Guru Hargobind 377th Death Anniversary: From constructing Kaal Takht to participate in warfare, 11 lesser-known facts about sixth guru of Sikhs

New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: The sixth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Singh, died in 1644 at Kiratpur Sahib. Son of Guru Arjan Dev and Mata Ganga became a guru at the young age of 11 after the execution of his father by Mughal emperor Jahangir. Born on June 19, 1595, Guru Hargobind was cremated near River Sutlej. This year devotees will observe the Guru's 377th death anniversary and in his remembrance here we are with some lesser-known facts about the sixth guru. Take a look

• The highest spiritual seat of the Sikh community, the Kaal Takht was constructed by him.
• Guru Hargobind built a fort near Amritsar and named it Lohgarh.
• He was an expert swordsperson, horse rider and wrestler.
• He was the first guru to be a part of warfare.
• As per reports, Guru Hargobind survived several attempts to kill him. Once he survived when his uncle tried to poison him, and later he had an escape from death when a cobra snake was thrown at him. 
• He was pir a spiritual leader, mir, or chieftain of his people to protect them with force of arms.
• Apart from building an army, Guru Hargobind promoted the teachings of Sikhism and sent his followers to different places in the country to spread Guru Nanak's word who was the first Guru of Sikhs.
• He was imprisoned by Mughal emperor Jahangir but as Sikh, devotion in him intensified and later the emperor was forced to free him after 12 years of imprisonment.
• The Sikhs under him succeeded in defeating the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's army as many as four times.  
• Guru Hargobind added an ideal to Sikhism which said, "The right and duty of the Sikhs to defend their faith by the sword if necessary."
• Har Rai, Guru Hargobind Singh's grandson was appointed as his successor shortly before his death.