In Delhi
Did Guru Ji meet the emperor?
One line of tradition gives a visit to court and a test with two trays, while another has Guru Ji refusing to go.
Guru kian Sakhian, as reported in the Encyclopaedia, says Sri Guru Har Krishan Ji went to court on 25 March 1664. Aurangzeb had two large trays set out. One held jewels, clothes and toys, and the other a holy man's cloak and cap. Guru Ji pushed away the first tray and took the second, and the emperor was impressed.
He then meant to send for Guru Ji again and ask for a miracle. Guru Ji sensed this and privately resolved not to see him any more, remembering how Sri Guru Har Rai Ji had treated Ram Rai for performing wonders at court.
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Macauliffe tells it differently. In his version Guru Ji sends a message that the elder brother is already with the emperor and is the one to deal with such things, adding that a meeting could only sharpen a family quarrel. The emperor, he says, was astonished to hear this from a seven-year-old.
How do we know?
The sources conflict on this story, or scholars doubt it.
Both versions are later Sikh tellings. Neither is backed by a Mughal record read for this page.
- Later traditionReports from Guru kian Sakhian a visit to court on Chet sudi 9, 1721 Bikrami, 25 March 1664, with a choice between trays of finery and of a holy man's dress.[EoS]
- Later traditionRepeats the 25 March visit and says the demand for a miracle made Guru Ji resolve never to see the emperor again.[EoS]
- Later traditionHas Guru Ji decline an audience, reasoning that a father near the end of his life had left dealings with the emperor to the elder brother, and repeating the refusal near the end. (pp. 322-323, 328)[Macauliffe]