Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur

Source:  PMI

Subject: History

Context: President of India attended the 350th anniversary commemoration of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur at the Red Fort, New Delhi.

About Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur:

Who he was?

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621–1675) was the ninth Guru of Sikhism, known for his fearlessness, spiritual depth, and ultimate sacrifice to defend the freedom of conscience.

• Born as Tyag Mal in Amritsar, he was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Guru.

Early Life:

• Born on 1 April 1621 at Amritsar; trained in martial skills, scriptures, archery, horsemanship, and classical texts like the Vedas/Upanishads.
• Displayed exceptional bravery in the Battle of Kartarpur (1634); earned the title “Tegh Bahadur” (Brave of the Sword).
• Married Mata Gujri (1632); lived at Bakala for over 20 years, meditating in seclusion.

Installation as the Ninth Guru:

• Before his death, Guru Har Krishan uttered “Baba Bakale”, pointing to his successor in Bakala.
• Over 22 claimants tried to occupy the guruship until Makhan Shah Labana identified Tegh Bahadur as the true Guru by testing his divine knowledge of a secret offering vow.
• In August 1664, a Sikh congregation led by Diwan Dargha Mal formally installed him as the ninth Guru.

Major Works & Contributions:

• Extensive Preaching Journeys:

• • Travelled across Punjab, UP, Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Dhaka, spreading Guru Nanak’s message.
  • Established centres of Sikh teaching; dug wells, started langars, and supported poor communities.

• Founding of Anandpur Sahib:

• • Purchased land from Rani Champa of Bilaspur; founded Chakk Nanaki (later Anandpur Sahib) in 1665–72, which became a major Sikh centre.

• Social-Reformist Role:

• • Condemned casteism, fanaticism, ritualism, and tyranny.
  • Strengthened Sikh identity through a philosophy rooted in fearlessness (nirbhau) and freedom from enmity (nirvair).

• Spiritual & Literary Contributions:

• • Composed 59 Shabads and 57 Shaloks across 15 Raagas.
  • His hymns form an integral part of Guru Granth Sahib, added by Guru Gobind Singh.

Conflict with Aurangzeb & Execution:

• Under Aurangzeb’s rule, forcible conversions and religious persecutions increased.
• Kashmiri Pandits, led by Pandit Kirpa Ram, sought Guru Tegh Bahadur’s protection.
• Guru decided to sacrifice himself to uphold religious freedom—a stand unique in world history.

• Arrest & Torture:

• • Arrested at Ropar; imprisoned at Sirhind and later Delhi.
  • His companions—Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Dayala—were brutally executed in his presence.

• Martyrdom (11 November 1675):

• • He refused to:
    • Convert to Islam
    • Perform miracles
  • Was publicly beheaded at Chandni Chowk (now Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib).
  • His body was cremated secretly at the site of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.