The Martyrdom of
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
ordered Hindu temples to be
destroyed and that idol worship
was to be stopped. He had a
temple converted into a Mosque
and slaughtered a cow inside it. He
also had Hindus sacked from their
government jobs and employed
Muslims instead.
Aurangzeb also ordered
Gurdwaras to be destroyed, and he
expelled many missionaries from
the main cities. Despite some
resistance after many years of
persecution, people were being
forced to take up Islam.
Kashmiri pandits and Guru Tegh Bahadur
Aurangzeb decided if he could convert the revered Brahmin Pandits of Kashmir that
millions of followers would then easily be converted. Threatened with conversion or
death, the Pandits overcome by panic, requested Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s help.
Hearing the serious nature of the conversation, Guru Ji’s 9 year old son Gobind Rai Ji
told his father what the problem was.
The Guru told his son of the Pandits dilemma and said that it would take a holy man
literally laying down his life to intercede.
Gobind Rai responded
“Who would be better
than you to defend the
poor Brahmins”.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
decided to stand up for
the right of freedom of
worship and told the
delegation to tell
Aurangzeb that if he
could convert Guru Tegh
Bahadur they would
gladly convert.
Gobind becomes 10th Sikh Guru
The ceremony that had taken place seven times before was repeated: The Guru place
five coins and a coconut before his son as a symbol of the Guru ship passing from him
to his son; Gobind Rai was now the Guru of the Sikhs at the age of 9 years.
Guru Tegh Bahadur then left Anandpur for Delhi with 3 other Sikhs who knew as well the
danger they were to face, Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayal Das.
ਤਿਲਕ ਜੰ ਵੂ ਰਾਖਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਿਾ ਕਾ ॥ ਕੀਨੋ ਬਡੋ ਕਲੂ ਮਤਿ ਸਾਕਾ ॥
He protected the Tilak and Janeoo which marked a great event in the Iron age.
ਸਾਧਨ ਿੇਤਿ ਇਿੀ ਤਜਤਨ ਕਰੀ ॥ ਸੀਸੁ ਦੀਆ ਪ੍ਰ ਸੀ ਨ ਉਚਰੀ ॥੧੩॥
For the sake of the innocent, he laid down his head without expressing a sign (of pain).13.
ਧਰਮ ਿੇਤਿ ਸਾਕਾ ਤਜਤਨ ਕੀਆ ॥ ਸੀਸੁ ਦੀਆ ਪ੍ਰ ਤਸਰਰੁ ਨ ਦੀਆ ॥
For the sake of Dharma (righteousness), he sacrificed himself. He laid down his head but not his
faith.
ਨਾਟਕ ਚੇਟਕ ਕੀਏ ਕੁਕਾਜਾ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਲੋ ਗਨ ਕਿ ਆਵਿ ਲਾਜਾ ॥੧੪॥
They asked him for the performance of miracles, but he refused, deeming them unworthy. 14.
ਦੋਿਰਾ ॥ DOHRA
ਠੀਕਤਰ ਫੋਤਰ ਤਦਲੀਤਸ ਤਸਤਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪ੍ੁਤਰ ਕੀਯਾ ਪ੍ਯਾਨ ॥
Defying the king of Delhi (Aurangzeb) he broke the potsherd of his body and left to be with God.
ਿੇਗ ਬਿਾਦਰ ਸੀ ਤਕਰਆ ਕਰੀ ਨ ਤਕਨਿੂੰ ਆਨ ॥੧੫॥
None could perform such an unmatched great act as that of (Guru) Tegh Bahadur.15.
ਿੇਗ ਬਿਾਦਰ ਕੇ ਚਲਿ ਭਯੋ ਜਗਿ ਕੋ ਸੋਕ ॥
The whole world mourned on the departure of (Guru) Tegh Bahadur.
ਿੈ ਿੈ ਿੈ ਸਭ ਜਗ ਭਯੋ ਜੈ ਜੈ ਜੈ ਸੁਰ ਲੋ ਤਕ ॥੧੬॥
The world wept but the heavens resounded in joyous celebration.16.
(Bachitar Naatak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
Journey to Martyrdom
It seems orders for his arrest had been issued by emperor Aurangzeb as soon as he
received reports of his declared intention, because he was arrested four days later.
Along with Guru Ji,
Bhai Mati Das,
Bhai Sati Das and
Bhai Dyala Ji were
also arrested. They
were kept in
custody for four
months.
The pitiless captors
imposed much
atrocity on the
Guru.
Guru Ji was then
cast into an iron
cage and taken to
Delhi, where they
arrived on 4th
November 1675.
The Shaheedi of Guru Ji’s Companions
Bhai Mati Das Ji, was tied between two pillars and
his body split in two by being sawn alive.
Bhai Dyala Ji
was boiled
alive in a
cauldron of
boiling water
Bhai Sati Das Ji was wrapped in cotton wool and
burnt alive.
The Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Guru ji head was chopped off publicly at
Chandni Chowk Delhi on November 11,
1675 for being protector of human rights.
Severed head of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
was presented respectfully to Guru
Gobind Singh by Bhai Jaita at Sri
Anandpur Sahib, Punjab.
Gurdwara Sis Ganj has been erected
inside the town of Anandpur Sahib where
the severed and revered head of the
Guru was cremated.
The headless body was taken away by
Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara who cremated it
respectfully at his place in Delhi on
November 12, 1675. Gurdwara Rakab
Ganj was erected at this location to
commemorate the incidence.