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Summary of Question:	Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Wives
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Saturday, 1/27/2001 8:39 PM MST

Earlier you said that Guru Gobind Singh Ji only had 1 wife, and another was the mother of khalsa. My question is that, upon research, I have found that Baba Ajit Singh Ji, and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, had different mothers! Baba Ajit Singh ji's mother was Mata Sundari.....Baba Jujhar, Baba Fateh, and Baba Johawar Singh were all conceived by Mata Jito....while Mata Sahib Kaur was the mother of the Khalsa.

Is this true?...i thought the practice of polygamy was against our religion.....I'm not trying to create some problems here, but it's something that I haven't understood in a long time. Sikhism is a Grand religion, but can you please clear this up for me.

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REPLY
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Dear One:

Sat Siri Akal. This issue has troubled a number of Sikhs -- you are not alone. The research you cite above is indeed true. But let's put it in perspective.

I once heard a Sikh scholar explain that the reason 10th Guru came to have 3 wives is because in his time there was an Indian (not specifically Sikh) tradition where devoted families pledged their daughters to Guru. Once Guru found out about this, he was in a poor position to say no; in those times once a girl was betrothed she could not be re-betrothed. It put the families in an awkward position. So this is how he came to have 3 wives. Another scholarly account I read once also said that Guru wanted to show that Guru is equal to Mughal rulers of India at that time, so he took advantage of the situation on this matter. The Mughal rulers often had several wives, so in THEIR eyes he was placing himself on the same level as them.

You are also correct that Sikhi does not allow a man to have more than one wife at a time. Legally divorced Sikhs, however, can remarry.

I certainly hopes this resolves this issue for you.
Guru Rakha,
-DKK