Guru Teg Bahadur Balidan: The 9th Sikh Guru who gave his life to protect Hindu Faith.

Martyrdom Day of 9th Sikh Sri Guru Teg Bahadur reminds us of the Islamic brutality of Aurangzeb on Hindus and Sikhs.  

In the 16th century, Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed himself to protect Hinduism. November 28th marks the official holiday to honour Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Read more to understand his sacrifice.

Bharti Singh | HENB | New Delhi | Nov 28, 2022:: Guru Teg Bahadur was the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, who even after 400 years is known as the ‘Hind di Chadar’ (Protector of Hind). Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed himself to protect Hinduism and Kashmiri Pandits. In 1675, the barbaric Mughal ruler Aurangzeb beheaded him most brutally in front of everyone for not accepting Islam.

Balidan (Shaheedi) Diwas is observed on November 24th every year and processions are also carried out on 24th November. However, this year the government of Uttar Pradesh has declared a public holiday on November 28, under which all schools and government offices will remain closed.

Guru Teg Bahadur’s Early life 

Guru Tegh Bahadur was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru of the Sikh order. Guru Teg Bahadur’s childhood name was Tyagmal. At the age of just 14, he showed bravery in the war with the Mughals with his father. Impressed by this bravery, his father named him Teg Bahadur (richer of the sword) from Tyagmal. The gruesome bloodshed on the battlefield had a deep impact on Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s recluse mind and his mind turned towards spirituality.

Guru Tegh Bahadur was brought up in the Sikh culture and trained in archery and horsemanship. He was also taught the old classics such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Puranas. Tegh Bahadur was married on 3 February 1632 to Mata Gujri.

Islamic Brutality to instill fear in Gurus’s mind 

A congregation of Hindu Pandits from Kashmir requested help against Aurangzeb’s oppressive policies, to which Guru Tegh Bahadur decided to protect their rights. Tegh Bahadur left from his base at Makhowal to confront the persecution of Kashmiri Brahmins by Mughal officials but was arrested at Ropar and put to jail in Sirhind. Four months later, in November 1675, he was transferred to Delhi and asked to perform a miracle to prove his nearness to God or convert to Islam. The Guru declined and three of his colleagues, who had been arrested with him, were tortured to death in front of him.

To instill fear in Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s mind, Bhai Matidas Ji Guru Teg Bahadur’s brother was killed with a saw in front of him. After Matidas, another brother Bhai Dayala was thrown into the boiling oil and then Bhai Sati Das was burnt alive.

To convert Guguru Teg Bahadur into a Muslim, fear of death was instilled into him ranging from greed to killing his brothers in front of his eyes, but Guguru Teg Bahadur did not accept Aurangzeb’s offer for converting into Islam.

Aurangzeb estimated, if Guru Teg Bhadur was converted anyway, the lakhs followers of the Guru would accept Islam en mass.

Beheading the Guru in broad day light at Delhi’s Chandni Chowk

On Nov 24, 1675, Aurangzeb brought Guru Tegh Bahadur to Chandni Chowk and beheaded the Sikh Guru with a sword in Chandni Chowk, a market square close to the Red Fort. Aurangzeb declared that no one would perform the last rites of Guru Tegh Bahadur or will face death themselves.

This place in Chandni Chowk was commemorated by establishing Delhi’s famous Gurudwara Shish Ganj Sahib.

The head of Guru Teg Bahadur was taken to Anandpur and buried there with highest respect in Anandpur Sahib after his martyrdom in November 1675. The body of Guru was put on cremation in Delhi, where the Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib is situated today.

…

Read this news in Hindi: हिंदुओं की रक्षा के लिए कुर्बान हो गए थे सिखों के 9वें गुरु, मुगल शासक औरंगजेब ने कटा लिया था सिर

__Inputs from Zee News and Dainik Jagran.