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KHUSRO


Khusro (6.8.1587 – 29.1.1622), the son of the Mogul emperor Jahangir, was born at Lahore. His mother Shah Begum, was the daughter of a Hindu Raja Bhagwan Das of Amber (Jaipur). Khusro had deep love for his Hindu maternal grandfather. He received his education in such an atmosphere that made him liberal. He had differences with his father prince Salim (later Jahangir). In 1604, his mother committed suicide. This turned him more against his father. In October 1605, Jahangir became the emperor. Now he ordered surveillance of Khusro. On April 6, 1606, Khusro escaped from Agra and moved toward the Punjab. It seems that on his way to Lahore he visited Guru Arjan Sahib at Goindwal. In Punjab Khusro made a bid to become the ruler of Lahore. The Governor of Lahore made his attempt unsuccessful. On April 27, 1606, he was arrested near river Chenab. He, along with his companions, was sentenced to death. The emperor ordered his eyes to be stitched. In 1622, he was killed by his nephew prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan). It is believed that Khusro’s meeting with Guru Arjan Sahib too, for help. This too was one of the reasons of the execution of Guru Sahib. The arrest of Khusro was followed by the arrest of Guru Sahib.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)