to ensure that the Hukamnama presented by them is in accordance with the ideology of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the norms established by the Gurus and the Guru Panth.
. In the past, when a Jathedar Sahib’s Hukamnama did not come out in the light of Gurmat ideology, Panthic traditions and manners, it had to be withdrawn due to opposition from the Panth.
Sometimes differences of opinion have also come out regarding the rights of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and discussions are also seen among Akali leaders and scholars in this regard. In 1981, a statement of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale came out in which he told those opposing Sri Akal Takht Sahib on the issue of Panthic unity by Sikh politicians that ‘Those Sikh politicians who oppose the intervention of Akal Takht to bring Panthic unity are not ‘real Sikhs’.… No Sikh should diminish the respect of Akal Takht and its Jathedar at any cost.’
The decision of Sri Akal Takht Sahib applies to the entire Sikh Panth. When the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee gets caught in any confusion of religious etiquette, it hands over the final decision to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Sikhs living all over the world also approach Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding Panthic issues. Orders to implement Gurmat ideology at the social level are also given through the Jathedars, as has been ordered in a Hukamnama dated 13 June 1936, “It is the order of Sri Akal Takht Sahib towards the Sarbat Khalsa and the servants of the Gurdwaras that they should treat all the Amritdhari people equally in the Sangat Pangat, not asking about their previous caste, not misleading them, this is the order of the Guru. The Guru will do the best for the one who bows his head.”
The orders of Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding Mahant Narain Das of Nankana Sahib, fake Nirankaris, political leaders who were responsible for the incidents that took place during 1984 are recorded in the pages of history. Jathedar Sahib has full authority that before taking a decision on any issue, he can take the suggestion of a committee, call a meeting of scholars, consult with other Singh Sahibs and finally, considering the depth and seriousness of the issue, he can also call the Sarbat Khalsa. From this perspective, Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the central place to implement Gurmat Maryada, strive for unity in the Panth and embrace those who have taken refuge.
