GURU TEGHBAHADUR JI
The Moghul dynasty, which had ruled India for nearly 200 years had stepped up their mission to turn India into a solely Moghul state. Non Moghul citizens were being persecuted and denied many basic rights, like openly practising their religion, riding a horse or being in positions of authority. The order was given to the ruling Moghul army to rid India of Hindus, destroy their Mandirs and places of worship and replace them with Mosques. Wherever a Hindu is found, they should be killed, unless they are prepared to accept Islam. Delhi was targeted! Many thousands were being slaughtered in the streets of Delhi. Events which triggered 100 Kashmiri pandits, the highest pandits in India, who controlled the Hindu faith to beg at the feet of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for help.
They arrived at Sri Anandpur Sahib to meet the king of kings and cried uncontrollably. Pandit Kirpa Raam, who was the leader of the pandits said, "Our whole history is at stake. Thousands and thousands of years of existence are going up in flames."
The Moghuls were wiping them out without a trace, just like they had expertly done across North Africa and Eastern Asia during the crusades.
The only saviour was Guru sahib Ji. After consulting with his son Gobind Rai, Guru sahib set off to Delhi to discuss this issue with Aurangzeb.
Of course, Guru Sahib and the gursikhs knew he would not return to Anandpur Sahib. Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji and Bhai Dyaal Dass Ji all accompanied Guru Ji. On seeing the Guru arrive in Delhi, he was instantly arrested and imprisoned. He was given the same ultimatum as the others. "Accept Islam or accept death."
Guru sahib responded with a challenge. "If you can convert me, you may continue on your murderous rampage. if you can't, leave these people alone." Aurangzeb liked these kinds of challenges and accepted.
The Moghuls tried for many days to convert Guru sahib. He was made to witness the torture and murder of his Sikhs, he was given the most terrorizing torture known to man but he never displayed any pain or discomfort. He instead remained immersed in Naam and bani. Eventually, the Moghuls gave up and ordered his execution at Chandni Chownk, near the Red Fort in what is now known as old Delhi.
When Guru Ji's head was brought back to Gobind Rai (Guru Gobind Singh Ji), they asked, "How many Sikhs were there?"
Bhai Jetha replied, "There were many but I couldn't recognise them, they all looked the same."
Gobind Rai said, "in time to come, I will create such an army (khalsa), with such an image, which won't be able to hide from anyone. Both male & female will wear uche dumale (high turbans) and stand out amongst thousands." Guru sahib Ji laid down his life as a teaching for all so have we honoured their martyrdom and the words of our 10th Master today, by keeping their image and living the saint/soldier lifestyle ordained by them?
History states, that Guru Tegh Bahadur's Shaheedi ignited a new spirit amongst the Hindus and they began to come together and stand up against the enemy. They were no longer this dysfunctional army, which were conquered by only 12000 of Babars Pathan soldiers in the 1400's.
So as history states, Guru Tegh Bahadur gave his life for the religious freedom of the Hindus so they could be free to practice their faith without oppression.
Without Guru's Shaheedi, the Hindu faith and India would not exist today. Although many people choose to ignore this, it is nice to see that when you arrive in Delhi, the sign saying 'Welcome to Delhi,' is followed by a specially made memorial in memory of the Guru, whose sacrifice saved a nation and a whole religion.
Today Guru Sahib ji is known as Hindh di chaddher (the protective blanket of the Hindu faith)!
Guru Gobind Singh Ji Says, "He protected the forehead mark and sacred thread of the Hindus, which marked a great event in this dark age. He laid down his head without even a sigh."
Dhan Guru Teghbahadur Sahib Ji
Vaheguroo!
