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.

The Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Kashmiri pandits and Guru Tegh BahadurAurangzeb 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 GuruThe 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.

ਤਿ�ਲਕ ਜੰ�ਵੂ ਰਾ�ਖਾ� ਪ੍ਰ�ਭ �� ਕ� ॥ ਕ�ਨੋ� ਬਡੋ� ਕਲ ਮਤਿ� ਸਾ�ਕ� ॥ He protected the Tilak and Janeoo which marked a great event in the Iron age.

ਸਾ�ਧਨੋ ��ਤਿ� ਇ�� ਤਿਜੰਤਿਨੋ ਕਰਾ� ॥ ਸਾ�ਸਾ� ਦੀ�ਆ ਪ੍ਰਰਾ ਸਾ� ਨੋ ਉਚਰਾ� ॥੧੩॥ For the sake of the innocent, he laid down his head without expressing a sign (of pain).13.

ਧਰਾਮ ��ਤਿ� ਸਾ�ਕ� ਤਿਜੰਤਿਨੋ ਕ�ਆ ॥ ਸਾ�ਸਾ� ਦੀ�ਆ ਪ੍ਰਰਾ ਤਿਸਾਰਾਰਾ� ਨੋ ਦੀ�ਆ ॥ For the sake of Dharma (righteousness), he sacrificed himself. He laid down his head but not his faith.

ਨੋ�ਟਕ ਚ�ਟਕ ਕ�ਏ ਕ�ਕ�ਜੰ� ॥ ਪ੍ਰ�ਭ ਲ�ਗਨੋ ਕ� ਆਵੂ� ਲ�ਜੰ� ॥੧੪॥ They asked him for the performance of miracles, but he refused, deeming them unworthy. 14.

ਦੀ��ਰਾ� ॥ DOHRA

ਠੀ�ਕਤਿਰਾ ਫੋ�ਤਿਰਾ ਤਿਦੀਲ�ਤਿਸਾ ਤਿਸਾਤਿਰਾ ਪ੍ਰ�ਭ ਪ੍ਰ�ਤਿਰਾ ਕ�ਯਾ� ਪ੍ਰਯਾ�ਨੋ ॥ Defying the king of Delhi (Aurangzeb) he broke the potsherd of his body and left to be with God.

��ਗ ਬ��ਦੀਰਾ ਸਾ� ਤਿ+ਆ ਕਰਾ� ਨੋ ਤਿਕਨੋ�� ਆਨੋ ॥੧੫॥ None could perform such an unmatched great act as that of (Guru) Tegh Bahadur.15.

��ਗ ਬ��ਦੀਰਾ ਕ� ਚਲ� ਭਯਾ� ਜੰਗ� ਕ� ਸਾ�ਕ ॥ The whole world mourned on the departure of (Guru) Tegh Bahadur.

�- �- �- ਸਾਭ ਜੰਗ ਭਯਾ� ਜੰ- ਜੰ- ਜੰ- ਸਾ�ਰਾ ਲ�ਤਿਕ ॥੧੬॥ The world wept but the heavens resounded in joyous celebration.16.

(Bachitar Naatak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji)

Journey to MartyrdomIt 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 Dyala Ji was boiled alive in a cauldron of boiling water

Bhai Mati Das Ji, was tied between two pillars and his body split in two by being sawn alive.

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.