Bhagat Maalaa ~Sulhi & Sulbi Khan's Evil Conspiracy - Part XXI

Sulhi Khan and Sulbi Khan

har govidh prabh raakhiaa ||
God saved Hargobind.

jan naanak saach subhaakhiaa ||2||6||70||
Servant Nanak speaks the Truth. ||2||6||70||
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji; GGSJ: Ang 626)

Prithi Chand, the eldest son of Guru Ram Das Ji, was seething with anger and jealousy upon seeing his youngest brother, Guru Arjan Dev Ji becoming the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. Prithi Chand unleashed perpetual attacks against Guru Arjan Dev Ji and his family, hoping the Guru would crumble under the pressure and abdicate from the Guruship.

On numerous occasions, Prithi Chand made many attempts to assassinate Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, but failed miserably each time. A poisonous cobra was set look in the toddlers room but the future Guru killed the snake with his own hands. Once a corrupted servant was convinced to poison Hargobind's food but the intuitive child refused to eat the food. The food was given to a dog to eat which died upon consumption. A wet nurse under the employ of the Guru's house was also hired to poison her breasts and thus poison the young Hargobind who knew better and refused her milk. Despite the evil intentions of his eldest brother, Guru Arjan Dev Ji's mind did not waver. Guru Ji thanked Vaheguru for protecting and saving the honour of his son, Hargobind.
 

maeraa sathigur rakhavaalaa hoaa ||
My True Guru is my Savior and Protector.

dhhaar kirapaa prabh haathh dhae raakhiaa har govidh navaa niroaa ||1|| rehaao ||
Showering us with His Mercy and Grace, God extended His Hand, and saved Hargobind,
who is now safe and secure. ||1||Pause||
(Guru Arjan Dev Ji; GGSJ: Ang 620)
 

Upon seeing his wicked plans failing, Prithi Chand resorted to seeking external help from the Mughals. He believed by getting the Mughals on side and applying further pressure on his brother and his family, he would complete his mission in replacing Guru Arjan Dev Ji as Guru.

Prithi Chand approached the tax officer of Lahore, Sulhi Khan, who was also a senior officer in the Mughal army. Together they hatched a plan for Sulhi Khan to steal the bricks that were being used to construct Sri Harmandir Sahib and to build a mosque instead. Sulhi Khan left Lahore and made his way towards Amritsar.

Upon his travels, Sulhi Khan came to the brick kiln where the bricks for Sri Harmandir Sahib were being prepared. He decided to inspect the quality of the bricks himself and to see if they were of any worth. He mounted his horse and rode along the outer wall of the kiln. Upon seeing the raging fire, the horse became startled and lost control. The horse fell into the pit of the fire, along with Sulhi Khan.

The news of the death of Sulhi Khan and his intentions to steal the bricks reached Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Guru Ji thanked Vaheguru for resolving the affairs of the Guru and Sangat. Work at Sri Harmandir Sahib continued.
 

The news reached Prithi Chand, who was enraged by this. He then approached Sulbi Khan, the brother of Sulhi Khan and told him Guru Arjan Dev Ji was responsible for the death of his brother. Wanting to seek revenge, Sulbi Khan planned to attack the city of Amritsar and loot the Sikh Sangat. On the way to Amritsar, a disagreement broke out between Sulbi Khan and one of his soldiers, Hassan Ali. Hassan Ali withdrew his sword and beheaded Sulbi Khan with one blow.

Below is the Shabad written by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, wherein Guru Ji talks of Sulhi Khan's evil conspiracy against the Lord's servant and the consequences he faced as a result of his actions. Guru Ji uses the term naapaak (disgrace) to refer to how Sulhi Khan died. Islam forbids the burning of the body and for a Muslim to die in a fire is equivalent to dying in the pit fires of hell. Sulhi Khan's life ended in this shameful manner.

Bilaaval, Fifth Mehla

sulehee thae naaraaein raakh ||
The Lord saved me from Sulhi Khan.

sulehee kaa haathh kehee n pahuchai sulehee hoe mooaa naapaak ||1|| rehaao ||
The emperor did not succeed in his plot, and he died in disgrace. ||1||Pause||

kaadt kut(h)aar khasam sir kaattiaa khin mehi hoe gaeiaa hai khaak ||
The Lord and Master raised His axe, and chopped off his head; in an instant, he was reduced to dust. ||1||

ma(n)dhaa chithavath chithavath pachiaa jin rachiaa thin dheenaa dhhaak ||1||
Plotting and planning evil, he was destroyed. The One who created him, gave him a push.

puthr meeth dhhan kishhoo n rehiou s shhodd gaeiaa sabh bhaaee saak ||
Of his sons, friends and wealth, nothing remains; he departed, leaving behind all his brothers and relatives.

kahu naanak this prabh balihaaree jin jan kaa keeno pooran vaak ||2||18||104||
Says Nanak, I am a sacrifice to God, who fulfilled the word of His slave. ||2||18||104||

Related Articles:

Part I: Raja Ambrik

Part II: Bhagat Angra ji and Bhagat Bidar

Part III: Sri Dhru Bhagat & Sri Prahladh Bhagat ji

Part IV: The Story of Ajaamal

Part V: The Story of Bhagat Sudama

Part VI: The story of Gotam Muni & Ahalia

Part VII: The Story of Raja Janak

Part VIII: The Story of Raja Bali

Part IX: The Story of Ajraja-Akrur

Part X:The Story of Bhisham Pitaama 

Part XI: The Story of Chandar Hans

Part XII: The stories of Durbaasha Rishi and Gajinder (the Elephant)

Part XIII:The Stories of Kubija Maalan and Oudhar

Part XIV:The Story of Sarvan Bhagat

Part XV: The Story of Rishi Balmeek 

Part XVI: The Stories of Sankaadik and Rukmaangudh

Part XVII: The Story of Sukdev Muni

Part XVIII: Madhusudan Demon Destroyer

Part XIX: Mother Daraupti

Part XX: The Story of Ganika

Part XXI: Sulhi & Sulbi Khan's Evil Conspiracy

Part XXII: The Story Raja Hari Chand

Part XXIII: The Story of Kaesee Dainth

Part XXIV: The Story of Raagmaala