He was born on 1st April, 1621 in Amritsar to the sixth Guru, Hargobind Ji and his wife Nanaki. He was born as Tyaga Mal and was the youngest of the five sons. He was brought up in a strict Sikh culture where he received training in horsemanship, archery, martial arts and some old classics.
Under the mentor-ship of his father, he became adept in using the sword, hence was named Tegh Bahadur (meaning Mighty of the sword). Later, he became the ninth Sikh Guru and on his return to Punjab, he settled down at Anandpur. His followers hailed him as the Sacha Badshah (True King).
During that time Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor had started destroying Hindu temples and forcing people to follow the Muslim faith. Guru Tegh Bahadur took very active part in the fight against such atrocities. Owing to his bravery, the Mughal officials such as Nur Muhammad Khan, Dilawar Khan and Wazir Khan got him arrested.
The great Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur was beheaded on the orders of the Mughal emperor in November, 1675 for refusing to convert to Islam. Guru Tegh Bahadur gave his life for the freedom of religion, ensuring that everyone was able to follow and practice their religion without any domination. Therefore, Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed for political reasons, with his fellow devotees Bhai Mati Dass, Bhai Sati Dass and Dayal Dass.
The Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, was built on the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded. Another Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, in Delhi, was constructed on the site of the Lakhi Shah Vanjaras home. He was a disciple of the Guru, who burnt his house to cremate the Gurus body.
Today this day is observed as Guru Tegh Bahadur Punya Divas. Processions are carried out and a large number of devotees gather for the procession to pay their obeisance to the Guru. Kirtan or religious songs are sung in the Gurudwaras by the devotees. The ethos of Guru Tegh Bahadur is a source of inspiration for the coming generations.
इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें