Arming and martial training

The saintly and peaceful Guru Arjan Dev Ji, when experiencing extreme torture during his captivity, concentrated and relied upon God for guidance to save the nascent Sikh Sangat from annihilation. The only solution revealed to him was to guard the Sangat through the use of arms. He pondered over the problem continuously until finally reaching the conclusion that the militarization of Sikhism had become a necessity. Hence, Guru Arjan Dev Ji sent a Sikh disciple to his young son, the eleven year old HarGobind, to nominate him as the Guru of the Sikhs, giving him the last injunction: "Let him sit fully armed on his throne and maintain an army to the best of his capacity."

Guru HarGobind Ji excelled in matters of the state and his Darbar (Court) was noted for its splendor. The arming and training of some of his devoted followers began, and once the Guru came to possess seven hundred horses, his Risaldari] (Army) grew to three hundred horsemen and sixty gunners. Additionally, five hundred men from the Majha area of Punjab were recruited as infantry. Guru HarGobind Ji built a fortress at Amritsar called Lohgarh (Fortress of Steel). He had his own flag and a war-drum which was beaten twice a day. Those who had worked to have Guru Arjan destroyed now turned their attention and efforts to convincing Jahangir that the Lohgarh fort, the Akal Takhat, and the growing Risaldari army were all intended to allow Guru HarGobind Ji to one day take revenge for his father's unjust death.

Akal Takht

Guru HarGobind Ji constructed the Akal Takht (God's throne) in front of Harmandar Sahib in 1606. There, he sat on a raised platform of twelve feet, attired in princely clothes. The Harmandar Sahib was the seat of his spiritual authority and the Akal Takht was the seat of his temporal (worldly) authority. This marked the beginning of Sikh militarization. To the symbols of sainthood were added marks of sovereignty, including the umbrella and the Kalgi. Guru HarGobind administered justice like a king, awarding honors and meting out punishment. The Akal Takht was the first Takht in the history of the Sikhs. According to Cunningham: "The genial disposition of the martial apostle led him to rejoice in the companionship of a camp, in the dangers of war, and in the excitements of the chase."

State within a state

The Sikhs had formed a separate and independent identity which was sovereign from the government agencies of the day. Thus, the Sikh entity came to occupy a sort of independent state within the Mughal Empire.

Congregational prayers

Guru HarGobind Ji established congregational prayers which added to the religious fervor among the Sikhs, while also strengthening their unity and brotherhood. Mohsin Fani, the author of 'Dabistan', states that when a Sikh wished for a favor or gift from God, he would come to the assembly of Sikhs and request them to pray for him - even the Guru asked the Sikh congregation to pray for him.

People hostile towards young Guru

There were many people who were hostile towards Guru HarGobind when he assumed leadership of the Sikhs. His uncle, Prithi Mal, who was the brother of Guru Arjan, continued his intrigues against Guru HarGobind. Prithi Mal had, unsuccessfully, tried to kill Guru HarGobind by unleashing a deadly snake upon when he was a child. Prithi Mal continued to complain about the Guru to Emperor Jahangir.

Chandu Shah, who had been the foremost figure in complaining to Jahangir about Guru Arjan Dev Ji, transferred his hostilities towards Guru HarGobind instead.

Shaikh Ahmad Sirhandi was hostile towards the Sikh Gurus and most probably incited the Emperor, too.

Emperor Jahangir was fearful that Guru HarGobind might seek revenge for his father's arrest, torture, and subsequent death.

Religious activities

Guru HarGobind did not neglect the work of preaching and spreading the Sikh faith. He sent his Sikhs to distant places, such as Bengal and Bihar, to preach Sikhism. Guru HarGobind allowed Udasis to preach Sikhism. Bhai Gurdas mentions in his second var the names of Nawal and Nihala, two sabharwal khatris who established their business in Bihar, and under whose influence many locals adopted Sikhism. In his private life, Guru HarGobind never abandoned the true character of Guru Nanak, whom he succeeded and whose teachings he had to spread in this world.