Guru Shri Harkrishan was the eight Guru, and is most well known for being the youngest Guru. At the age of 5, Guru Har Krishan succeeded his father, Guru Har Rai. Tragically, the young Guru passed away only two years later after contracting smallpox. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi was built on the site where Guru Har Krishan helped many sick people inflicted with smallpox, and also where he passed away from the same disease.
Guru Har Krishan physical body passed away from this planet on Saturday, 16 April 1664. He was cremated at the present site of this Gurdwara, Bala Sahib Gurdwara. This was the place where he had camped to look after the sick and suffering poverty stricken people of Delhi. He was long remembered by the Muslims as "Bala Pir" and by the Hindus as "Balmukand". In their Invocation prayer (ardas) written by Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs repeat everyday these words,"Contemplate on Guru Harkrishan, the vision of whose divine personality dispels all sorrow and suffering."
