The first and foremost Takht is the Sri Akaal Takht Sahib Jee.
The literal meaning of Takht is ‘throne which is sat on by an emperor.’
Akaal means Timeless. We often refer to Vaheguroo (God) as The Timeless One as He is not bound by time. Vaheguroo has
always been here, is here with us now and will always be here.
After the shaheedi of Sri Guroo Arjan Dev Jee (the fifth Guroo of the Sikhs), Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee (the sixth Guroo
of the Sikhs) built the Akaal Takht Sahib with Bhai Gurdas Jee and Baba Buddha Jee. Guroo Jee named the Takht after
God and not after himself, his father or even after Sri Guroo Naanak Dev Jee.
Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee said that whoever comes in to the fold/organisation/protection of the Miri Piri (temporal and
spiritual power) will be saved. Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee said it is now time to turn to the sword. The two
kirpaans of miri and piri where placed on Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee by Baba Buddha Jee.
Guroo Jee also installed two Nishaan Sahibs near Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. The one closest to the Takht is lower than the one
that is closer to Sri Harmandir Sahib Jee. This signifies that a Sikh must be a saint (piri) first and then a soldier (miri).
Guroo Saahib would spend their evenings at Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. Here, they would see the bravery/strength of their
Sikhs. Two dhadhi’s by the names of Bhai Abdula Jee and Bhai Natha Jee (from Sursingh) would sing tales about brave
warriors in battle. Over a period of two months they sang all twenty four vaars from Sri Guroo Granth Saahib Jee
Maharaaj.
The Akaal Takht Sahib is the highest political institute of the Sikhs. Sikhs would be invited to attend from far and
wide. Under the guidance of Dhan Sri Guroo Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj the final decision would be read out by the
Jathedhar and this would be accepted by the Khalsa Panth. This continues even today. At the times of Sri Guroo
Hargobind Sahib Jee Sarbat Khalsa would take place twice a year (at Diwali and Vaisakhi).
The last Sarbat Khalsa was called in 1986 by the Panth, in which it was agreed that the struggle for an independent Sikh
state will continue until victory is achieved.
In 1984, the Government of India attacked the Akaal Takht Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib with tanks and armoured
vehicles. Thousands of Sikhs lost their lives, the youngest martyr of this onslaught was a 5 year old girl named Bibi
Vaheguroo Kaur Jee who gave her life with the whole of her family. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh
bodyguards on 31 October 1984.