Khusrau, Jahangir and the martyrdom
Khusrau's meeting with Guru Ji
Sources agree that the prince and Guru Ji met, but not on where or what took place.
Jahangir says that Guru Ji came out to meet Khusrau where he had halted, told him things and marked his forehead with saffron, a sign considered lucky. Guerreiro, relaying Jesuit reports, turns this into a coronation: Guru Ji congratulated the prince on his new royal state and placed a tiara on his head.
The Mahima Prakash is modest by comparison: the prince was in trouble, Guru Ji gave him the hospitality of the kitchen, and he went on the next morning. Macauliffe has the prince ask for money at Tarn Taran, and has Guru Ji give him five thousand rupees. The Dabistan says only that Guru Ji had prayed for his welfare.
How do we know?
A close source supports this story, and a second independent source agrees.
Ganda Singh doubts the meeting took place at all, pointing out that the Mahima Prakash has Guru Ji at Tarn Taran rather than Goindwal, and that the report reached Jahangir late. Most writers accept a meeting and differ on its meaning. The saffron mark is the disputed act: to Jahangir and the Jesuits it signified royal approval, and to Sikh writers it was at most a blessing.
- From the timeJahangir says Guru Ji came out to the prince and marked his forehead with saffron. (pp. 72-73)[Src]
- From the timeGuerreiro says Guru Ji congratulated the prince and placed his tiara on him. (Appendix to Text 2)[(eds)]
- From the timeThe Dabistan gives prayer for the prince's welfare as the reason for the arrest; Ganda Singh's note argues the report is unreliable and possibly made up.[Src]
- ScholarshipQuotes the Mahima Prakash on one night's hospitality and suggests Tarn Taran as the place.[EoS]
- Later traditionSays the prince visited at Tarn Taran and received 5,000 rupees for his journey.[Macauliffe]
