On Nov. 26 Sikhs around the world, including about 300,000 in Canada, will commemorate the 320th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675) with great reverence, He was a grandson of the fifth Guru, Arjan Dev Ji who was the first Sikh prophet to bear calmly, inhuman torture leading to his martyrdom for his right to faith and expression in 1606 at Lahore Jahangir, the then Mughal emperor of India could not tolerate Guru Arjun’s popularity among Hindus and many Muslims, especially the new awakening and rising awareness of the Guru’s followers about their rights and freedoms. By that time the Sikh Sangats or congregations had been established far and ‘wide in northern India, even up to Kabul in Afghanistan, Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, Amritsar and the Adi Bir on the first Sikh holy book given by Guru Arjan had become sources of inspiration for the Guru’s followers, Jahangir’s displeasure, which was also fomented by a few personal and religious opponents of the Guru, as expressed in his journal Tuzaq e Jeharigiri, let to the arrest, severe torture and execution of Guru Arjan whose Bani or Word says None is foe or stranger to me, With one and all I feel friendly.
Guru Arjan’s son and successor Guru Hargobind repulsed four attacks by the Mughal forces against him. He was also arrested and imprisoned by Jahangir in Gwalior fort but he was compelled by the Guru’s immense popularity to release him. The fort held 52 princes from India as captives of Jahangir. The Guru refused to leave the prison unless the emperor freed that princess on. It was done , This is an example of standing for the right to freedom and justice of others. Now people began to call Guru Hargobind “Bandichhore’ or the rescuer of prisoners,
Guru Tegh Bahadur was a son of Guru Hargobind, Bandichhore, After taking up Guru ship, Tegh Bahadur travelled and spread his message over eastern India up to Assam. His preaching included fears none; frighten none.
Under the orders of the then emperor Aurangzeb, Hindus were given the choice of either conversion to Islam or execution, this denial of right to conscience and life tormented Pandits of Kashmir who approached Guru Tegh Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib (Punjab) for succor. Assuring them of protection, the Guru told them to inform the ruler that if the converts Guru Tegh Bahadur to Islam, the Hindus would follow suit. On hearing this, the emperor ordered Guru’s arrest. The Guru and his companions Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala were incarcerated in Delhi. They refused to give up their right to faith and be converted against their conscience. As a result, Bhai Mati Das was sawn in twain from head to feet; Bhai Dyala was boiled to death in water and Bhai Sati Das was burnt alive. These gruesome tortures could not frighten the Guru into submission. Nor did he agree to show some miracle to prove his prophet hood. Guru Tegh Bahadur’s head was cut off with a sword publicly in Chandni Chowk Delhi, in November ‘16754At that place now stands Gurdwara Sis Ganj as a symbol of the Guru’ sacrifice of his head for the protection of human rights of the oppressed. His martyrdom merits a very significant place in the history of the defenders of justice voluntarily sacrificing life to uphold the rights of people of a different faith his was a real miracle the Guru performed. Guru Tegh Bahadur’s selfless sacrifice shook the foundations of the Mughal Empire which began to crumble after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 24, 1995
