- On April 11, the Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, was observed.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur was born in Amritsar, Punjab, on April 1, 1621.
- He was the Sikhs’ ninth Guru and the son of Guru Hargobind, the Sikhs’ sixth Guru, and Mata Nanaki.
- Tyag Mal, which means “master of renunciation,” was his natal name.
- He spent his childhood in Amritsar, where he was educated in religious subjects, martial skills, and horseback riding.
- He was also taught music and poetry, and he became a good poet and musician as a result.
His views and teachings
- The teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur emphasised the necessity of meditation, self-discipline, and living a good and ethical life.
- He was a firm believer in the concept of one God and the unification of all religions.
- From 1665 until 1675, he served as Guru. The Guru Granth Sahib contains a total of 155 of his hymns.
- He emphasised the necessity of helping others and treating everyone with decency and respect, regardless of religion or social standing.
- He also believed in unselfish service and pushed his followers to assist those in need.
Importance in Indian History
- Guru Tegh Bahadur was a pivotal figure in Sikh history, defending Hindu religious freedom against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
- Aurangzeb was well-known for his intolerance of non-Muslims, and he levied a fee on Hindu pilgrims visiting Varanasi.
- When a group of Kashmiri Pandits sought Guru Tegh Bahadur for assistance, he vowed to fight for their freedom to freely practise their religion.
- Despite torture and persecution, he refused to convert to Islam and was eventually executed by Aurangzeb in 1675.
- His martyrdom is remembered as a key event in Indian history, and Sikhs all over the world see him as a hero and martyr.
His legacies
- His legacy inspires Sikhs and people of all faiths and backgrounds.
- His teachings and ideas continue to be an important element of Sikhism today, and are represented in the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.
- He is regarded as a saint, scholar, and warrior who gave his life to preserve others’ rights.
- Many Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) are dedicated to him all throughout the world, including the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, where he was slain.
- Every year on December 19, Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day is marked to remember his martyrdom.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Guru-Tegh-Bahadur