Later Mughals v1.c6.s17.25

v1.c6.s17.25

There are several accounts of Guru Govind Singh's death, but the two more usually received agree in stating that it was a death by violence.* Of these stories, one is that an Afghan horse-dealer had sold some horses to the Guru. Payment was delayed. One day, the dealer clamoured for his money with angry gestures. Provoked by the man's words, Govind Singh cut him down. Some time afterwards the Afghan's sons found their opportunity and stabbed the Guru mortally, when asleep or unguarded. This story is also slightly varied. The Guru, in this version, is supposed to have repented of his violence and showed favour to the murdered man's son. One day, when they were alone together, the Guru taunted the youth for his cowardice in not revenging his father. The boy struck him with his dagger, inflicting a slight wound, through which the entrails protruded. The wound was sewn up and was healing, when Govind Singh, in attempting to string his bow, burst the stitches, the bowels again protruded, and he died almost immediately.