born 1630, Punjab, India
died 1661, Punjab
Seventh Sikh Guru (1644–61).
He was nominated as Guru by his grandfather, Guru Hargobind , and his leadership marked a decline in the fortunes of his followers. Contemplative by temperament, he shunned military obligations and weakened the Sikhs in their struggle against India's Mughal emperors. He made a political blunder by helping the brother of the emperor Aurangzeb foment a rebellion. His son, Ram Rai, won him a pardon, but he did it by altering a line of the Ādi Granth ; Hari Rai punished him for this blasphemy by passing him over in selecting the next Guru.