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MARTYRDOM

GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI

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INTRODUCTION

Causes / Why was Guru martyred?

How was Guru martyred ?

Impact /Significance

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CAUSES

Enmity between the Mughals and the Sikhs
Fanaticism of Aurangzeb
Impact of Naqshbandis on Aurangzeb
Spread of Sikhism
Enmity of ram Rai
Call of the Kashmiri Pandits

F I E S E C

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�1 ENMITY BETWEEN THE MUGHALS AND THE SIKHS �

The relation between the Sikhs and the Mughals were cordial till 1605A.D ( Akbar)
In 1606 new emperor Jahangir was a fanatic, he martyred Guru Arjan Dev ji .
Guru Hargobind decided to take up arms.
Jahangir later imprisoned guru Hargobind Ji in Gwalior fort .
Again in 1628 A.D Shah Jahan became the next Mughal ruler.
Guru Hargobind and Shah Jahan fought numerous battles
During the reign of Aurangzeb the enmity between the sikhs and the mughals intensified.
This growing bitterness became the most potent cause of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom.

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�2 FANATICISM OF AURANGZEB�

In 1658 Aurangzeb became the new Mughal Emperor.

He was staunch Sunni Muslim, who wanted to see Islam flourish in every nook and corner of India.

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2 FANATICISM OF AURANGZEB CONTD…

He got many famous temples demolished.
Restrictions were imposed on Hindu festivals and ceremonies.
During his reign people were forced to embrace Islam at the point of Sword. Those who refused were either put to death or Imprisoned.
Aurangzeb also ordered all the Gurudwaras to be demolished and Masands collecting money also to be exiled
Confrontation with such a fanatic ruler was inevitable for the Sikhs.

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�3 IMPACT OF NAQSHBANDIS ON AURANGZEB�

A sect of Fanatic Muslim had a profound influence on the Mughal Emperor.

Moreover the growing popularity of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, rising inclination of the Muslim towards Sikhism were intolerable for this sect.

Since they wanted Islam to be the religion of the land, hence started instigating Aurangzeb to take stern action against the Sikhs.

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�4 SPREAD OF SIKHISM �

Guru Tegh Bahadur had undertaken numerous travels in states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Assam etc. . Impressed by the personality of the guru , thousands embraced sikh religion.

It was all beyond Aurangzeb's power of tolerance to see the rapidly growing power of Sikhism.

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�5 ENMITY OF RAM RAI �

Ram Rai was the elder brother of Guru Har Krishan Ji and considered himself to be rightful claimant to the Gurgaddi.
But when Guru Har Krishan Ji was given the Gurgaddi, he couldn’t tolerate it.
He started poisoning the ears of Aurangzeb , who himself wanted to check the growing popularity of the Sikhism.

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6 CALL OF THE KASHMIRI PANDITS

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CALL OF THE KASHMIRI PANDITS

In early 1675, the Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur to seek his assistance in their acute hour of need.

These Hindus from Kashmir had been given a deadline by Emperor Aurangzeb to convert to Islam or be killed.

Pandit Kripa Ram with his large delegation met Guru Tegh Bahadur at Chakk Nanaki, Kahlur (now known as Anandpur Sahib). He explained their dilemma to the Guru in the open Sangat at the place where today stands Gurudwara Manji Sahib, in Anandpur sahib

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CALL OF THE KASHMIRI PANDITS CONTD…

Guru ji is said to have gone into deep thought after Pandit Kripa Ram's request. At this point, it is said that Guru ji son, Gobind Rai walks into the Sangat to see Guru ji deep in thought.

"Guru ji, I see the acutely sad faces of the Sangat and you are silent and in deep thought. What is the problem?" asked Gobind Rai to his father. Gobind is about 9 years old at this stage.

Guru ji slowly turn to his son and explain the situation as concisely as possible.

"Baata (Son), this is sangat from Kashmir. They are Hindus who have been friends of Sikhs since the time of Guru Nanak. They have a very serious problem on their hands" said Guru ji.

Gobind Rai replied, "Pita ji, you are the Guru of the entire world ("Jagat Guru"). You will know of a solution to all problems"

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CALL OF THE KASHMIRI PANDITS CONTD…..

"Baata, Emperor Aurangzeb has given them an ultimatum – If they do not become Muslims, he will kill them all", explained Guru ji.

Guru ji continued, "Some well-known Religion person ("Mahapurakh") will have to make a sacrifice to stop this butchery. We have to find a supreme soul who will die so as to awaken the sleeping consciousness of the people of Hind".

"Pita ji, there is an easy answer to this problem. You are the most spiritually aware person in whole of Hind. You can make that sacrifice", answered Gobind Rai.

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CALL OF THE KASHMIRI PANDITS CONTD….

Guru ji was pleased to hear these words as it confirmed that his son had reached a suitable age to become the next Guru, and that Guru Ji's work on Earth had been completed.

Guru ji addressed the Pandits, "Go and tell Aurangzeb that if he can convert Guru Tegh Bahadur to Islam, they will all convert. Otherwise he should leave them alone"

The Pandits were delighted that a solution was found and duly informed Emperor Aurangzeb of the decision. Aurangzeb was delighted that by converting one person, he would without any further delay have the conversion of many 1000's to Islam. Accordingly he summoned his officers to arrest Guru Tegh Bahadur.

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WHY WAS HE MARTYRED

He laid supreme sacrifice to protect the Kashmiri Pandits.

He wanted people to be given the right to profess any religion which was denied by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Thousands were forcibly converted ,refusal was met with death sentence.

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GURU TEGH BAHADUR ADDRESSING THE SANGAT

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HOW GURU WAS MARTYRED

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji along with his three companions Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das , Bhai Dyala Ji proceeded from Chakk Nanaki ( Sri Anandpur sahib) to Delhi on July 11, 1675A.D
Next day on the orders of Aurangzeb , guru and his companions were taken in a prison in Sirhind for four months.
Later when Guru refused to accept Islam, Guru along with his companions were brought to Delhi on 6^th November, 1675 A.D
In order to demoralise Guru , his three companions were brutally murdered in front of him .
Then Guru was asked to show a miracle , on his refusal to do so ,on 11^th November, 1675 he was beheaded in Chandni Chowk in Delhi. It seemed to be the darkest day in the annals of the mughal rule in India

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HOW GURU WAS MARTYRED CONTD…..

Guru Gobind Singh ji writes in Bachitra Natak , “ At the departure of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji the entire world was plunged into grief, there was a cry of horror in this world but shrieks of victory and welcome in the next world “
On that fateful night a devotee Bhai Lakhi Shah picked up the body of Guru Sahib and with the help of his sons brought it to his home in a cart covered with cotton bales. In order to cremate the Body he set his own house to fire. Gurudwara Rakab Ganj stand there.
Bhai Jaita Ji who belonged to a low caste Rangreta brought the head of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Chakk Nanaki
Guru Gobind Singh warmly hugged Jaita and called him his own son Rangreta Guru Ka beta .On 16^th November,1675 A.D the severed head od the Guru was cremated with full honors at Sri Anandpur sahib . Gurudwara Sis Ganj has been built here.

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HOW GURU WAS MARTYRED CONTD……

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