Guru Harkrishan was the eighth guru of Sikhs. He was born on 7th July 1656 AD at Kiratpur, Punjab. His father was seventh Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai and mother was Sulakhni. Though Max Arthur Macauliffe mentioned in his book "The Sikh Religion" the name of Guru Harkrishan's mother as Krishan Kaur. Guru Harkrishan was the youngest amongst his three siblings. His elder brother Ram Rai was nine years elder to him while his sister Sarup Kaur was elder to him by almost four years. He was born in a palace called Sheeh Mahal. It is said that this palace was made on the model of Sheesh Mahal of Jaipur and it was Guru Har Rai's residence.

Guru Harkrishan was installed as Guru at the age of five years and three months, at Kiratpur. At the time of installation of Harkrishan as Guru, Ram Rai his elder brother was in the court of Emperor of Delhi. He after learning that Guruship was passed to his younger borther, became furious and envious of Guru Harkrishan. He requested the emperor to summon Harkrishan to Delhi and ask him to perform the miracles similar to what he had performed. Ram Rai knew that Guru Harkrishan taken a vow to never appear before the emperor as it was also an order given to him by his father Guru Har Rai.