The Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, was celebrated on April 11.
Who was Guru Tegh Bahadur?
- Guru Tegh Bahadur was born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar, Punjab.
- He was the ninth Guru of the Sikhs and the son of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, and Mata Nanaki.
- His birth name was Tyag Mal, which means “master of renunciation.”
- He spent his early years in Amritsar and was trained in religious studies, martial arts, and horse riding.
- He was also trained in music and poetry, and he became a skilled poet and musician.
His teachings and beliefs
- Guru Tegh Bahadur’s teachings were based on the importance of meditation, self-discipline, and living a moral and ethical life.
- He believed in the idea of one God and the unity of all religions.
- His term as Guru ran from 1665 to 1675. One hundred and fifteen of his hymns are in Guru Granth Sahib.
- He emphasized the importance of serving others and treating everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their religion or social status.
- He also believed in the principle of selfless service and encouraged his followers to help those in need.
Significance in Indian History
- Guru Tegh Bahadur played a crucial role in Sikh history by defending the religious freedom of Hindus against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
- Aurangzeb was known for his intolerance towards non-Muslims and had imposed a tax on Hindu pilgrims visiting the holy city of Varanasi.
- When a group of Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur for help, he decided to defend their right to practice their religion freely.
- He refused to convert to Islam despite facing torture and persecution, and was eventually executed by Aurangzeb in 1675.
- His martyrdom is remembered as a significant event in Indian history, and he is considered a hero and a martyr by Sikhs around the world.
His legacy
- His legacy continues to inspire Sikhs and people of all religions and backgrounds.
- His teachings and beliefs are an essential part of Sikhism today and are embodied in the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.
- He is remembered as a saint, scholar, and warrior who sacrificed his life to defend the rights of others.
- Many Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) around the world are dedicated to him, including the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, where he was martyred.
- His martyrdom is commemorated each year on the occasion of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day, which is observed on December 19.
Try this PYQ:
Q.Consider the following Bhakti Saints:
- Dadu Dayal
- Guru Nanak
- Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Post your answers here.
