Guru Tegh Bahadur (1 April 1621 – 11 November 1675)
Early life
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the youngest of the five sons of Guru Har Gobind. He
was born in Amritsar in the early hours of 1 April 1621. The name Tegh
Bahadur (mighty of the sword), was given to him by Guru Hargobind after he
had shown his valour in a battle with the Mughals. Amritsar at that time was
the centre of Gursikh faith. Under Guru Hargobind, it had become even more
renowned. By virtue of being seat of the Guru and by its connection with the
Sikhs in far flung areas of the country through the chains of masands it had
developed the characteristics of a state capital.
Tegh Bahadur was brought up in the most approved Sikh style. He was
trained in the arts of archery and horsemanship and taught old classics. He is
taken to be of deep mystical temperament with his prolonged spells of
seclusion and contemplation. Tegh Bahadur was married on 4 February 1633,
with Gujri.
Nearing his end, Guru Hargobind asked Nanaki, mother of Tegh Bahadur, to
go and live in the village of Bakala. She departed with Tegh Bahadur and
Gujri to make home in Bakala, which was the native pace of the mother of the
Sixth Guru.
Stay at Bakala
Bakala of those days as described in Gurbilas Dasvin Patishahi was a
properous town with many beautiful pools, wells and baolis. He lived a strict
and holy life and spent most of his time in meditation. Yet, he was not a
recluse and attended to family responsibilities. He went out riding and he
followed the chase. He made visits outside Bakala and also visited Guru Har
Krishan, when the latter was in Delhi.
As Guru of Sikhs
During his stay in Delhi, Guru Har Krishan was seized with smallpox. When
asked by his followers as to who would lead them after him, he replied Baba
Bakale, meaning his successor was to be found in Bakala.
Some pretenders took advantage of the ambiguity in the words of the dying
Guru and installed themselves as Guru of Sikhs. The most influential of them
was nephew of Tegh Bahadur, Dhir Mall. The Sikhs were puzzled to see so
many claimants and could not make out who the real Guru was.
A wealthy trader Makhan Shah
Lubana arrived in search of the
Guru. He went from one Guru to
the next making his obeisance and
offering two gold Mohurs (coins)
to each guru, while before he had
promised to give god 500 coins for
his safety in a storm. Then he disco-
vered that a saintly man named
Tegh Bahadur also lived there who
made no claims about himself.
""Makhan Shah Lubana" lost no time and went straight to the house of Tegh
Bahadur. There he made the usual offering of two gold coins. Tegh Bahadur
gave him his blessings and remarked that his offering was considerably short
of the promised five hundred. Makhan Shah forthwith made good the
difference and ran upstairs. He began shouting from the rooftop: Guru ladho
re, Guru ladho re (I have found the Guru, I have found the Guru).
The responsibility of instructing and guiding the Sikh community was now of
Guru Tegh Bahadur's. He was the focal point of veneration of the Sikhs. They
came singly and in batches to seek spiritual solace and inspiration. And by
his teachings and practise, he moulded their religious and social conscience.
As had been the custom since Guru Har Gobind, Guru Tegh Bahadur kept a
splendid lifestyle. He had his armed attendance and other marks of royalty.
But he himself lived austerely. Sikh or other documents make no mention of
any clash with the ruling power having occurred during his time. Travels
were undertaken by him in different parts of the country to preach the
teachings of Guru Nanak. His places of visit included Dacca and Assam. It
was during one of these visits that his son Guru Gobind Singh was born.
The Guru made three successive visits to Kiratpur. On 21 August 1664, Guru
Tegh Bahadur went there to console with Bibi Rup Kaur upon the passing
away of her father, Guru Har Rai, and of her brother, Guru Har Krishan. The
second visit was on 15 October 1664, at the death on 29 September 1664, of
Mata Bassi, mother of Guru Har Rai. A third visit concluded a fairly
extensive journey through Majha, Malwa and Bangar districts of the Punjab.
Crossing the Beas and Sutlej rivers, Guru Tegh Bahadur arrived in the
Malwa. He visited Zira and Moga and reached Darauli. He then sojourned in
the Lakhi Jungle, a desolate and sandy tract comprising mainly present-day
districts of Bhatinda and Faridkot. According to the Guru kian Sakhian,
Baisakhi of 1665 was celebrated at Sabo-ki Talwandi, now known as
Damdama Sahib. This journey took Guru Tegh Bahadur up to Dhamdhan, near
Jind, from where he returned to Kiratpur. The Dowager Rani Champa of
Bilaspur offered to give the Guru a piece of land in her state. The Guru
bought the site on payment of Rs 500). The land consisted of the villages of
Lodhipur, Mianpur and Sahota. Here on the mound of Makhowal, Guru Tegh
Bahadur raised n habitation.
Notable events
Guru Har Gobind Ji was Guru Tegh Bahadur's father. He was originally
named Tyag Mal but was later renamed Tegh Bahadur after his gallant
displays of sword fighting in the wars against the Mughal forces. He built the
city of Anandpur Sahib, and was responsible for saving the Kashmiri Pandits,
who were being persecuted by the Mughals. Guru Tegh Bahadur toured
various parts of India, and was requested by Gobind Sahali to construct
several domes in Mahali.
He contributed many hymns to the Guru Granth Sahib including the Saloks
(Mahal 9) near the end of the Guru Granth Sahib, which are extremely
popular.
Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred in Delhi by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, was built over
where the Guru was beheaded, and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, also in
Delhi, is built on the site of the residence of Lakhi Shah Vanjara, a disciple of
the Guru, who burnt his house in order to cremate the Guru's body.
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the youngest of the five sons of Guru Har Gobind. He
was born in Amritsar in the early hours of 1 April 1621. The name Tegh
Bahadur (mighty of the sword), was given to him by Guru Hargobind after he
had shown his valour in a battle with the Mughals. Amritsar at that time was
the centre of Gursikh faith. Under Guru Hargobind, it had become even more
renowned. By virtue of being seat of the Guru and by its connection with the
Sikhs in far flung areas of the country through the chains of masands it had
developed the characteristics of a state capital.
Tegh Bahadur was brought up in the most approved Sikh style. He was
trained in the arts of archery and horsemanship and taught old classics. He is
taken to be of deep mystical temperament with his prolonged spells of
seclusion and contemplation. Tegh Bahadur was married on 4 February 1633,
with Gujri.
Nearing his end, Guru Hargobind asked Nanaki, mother of Tegh Bahadur, to
go and live in the village of Bakala. She departed with Tegh Bahadur and
Gujri to make home in Bakala, which was the native pace of the mother of the
Sixth Guru.
Stay at Bakala
Bakala of those days as described in Gurbilas Dasvin Patishahi was a
properous town with many beautiful pools, wells and baolis. He lived a strict
and holy life and spent most of his time in meditation. Yet, he was not a
recluse and attended to family responsibilities. He went out riding and he
followed the chase. He made visits outside Bakala and also visited Guru Har
Krishan, when the latter was in Delhi.
As Guru of Sikhs
During his stay in Delhi, Guru Har Krishan was seized with smallpox. When
asked by his followers as to who would lead them after him, he replied Baba
Bakale, meaning his successor was to be found in Bakala.
Some pretenders took advantage of the ambiguity in the words of the dying
Guru and installed themselves as Guru of Sikhs. The most influential of them
was nephew of Tegh Bahadur, Dhir Mall. The Sikhs were puzzled to see so
many claimants and could not make out who the real Guru was.
A wealthy trader Makhan Shah
Lubana arrived in search of the
Guru. He went from one Guru to
the next making his obeisance and
offering two gold Mohurs (coins)
to each guru, while before he had
promised to give god 500 coins for
his safety in a storm. Then he disco-
vered that a saintly man named
Tegh Bahadur also lived there who
made no claims about himself.
""Makhan Shah Lubana" lost no time and went straight to the house of Tegh
Bahadur. There he made the usual offering of two gold coins. Tegh Bahadur
gave him his blessings and remarked that his offering was considerably short
of the promised five hundred. Makhan Shah forthwith made good the
difference and ran upstairs. He began shouting from the rooftop: Guru ladho
re, Guru ladho re (I have found the Guru, I have found the Guru).
The responsibility of instructing and guiding the Sikh community was now of
Guru Tegh Bahadur's. He was the focal point of veneration of the Sikhs. They
came singly and in batches to seek spiritual solace and inspiration. And by
his teachings and practise, he moulded their religious and social conscience.
As had been the custom since Guru Har Gobind, Guru Tegh Bahadur kept a
splendid lifestyle. He had his armed attendance and other marks of royalty.
But he himself lived austerely. Sikh or other documents make no mention of
any clash with the ruling power having occurred during his time. Travels
were undertaken by him in different parts of the country to preach the
teachings of Guru Nanak. His places of visit included Dacca and Assam. It
was during one of these visits that his son Guru Gobind Singh was born.
The Guru made three successive visits to Kiratpur. On 21 August 1664, Guru
Tegh Bahadur went there to console with Bibi Rup Kaur upon the passing
away of her father, Guru Har Rai, and of her brother, Guru Har Krishan. The
second visit was on 15 October 1664, at the death on 29 September 1664, of
Mata Bassi, mother of Guru Har Rai. A third visit concluded a fairly
extensive journey through Majha, Malwa and Bangar districts of the Punjab.
Crossing the Beas and Sutlej rivers, Guru Tegh Bahadur arrived in the
Malwa. He visited Zira and Moga and reached Darauli. He then sojourned in
the Lakhi Jungle, a desolate and sandy tract comprising mainly present-day
districts of Bhatinda and Faridkot. According to the Guru kian Sakhian,
Baisakhi of 1665 was celebrated at Sabo-ki Talwandi, now known as
Damdama Sahib. This journey took Guru Tegh Bahadur up to Dhamdhan, near
Jind, from where he returned to Kiratpur. The Dowager Rani Champa of
Bilaspur offered to give the Guru a piece of land in her state. The Guru
bought the site on payment of Rs 500). The land consisted of the villages of
Lodhipur, Mianpur and Sahota. Here on the mound of Makhowal, Guru Tegh
Bahadur raised n habitation.
Notable events
Guru Har Gobind Ji was Guru Tegh Bahadur's father. He was originally
named Tyag Mal but was later renamed Tegh Bahadur after his gallant
displays of sword fighting in the wars against the Mughal forces. He built the
city of Anandpur Sahib, and was responsible for saving the Kashmiri Pandits,
who were being persecuted by the Mughals. Guru Tegh Bahadur toured
various parts of India, and was requested by Gobind Sahali to construct
several domes in Mahali.
He contributed many hymns to the Guru Granth Sahib including the Saloks
(Mahal 9) near the end of the Guru Granth Sahib, which are extremely
popular.
Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred in Delhi by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, was built over
where the Guru was beheaded, and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, also in
Delhi, is built on the site of the residence of Lakhi Shah Vanjara, a disciple of
the Guru, who burnt his house in order to cremate the Guru's body.
GURU VISITS AMRITSAR
When Guru Ji visited the Harimandir Sahib, the pujaris locked the gates and
did not allow Guru Ji to enter the Gurdwara.
However the womenfolk of Amritsar welco-
med Him. It was here that he uttered these
words, Amritsariey Ander sariey - Maian
Rab Rajaian (Black hearted are the men of
Amritsar, but the women are blessed by God).
This episode is from the Suraj Parkash by
Bhai Santokh Singh.
When Guru Har Gobind shifted his headquar-
ters to Kiratpur, most of his disciples had also
moved to that place with him and the Golden
Temple at Amritsar fell ultimately into the
hands of the impostors like Harji Minas. In
November 1664, Guru Tegh Bahadur went to Amritsar. He bathed in the
sacred tank but the Pujaris (or the ministrants) closed the doors of the Har
Mandar against him. He saluted it and remarked that it was they who were
rotten within, who through greed of offerings, had entered the temple. When
the news spread, the people of Amritsar went in a body and poured their
souls at his feet. The women of the city took the lead, welcome him with the
Guru's hymns and went with him singing all the way to the village Wadala (or
Walla) where he stayed in the humble abode of a devout disciple. The
Master blessed the women of Amritsar and Amritsar itself. On seeing their
devotion he blessed them with these words,God's love and devotion shall
ever abide among you.
GURU ON MISSIONARY TOUR
Bhai Ramdev, a devoted desciple of Guru Teg Bahadur served water to the
Sangat with devotion and zeal. He also served the Great guru whenever he
went out by sprinkling his path with water to settle the dust. He thus earned
the epithet of Bhai Mihan Sahib Ji .
After founding the new settlement, the
Guru did not stay there long. However
he entrusted the construction work to
his trustworthy followers. It is said that
the Guru undertook his missionary tour
of the east in response to the invitation
of his Sikhs from that area, Bhai Bulaki
Das and Bhai Hulas Chand from Dacca
and Bhai Darbara and Bhai Chain Sukh
from Patna. These Sikhs had met the
Guru at Kiratpur and begged him to
visit their land in the east with his family. The Guru left Anandpur in August,
1665.
After leaving Anandpur he passed through Ghanauli, Rupar, Dadoomajra and
Lung village and then reached Mulowal in Patiala state. The people of
Mulowal complained to him that they did not have drinking water nearby and
or that purpose they had to travel a long distance. There was a well nearby
but its water was brackish and unwholesome. The Guru told them to first
repeat God's Name, then draw water, and they would find it pure and sweet.
From that day the well yielded sweet water and it is known Guru's well.
He then proceeded to Pharwali, Handiaya, Bhandehar, Khiwa and Bhikki. He
gave religious instructions wherever he stopped and instructed the people not
to worship idols and tombs, but worship only One God, the Formless. He
passed through the villages of Dhaleo, Alisheir, Khiala and reached Maur
where he was awaited by a great concourse of people to whom he preached
true Name. He induced the people to sink a well over there. He then went to
Maisarkhana and thence to Sabo ki Talwandi, now known as Damdama
Sahib and then travelled to Kot Dharmwala, Bachhoana, Gobindpura,
Sangheri, Gurna and reached Dhamdhan in the Bangar tract. The Guru
presented the Chaudhri of the village with funds to construct a well and a
dharmsala for the reception of the travellers.
The Guru was accompanied by a Sikh, Ramdev, who was totally devoted to
his service. He drew water, brought firewood from the forest for the kitchen,
and performed all the services for the Guru. He always kept a cushion on his
head to lift the burdens and it was continually wet from water and as a
consequence his head festered. One day as he put his pitcher of water down,
his cushion and turban fell off when maggots were seen from a sore in his
head. It was brought to the notice of the Guru who sent for him. Being
pleased with his devotion to service, the Guru gave him a robe of honor,
named him Bhai Mihan and promised him that he would be a Mahant or a
superior of religious order. On the Guru's instruction he preached Sikh
religion. His generation is called today Mihan Shahi or Mihan Dasiay.
The Guru then proceeded to Tekpur and he stayed for a few days in the house
of a carpenter who conducted him as far as Kaithal. He reached Barna and
preached here against the use of tobacco.
GURU AT KURUKSHETRA
The Guru reached Kurukshetra on the occasion of solar eclipse. He was
received with great honor and distinction by all the holy men present there.
During his stay he preached the true Name. From there he went to Bani
Badarpur where he contributed money for the excavation of a well. Then he
crossed the Jamna river and hunted on the way. He shot an animal and hung it
to his saddle and reached Kara Manak where a saint called Maluk Das was
living. Having heard that the Guru hunted and killed the animals, he refused
to see him. It is said that when Maluk Das laid down food before his idol of
worship next day, he found it turned into meat. He felt that it was a miracle
wrought by the Guru. Then he wanted to see the Guru and bow before him,
but he thought that the Guru being the searcher of hearts, should sent for him.
The Guru knew what was going on in Maluk Das's mind, sent his Sikhs and a
palki (litter) to fetch him. He went to the Guru, received religious instruction
and initiation, and became one of his most devoted followers.
GURU IN BIHAR PROVINCE
He arrived at the village of Sasram where lived a very devout disciple
called Chacha Phagoo who had built a mansion and within it placed a superb
couch for the Guru. Every morning he used to perfume it and then would
close the doors declaring that he would not live in it until the Guru had come,
entered and hallowed it with his footsteps. Chacha Phagoo's desire was
fulfilled and he had the happiness to entertain the Guru in that mansion. He he
proceeded to Gaya. There the Brahmans met him in a body and explained the
virtues of pilgrimage of Gaya. They said if barley rolls were offered to
Brahmans at Gaya for the souls of ancestors, they would go to heaven even if
they were already in hell. So they pressed the Guru to give money to perform
such a ceremony for him. He refused to accept their argument rather exhorted
them to meditate on God and instructed them on divine knowledge. The Guru
then reached Patna and encamped at first in a garden outside the city. That
place is called Guru ka Bag. Bhai Jaita, a devout disciple, took the Guru to
his residence. The Master gave religious instructions to the people. One day
he told his mother, Mata Nanaki that many Sikhs were waiting for him in a
distant land, so he must go to them. He wanted the family to remain at Patna.
On their remonstrance the Guru told his wife, The prophecy of my father is
now about to be accomplished. A son shall be born to thee, who shall be
great and powerful, extend the faith, establish Sikh supremacy, root out the
wicked, and destroy the enemies of truth and true religion. You would suffer
great hardship in travelling, so be happy here. He offered words of
consolation to his mother and wife, thus, entrusting them to his brother-in-law
Kirpal Chand, bade farewell and proceeded to Munger, Bhagalpur and
Rajmahal.
GURU TO BENGAL
Guru Teg Bahadur brought about peace between Raja Shankar Dhwaj of
Assam and Raja Ram Singh. As a result the fighting forces of both Rajas
erected a monument of peace with their weapons lying down thereby
vindicating the Guru's exhortation that hatred divides and love unites; and all
disputes can be settled through mutual discussions and peaceful negotiations.
He arrived at Maldah where he stayed with a Sikh who was a confectioner.
From there he went to Murshidabad and next halt was at Dacca. There lived
a devout masand, Bulaki Das whose mother had prepared a beautiful couch
for the Guru. Knowing about her devotion, the Guru went to her residence.
She was overjoyed and fell on his feet. He blessed her for her devotion. The
Sikh inhabitants came in crowds to behold the Guru and to receive his
instructions and benedictions. He asked them to build a dharamsal
(Gurdwara) in their city where God's praises should be sung.
Raja Ram Singh went to the Guru and said, The inhabitants of Kamrup and
Assam became rebels against the rule of Delhi. The Emperor had recently
sent Mir Jumla to subdue them but after some success, he died before eaching
Dacca on his return journey. The Emperor has now ordered me to go and
subdue the Kamrup country. If I conquer that country, it will be an addition to
the Emperor's sovereignty; but if I am killed, the Emperor may annex my
whole state of Rajputana. O true King, I have come to seek protection of thy
holy feet.
The Guru replied, God's Name
is the medicine for all diseases,
so meditate continually on
Name. Guru Nanak will assist
you and you will conquer
Kamrup.
Raja Ram Singh and the Guru
left Dacca and reached Dhubri.
The Guru encamped there and
Raja Ram Singh set out for the
city of Rangmati on the right
bank of the Brahamputra. Soon
after thebattle between Raja Ram Singh's army and the army of the king of
Kamrup ensued. The decisive victory for the Raja's forces was not easy
because of difficult mountainous terrain, climate and rainy season.
In addition to the attack, the king of Kamrup also began to make incantations
and spells, and sent for all the women of his land who had magical skills, but
none succeeded. After that he went to worship at the temple of goddess
Kamakhsha. His mother- in-law saw in a vision, the goddess, who said, Guru
Nanak has taken birth in this age. On his throne is now seated Guru Tegh
Bahadur. Raja Ram Singh has become his disciple. The Guru is sovereign
and nobody has the strength to oppose him. Go and make obeisance to him
and ask for pardon otherwise your rule will perish.
The king proceeded to the camp of the Guru and after prostration he said that
he had come by the order of the goddess to pray for pardon and protection.
He begged the Guru not to allow him to fall under the power of the Muslims.
The Guru replied that Raja Ram Singh was a very religious person and he
should meet with him. He, however, told the king not to fear, his empire
would be permanent.
The Guru sent for Raja Ram Singh and both of them were received by the
king in a friendly manner. The Guru sat down placing the royal disputants on
either side and effected a reconciliation. He putting his dagger in the ground
declared, Let the territory on this side belong to the Emperor and the land on
the other side belong to the king of Kamrup. Let both monarchs forget the
enmity. Both sides agreed to the settlement and serious bloodshed on both
sides was avoided.
The Guru informed Raja Ram Singh that Guru Nanak had visited Dhubri and
rendered it holy by his footsteps. He further asked that each soldier should
bring five shieldfuls of earth to raise a tall mound in the memory of the
founder of Sikh religion. A pavilion was erected at the top of the mound. The
Guru spent a few more days there. Hearing his fame, the crowds came from
far and near to behold him and also to receive religious instructions. Raja
Ram of Assam, having heard Guru's praise, came to pay his homage. The
Raja had no offspring and was desirous of a son. He brought his Ranis
(queens) with him and after prostration beseeched the Guru, O true king,
bring this sinking vessel to the shore. The Guru took off his signet ring and
stamped its impression on the Raja's thigh and then said, The impression of
my seal shall be on thy son's forehead. By this know it is Guru Nanak who
hath mercifully granted thee offspring. While in Assam he also visited Cooch
Behar, Chander Bhanga, Kishen Ganj and Purnea.
Martrydom
In early 1675, the Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadar to seek
his assistance in their acute hour of need. These Hindus from Kashmir had
been given a deadline by Emperor Aurangzeb to convert to Islam or be killed.
Pandit Kripa Ram with his large delegation met Guru Tegh Bahadar at Chak
Nanki, Kahlur (now known as Anandpur Sahib). He explained their dilemma
to the Guru in the open Sangat at the place where today stands Gurdwara
Manji Sahib, in Anandpur Sahib.
"The Emperor had given us some time to decide to convert to Islam or to be
executed. The time for deciding has expired. Now, we have to convert to
Islam or die. What shall we do? Guru ji, we have no one else to turn to. We
don't have an army to protect us - We need your help. Please assist us", said
Kripa Ram.
Guru ji is said to have gone into deep thought after Pandit Kripa Ram's
request. At this point, it is said that Guru ji son, Gobind Rai walks into the
Sangat to see Guru ji deep in thought.
"Guru ji, I see the acutely sad faces of the Sangat and you are silent and in
deep thought. What is the problem?" asked Gobind Rai to his father. Gobind
is about 9 years old at this stage.
Guru ji slowly turn to his son and explain the situation as concisely as
possible.
"Baata (Son), this is sangat from Kashmir. They are Hindus who have been
friends of Sikhs since the time of Guru Nanak. They have a very serious
problem on their hands" said Guru ji.
Gobind Rai replied, "Pita ji, you are the Guru of the entire world ("Jagat
Guru"). You will know of a solution to all problems"
"Baata, Emperor Aurangzeb has given them an ultimatum – If they do not
become Muslims, he will kill them all", explained Guru ji.
Guru ji continued, "Some well-known Religion person ("Mahapurakh") will
have to make a sacrifice to stop this butchery. We have to find a supreme soul
who will die so as to awaken the sleeping consciousness of the people of
Hind".
"Pita ji, there is an easy answer to this problem. You are the most spiritually
aware person in whole of Hind. You can make that sacrifice", answered
Gobind Rai.
Guru ji was pleased to hear these words as it confirmed that his son had
reached a suitable age to become the next Guru, and that Guru ji's work on
Earth had been completed.
Guru ji addressed the Pandits, "Go and tell Aurangzeb that if he can convert
Guru Tegh Bahadar to Islam, they will all convert. Otherwise he should leave
them alone"
The Pandits were delighted that a solution was found and duly informed
Emperor Aurangzeb of the decision. Aurangzeb was delighted that by
converting one person, he would without any further delay have the
conversion of many 1000's to Islam. Accordingly he summoned his officers to
arrest Guru Tegh Bahadar.
Guru goes to Delhi
In the summer of 1675, the Guru, along with some of his companions were
finally brought to Delhi and asked to convert to Islam or else face the penalty
of death. Guru ji was also asked to perform a miracle. Guru Tegh Bahadur
averred that he would rather sacrifice his life than give up his faith and his
freedom or belief or perform a miracle. Thus, under Aurangzeb's orders,
Guru ji and his companions were tortured. The Guru was chained and
imprisoned in a cage and was tortured in the cruellest and the most inhuman
ways for five long days. In order to terrorise him further into submission, one
of his distinguished devotees (Bhai Mati Das) was sawn alive, another (Bhai
Dyal Das) was boiled in the cauldron and the third (Bhai Sati Das) was
roasted alive before the Guru.
Finally, the Guru himself was beheaded, under imperial warrant, in broad
daylight, in the middle of a public square, the most prominent public place in
India, called Chandni Chowk, of Delhi, on the charge that he was a stumbling
block preventing the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. The exact
location of the beheading is marked by Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Delhi. His
martyrdom was yet another challenge to the Sikh conscience. It was then
realized that there could be no understanding between an insensate power
imbrued with blood and a proud people wedded to a life of peace with
honour. The sacrifice roused the Hindus from their passive silence and gave
them the fortitude to understand the power that comes from self-respect and
sacrifice. Guru Tegh Bahadur thus earned the affectionate title of "Hind-di-
Chadar" or the Shield of India.
Gobind Rai became the tenth and final Guru in human form. Guru Gobind
Singh writes in the Dasam Granth
Guru Tegh Bahadur (1 April 1621 – 11 November 1675) became the 9th Guru of Sikhism on 20 March 1665, following in the footsteps of his grand- nephew, Guru Har Krishan. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi. |
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
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