My Malice and Bias

Painting Sikh Gurus I am going to discuss a topic that is very close to my heart. Should we have paintings of the Gurus at our homes or Gurdwaras or not? You may have a strong opinion on this topic but lets rationally look at all aspects on this issue before we form a polarized view. Why the Fuss About? Idolizing the mythological Gods and historical individuals have been an age old tradition in India. The sculptures and paintings of Hindu Gods, Jain Tirthankars, and Buddha are revered in temples as well as at peoples homes.  In Islam, however it's an absolute prohibition - Muhammad, or any of the other prophets of Islam, should not be pictured in any way. Pictures - as well as statues. Historically though Mohammad has been painted by Muslim artists during the earlier period of Islam. At what point then, did depictions of Muhammad become Haram, or forbidden? The advent of mass-circulation print media in the 18th century posed a challenge and a global ban was dictated to the devouts....

There is an old mansion in Mochi Gate area of old Lahore known popularly as the " Lal Havel i". The people of old Lahore still place oil lamps there at an old well known as the " Lal Khuh " every year. They also purchase "Barfi", a local sweet and distribute it to the poor. They do so to make a "Wish" or "Mannat" in the memory of friendship between Hazrat Mian Mir with Guru Arjan Dev , the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. Let's take a few moments to discuss the execution of the Guru and the subsequent reaction of Lahore's local population. Lamps lit at Lal Khuh, Lahore (2017) Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਦੇਵ) (1563 - 1606) was the fifth Guru of Sikhs. He was born in Goindval Punjab India the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani , the daughter of Guru Amar Das . Guru Arjan at Harmandir Sahib A summary of the main highlights of Guru Ji's life: Compiled and collated the Hymns of the previous Sikh G...

Khusrau Mirza (1587 – 1622) or Prince Khusrau was the eldest son of the Mughal emperor Jahangir . His mother, Manbhawati Bai  was the daughter of Rajput Raja Bhagwant Das of Amber (Jaipur), head of the Kushwaha clan of Rajputs. Emperor Akbar was disappointed with his only son Prince Salim who was addicted to opium and wine. Salim (who later became the Emperor Jahangir) regularly disobeyed royal orders and became infamous for murdering Akbar's grand vizier Abul Fazal . After Akbar's death, the Mughal court was divided in two camps - Raja Man Singh of Amber and moderate Muslim courtiers preferred Prince Khusrao who was popular with the public because of his moderate Sufi beliefs. The powerful Persian nobles and Muslim clergy preferred Jahangir as Emperor of India. Mughal Family Feud Moderate vs. Clergy Emperor Akbar had brought his grandson Khusrao up in the liberal tradition he had fostered. He had the support of his mother Manbhawati and Raja Man Singh of Amber....