Guru Har Krishan Ji (1656–1664) was the eighth Sikh Guru and the youngest of all Gurus, installed at the age of five. He is lovingly called Bala Pir (Child Saint).
Key Contributions
- Despite his young age, demonstrated profound spiritual wisdom that astounded scholars and critics
- During a devastating smallpox and cholera epidemic in Delhi, personally tended to the sick and distributed medicine and clean water to all, regardless of religion
- His selfless service during the plague is commemorated at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi, where the sacred sarovar (pool) is believed to have healing properties
Legacy Guru Har Krishan Ji contracted smallpox while serving the sick in Delhi and passed at the age of eight. Before passing, when asked who the next Guru would be, he said "Baba Bakale" — indicating that the Guru would be found in the town of Bakala. This led to the identification of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.