Gurdwara Sri Sher Shikar Sahib

Location - Muchhkund, Dholpur, Rajasthan 328001, India

Associated with - Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji

Sikh Artifacts - unknown

Sarovar - None

Sarai - unknown

Gurdwara Sri Sher Shikar Sahib, (Gurdwara of the Tiger Hunt) is situated in Muchhkund, in Dholpur, Rajasthan, India.

This Gurdwara is associated with Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji visit to this area and Guru Sahib's part in the fabled hunt of a 'Sher'.

The story mentions a Lion by some and as a Tiger by others. 'Sher' can be taken for either Lion or Tiger in Persian or Punjabi.

History

While travelling towards Gwalior, with emperor Jahangir, Guru Hargobind arrived at Machkund on 4th March 1612 and stayed in the Bhamtipura village.

The head of the village informed Jahangir of a deadly lion that was stalking the local villagers and asked the emperor to save them from the lion.

It is said that Jahangir had quickly thought to use the lion hunt as an opportunity to bring about Guru Hargobind's death. However, history records, that a very different result took place as a result of this fabled hunt.

While the emperor's hunting party was in the forest searching for the lion, the lion suddenly charged in the direction of Jahangir. Jahangir and his soldiers quickly fired their guns and arrows missing the great beast. Fearlessly the maddened lion continued his charge toward the emperor. Seeing this, the terrified Jahangir screamed out for help.

It is said that at this point, Guru Hargobind jumped from his horse and stood between Jahangir and the lion and speaking to the lion said;

"Ae kale yaman pehlan toon war kar lae kidre tere man di iccha baaki na reh jaye"
Hey Kaal Yaman (name of a King of Dwapar yug), first attack me, so that your desire to attack is fulfilled and you have no further desire.

The Lion Attack

The lion attacked Guru Hargobind with it's full force. Guru Hargobind raised his shield, with his left hand, in front of the lion and with the sword, in his right hand, slashed the lion across its back killing him with the one motion. Jahangir now realised that the Guru was not only spiritually powerful but also physically powerful as well. His fearless defence of the emperor while the emperor's own soldiers had turned their backs in fear drove that point home to Jahangir.

After the incident the emperor often asked Guru Hargobind to join his travels around his kingdom, but soon Chandu Shah, who had played a large part in the death of the Guru's father — Guru Arjan, hatched a plot against the young Guru.

Chandu's Evil Plot

At Agra, Jahangir was taken seriously ill. When his own healers failed to cure him, the emperor had turned to the 'tried and true' method of old indians — his astrologers. They blamed the alignment of the stars — the Graha's, whose very name spoke of their influence in men's affairs. Chandu Shah in league with the astrologers saw their chance to stem the growing influence of Guru Hargobind. After all it was Guru Nanak who had called such astrology into question, teaching his followers to turn their backs on such superstitions. The emperor was told that only a holy man offering prayers at Gwalior Fort could save his life. They said that their was none holier than Guru Hargobind, the emperor's new friend. The request was soon related to Guru Hargobind.

Guru Hargobind's Stay At Gwalior Fort

Guru Hargobind, suspicious of Chandu's intrigues and the request by the emperor, gladly travelled to the fort with five companions to undertake prayers for the emperor's recovery. At that time, 52 Raja's were jailed under terrible conditions in the fort. Guru Hargobind had the Raja's conditions improved and asked the men to join him in his daily prayers. It is related that Chandu Shah gave orders to the Governor of the fort to have the Guru's food laced with poison, little did he know that the Governor, Hari Das was an ardent admirer of Guru Hargobind.

Jahangir's illness ended but Guru Hargobind was left in the Fort where he soon began to think of himself as also being a prisoner. An admirer of Guru Hargobind in Jahangir's court reminded the emperor of his debt to Guru Hargobind and his release was ordered. The Guru refused to leave unless all the princes were released. Resistant to the request, the emperor soon gave in and freed the long suffering men. Today the part of Gwalior fort where the Guru stayed is known as Bandi Chor (the releaser of the imprisoned).

Afterwards

For a while, after the Guru's slaying of the Lion, udasi sadhus (religious sages) did Gurbani kirtan and maintained a free Langar (kitchen) at this place. Later, the udasi sadhus abandoned the site and it was rarely visited. The Maharani of Dholpur, who was a daughter of the Maharaja Patiala, found the sacred place and Guru Granth Sahib prakash was done here.

Baba Thakur Singh who was at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, while returning to the Punjab heard of Guru Hargobind's deeds at the site and paid a visit here. He found an old Thara Sahib (platform). A small sword and kundals were unearthed here at a depth of nearly 5 meters. After that the site gained in popularity.

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