Prithi Chand: A Contentious Figure in Sikh History
Biography
Prithi Chand, born in 1558, was the elder son of Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. He aspired to inherit the Guruship from his father, but Guru Ram Das instead chose his younger brother, Arjan Dev, as the successor.
Mina Sect
Embittered by his father's decision, Prithi Chand established the unorthodox Mina sect of Sikhism, known for its "unscrupulous" practices and support for the atrocities committed by the Mughal Empire.
Conflict with Arjan and Hargobind
Prithi Chand vehemently opposed the Guruship of Arjan and later his son, Hargobind. He created a parallel scripture that incorporated earlier Guru's hymns and his own poetry. His aim was to gain followers and secure the support of the Mughal Empire.
Unsuccessful Attempts to Gain Control
Prithi Chand's followers forcibly seized control of the Sikh holy city of Amritsar. However, Guru Hargobind re-established his Guruship in the Himalayan foothills. Prithi Chand and his followers made repeated attempts to harm the subsequent Sikh Gurus, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Literary and Political Influence
Despite his controversial legacy, Prithi Chand was a skilled devotional poet. His poetic abilities, combined with his use of Guru Nanak's hymns, likely prompted Guru Arjan to compile the first manuscript of the Adi Granth.
Decline of the Mina Sect
The wars of Guru Gobind Singh and the rise of the Khalsa brotherhood ultimately eroded the power of the Mina sect. Its influence largely diminished, and the followers became largely extinct.
Legacy
Prithi Chand remains a contentious figure in Sikh history. His ambition, rivalry with his brothers, and unorthodox practices have left a lasting mark on the Sikh faith. His descendants, the Sodhis of Guru Harsahai and Malwa, are believed to be remnants of the Mina sect.