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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• He refused to: Convert to Islam Perform miracles

• 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.