Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day 2023: Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day is commemorated annually on November 24th. He holds the esteemed position of being the ninth guru in the lineage of Sikh saints and is also recognized as Hind ki Chadar or the Shield of India.
He sacrificed his life advocating for the rights of a community that did not share his religious beliefs. In 1675, he faced beheading under the orders of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. This act of martyrdom occurred in Delhi, specifically at Chandni Chowk.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day 2023
Aurangzeb sought to enforce the conversion of the Hindu population in India to Islam, threatening execution for those who resisted. Facing this decree, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur, seeking his assistance in preventing the forced conversions.
In response, Guru Tegh Bahadur asserted that if the emperor could successfully convert him to Islam, others might follow suit. Subsequently, he was arrested and presented before the emperor. Despite enduring four months of imprisonment and the execution of three of his followers in his presence, Guru Tegh Bahadur remained steadfast in his refusal to embrace Islam. The emperor, unsatisfied, ordered his beheading.
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s execution unfolded in front of the public at Chandni Chowk, a market square near the Red Fort in Delhi, on November 11, 1675. This act of martyrdom underscored his unwavering commitment to religious freedom and resistance against forced conversions. Presently, the location where the Guru met his martyrdom is commemorated by the Gurudwara Sis Ganj.
Timeline
Guru Tegh Bahadur, born on April 1, 1621, ascended to the position of guru on April 16, 1664. His life came to a tragic end on November 11, 1675, when he was executed on the orders of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. The motive behind his execution was his resistance against the forced conversion of non-Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits to Islam. The Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib now stand as solemn markers at the locations where he was martyred. The beheading took place in Chandni Chowk, following the decree of the Mughal emperor.
Paying Tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur
Annually on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day, Sikh places of worship resonate with the chanting of Bachittar Natak, a composition detailing his life recorded by his son, Guru Gobind Singh. Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk and Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi stand as tributes at the sites of his execution and cremation.
Another Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib in Punjab marks where his head was brought from Delhi and cremated. Guru Tegh Bahadur’s execution bolstered the Khalsa identity, a legacy continued by his 9-year-old son. In honor of his enduring impact, hospitals, schools, universities, and institutes globally bear his name.
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Enduring Impact
Guru Tegh Bahadur significantly contributed to the holy text of the Granth Sahib with over 700 compositions, encompassing hymns and couplets such as the Saloks at the end. His writings cover a broad spectrum of topics, from discussions on God to reflections on the human body, death, and deliverance, all integral to Sikhism’s ”bani.”
Throughout his lifetime, Guru Tegh Bahadur undertook extensive journeys across various regions of India, where he not only constructed Sikh temples in Manali at the request of Gobind Sahali but also visited places that eventually became revered Sikh temple sites. His travels extended to Assam, Bihar, Bengal, Dhaka, and Kashmir. Additionally, he founded Anandpur Sahib, a city nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas.
Guru Tegh Bahadur actively opposed religious persecution targeting both Sikhs and non-Sikhs. His life and teachings serve as an enduring inspiration for the Sikh community, encouraging them to uphold his ideals of religious harmony.
Observances
On the day commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, Sikh places of worship echo with recitations of the Bachittar Natak, a composition by his son, Guru Gobind Singh.
