NANAKI, MATA (d. 1678), mother of Guru Tegh Bahadur, was born to Hari Chand and Hardei, a well to do Khatri couple of Bakala, in the present district of Amritsar. She was married to Guru Hargobind in April 1613. Tegh Bahadur, the youngest of the five sons of Guru Hargobind, was born to her on 1 April 1621. It is said that the Guru on seeing the newborn babe predicted auspiciously: “Of my five sons, he shall take the office of Guru.”
The fond mother rejoiced at the prophecy, but, although Tegh Bahadur grew up into a healthy youth and even exhibited military prowess in the battle of Kartarpur, he seemed to take little interest in worldly affairs. He remained always saturated in the remembrance of God and spoke but little. This raised misgivings in Mata Nanaki`s heart about her son succeeding his father on the throne of Guru Nanak. Besides, her husband had lately started bestowing special favours upon his grandson, Har Rai.
However, when she unburdened her heart to Guru Hargobind, he simply repeated his prophecy and advised her to rejoice in God`s Will. Guru Hargobind passed away on 3 March 1644. Mata Nanaki, obeying her husband`s command, removed to Bakala along with her son and daughter-in-law.Twenty years later, the prophecy was fulfilled and her son was anointed Guru on 11 August 1664.
The family moved back to the Sivalik foothills where Guru Tegh Bahadur founded, on 19 June 1665, a new habitation which he named, after his mother, Chakk Nanaki. Soon after this, however, the Guru set out on a long journey, through the Malva region and what is now Uttar Pradesh, to the eastern parts visiting old sangats. Mata Nanaki accompanied him. Guru Tegh Bahadur had been married since his early youth but had been without off spring.
Mata Nanaki had longed to sec a grandson, and none was happier than her when Gobind Rai was born on 22 December 1666 at Patna.But as the family returned to the Punjab in 1670, the shadows of a gathering gloom were already appearing in the distant horizon. Guru Tegh Bahadur`s increasing concern at the bigoted policies of the Delhi ruler gave rise to forebodings also in the mother`s heart. Her worst fears proved true when, on 16 November 1675, she saw the severed head of her martyred son brought to Chakk Nanaki.
The grief stricken mother was consoled by her grandson, Guru Gobind Singh. Mata Nanaki, re-asssured by the quiet dignity of the young Guru, lived on for another few years. She died in 1678. NANAK MATA in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh is sacred to Guru Nanak and Guru Hargobind.In old times, it was the home of the Siddha yogis.
It was named Gorakh Mata after their principal teacher Gorakhnath. During his encounter with yogis, Guru Nanak had expatiated on the value of the householder`s way, and an UdasT Sikh, Almost by name, had set up a missionary seat on that spot. The place was visited by Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, as well. In modern times, one of the local Nawabs, made a liberal land grant to the shrine.
The present Gurdwara is managed by a committee of prominent local Sikhs. It has a magnificent four storey domed building in a huge compound with ancillary buildings for staff and pilgrims. A sarovar, Nanak Sagar, has been formed by damming the adjoining stream Dcoha. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Tara Singh, Sri Gur Tirnth Sangrahi. Amritsar, n.d. 2. Tliakar Singh, Giani, Sri Gurdudre Dnrshan. Amritsar, 1923 3. Gian Singh, Giani, Twarikh Guru Khalsd [Reprint]. Patiala, 1970
References :
1. Sohan Kavi, Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi. Amritsar, 1968
2. Kuir Singh, Gurbilas Patshahi 10. Patiala, 1968
3. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar. 1927-35
4. Gian Singh, Giani, Panth Prakash. Delhi, 1880
5. Macauliffc, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909
6. Trilochan Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur: Prophet and Martyr. Delhi, 1967
7. Harbans Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur: Delhi, 1982.
Mata Nanaki’s life is a stirring chronicle of devotion, strength, and profound maternal love—qualities that have helped shape Sikh history. Born in 1598 to a respected Khatri family in Bakala (in today’s Amritsar district), she would come to be celebrated not only as the wife of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, but also as the nurturing mother of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru .
Marrying Guru Hargobind in April 1613, Mata Nanaki embraced her role within a household that was destined to influence millions. When Guru Tegh Bahadur, the youngest of Guru Hargobind’s five sons, was born on 1 April 1621, the family was touched by an auspicious prophecy: it was foretold that “of my five sons, he shall take the office of Guru.” Although her heart swelled with pride and hope, Mata Nanaki also experienced moments of apprehension as she witnessed the quiet, introspective nature of her son. Her inner journey, marked by both joy and worry, was met with gentle reassurances from Guru Hargobind himself, who urged her to find solace in the unfolding of the divine will .
Following the passing of Guru Hargobind on 3 March 1644, Mata Nanaki, in obedience to his final wishes, relocated with her family to Bakala. This period of transition bore witness to the gradual fulfillment of the long-cherished prophecy. On 11 August 1664, Guru Tegh Bahadur was formally recognized as the next Guru, heralding a new phase in Sikh spiritual and communal life. Deeply moved by gratitude and respect, her son later established a new settlement on the Shivalik foothills on 19 June 1665—naming it “Chakk Nanaki” in honor of his beloved mother. Her steady presence became the quiet force behind these monumental changes, as she accompanied her son on his pilgrimage through the Malwa region and the heartlands of present-day Uttar Pradesh, reinforcing the bonds of faith and community along the way .
Yet, the path of spiritual legacy was not without its trials. In 1675, the cruel hand of fate struck when Mata Nanaki witnessed the brutal aftermath of her son’s martyrdom—the severed head of Guru Tegh Bahadur arriving at Chakk Nanaki. The painful tableau became a crucible for her unwavering faith. Though grief enveloped her, she found strength in accepting the will of God and solace in the presence of her grandson, Guru Gobind Singh, who embodied the resilient spirit of the Sikh tradition. Mata Nanaki’s resolute acceptance in the face of personal loss stands as a testament to the enduring strength that faith and maternal love can provide during life’s most daunting challenges .
Mata Nanaki’s journey is more than a historical record—it is a beacon illuminating the timeless virtues of compassion, resilience, and the transformative power resident in nurturing familial bonds. Her life continues to inspire millions within and beyond the Sikh community, inviting thoughtful reflection on the role of mothers in sustaining not just families, but entire spiritual movements.
