400th Anniversary of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Jee Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore. (2006-4)

Guru Arjun Dev Jee (5th Guru) the youngest son of Guru Ram Das Jee was born on 15th April 1563 at Goindwal and was awarded Guruship by his father in 1581. His elder brother Pirthi Chand disputed the succession and made representations against his suppression to the Mughal Emperor, who refused to intervene.
Guru Arjun Dev Jee started reforms in Sikh religion and tradition (Maryada). He selected Amritsar as centre of Sikh Community. At Amritsar, he completed the digging of sacred pool (Sarowar) and construction of the sacred temple Darbar Sahib, which was started by his father. He declared that all Sikhs should donate 1/10th of their earnings to charity. Guru Arjun Dev Jee compiled the writings of his predecessors under the title ‘Adi Granth’. He held Hazrat Mian Mir Sahib in his highest esteems and on his request Hazrat Mian Mir Sahib travelled to Amritsar from Lahore and laid the foundation stone of Harmander Sahib.
Guru Arjun Dev Jee’s gradual increase in power and authority created number of his enemies who were mostly influential and powerful people. These were accentuated by misunderstandings created by the people having vested interests between the Government and the Guru, Pirthi Chand, the elder brother of Guru Arjun Dev Jee who had earlier unsuccessfully contested the Guruship and Chandu Mal, the Diwan of Lahore, to whose daughter the Guru had refused to betroth his son, exploited the situation and wanted to settle their personal ver datta. Diwan Chandu Mal, the adversary of the Guru, took him into his custody. The Guru had to undergo great rigours and hardships at the hands of Diwan Chandu Mal and at last met his death in June 1606, at Lahore.
When Emperor Jehangir heard about the inhuman treatment meted out to Guru Arjun Dev Jee, he showed his anger and utter displeasure and Chandu Mal was handed over under his orders to Guru Har Gobind, the son and successor of Guru Arjun Dev, to be treated by him as he liked. The emperor dispensed justice to the bereaved family and restored its honour.
On the occasion of 400th Anniversary of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Jee Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 5/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on June 16, 2006.