Dhan Guru Tegh Bahaadar Saaheb

Theekar Phor Dilees Sir Prabh Pur Keeyaa Pyaan |
Tegh Bahaadar see Kriya Karee naa Kinhoo Aan |

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji , Tusee Hind Dee chaadar Jee

Tusee MaaNN ho Vatnaa daa, Meri Quom dey Aadar jee

Guru Ji whose original name was Tyag Mal (Master of Detachment) spent his childhood at Amritsar. In his early years he learnt Gurmukhi, Hindi, Sanskrit. He studied indian religious philosophy from Bhai Gurdas Ji and archery and horsemanship from Baba Budha Ji, while his father Guru Hargobind Ji, Master of Miri and Piri taught him swordsmanship. At the age of 13, Guru Sahib, as a brave young warrior, fought alongside his father in the Battle of Kartarpur. When the victorious Sikhs returned home they praised their latest hero and Tyag Mal Ji was renamed Tegh Bahadur Ji (True Master of the Sword).

He was married to Mata Gujri Ji at Kartarpur in 1632. When his father nominated his grandson Har Rai Ji as his successor in 1644, Tegh Bahadur Ji moved with his wife to the village of Bakala.

For the next 20 years the Master of Detachment spent most of his time in an underground room absorbed in meditation.

Guru Ji also went on missionary tours in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal.

Before Guru Har Krishan Ji passed to God’s court, he indicated that his successor would be found in Bakala. Meanwhile, a wealthy Sikh trader, called Makhan Shah, whose ship was in jeopardy did ardaas to Sachey Paatshah to save his ship from a thunderstrom.   Makhan Shah while in Ardaas had committed to pay 500 Gold Coins to Sachey Paatshah when the storm suddenly stopped. Having returned to safety, Makhan Shah came in search for Guru Sahib and was told that Dhan Sree Harkrishan Saaheb Jee had gone back to Sachkhand and HIS last words were BABA BASEY GRAAM BAKAALEY. When the Sikhs arrived in the village Bakala, they found 22 false Gurus claiming to be Baba Bakala.  Makhan shah also came to Bakala. He bowed to each of those holy looking gursikhs and gave 2 gold coins – each Guru was pleased and blessed him with blessings.

But Makhan Shah was unhappy as he knew Sachey Paatshah, The true Guru is not yet found, then he learnt of a holy man meditating in an underground room. Again, Makhan Shah bowed and placed 2 gold pieces. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji said: “Why have you broken your promise ?, when you prayed to God to save you and your ship from the terrible storm you promised 500 gold coins to the Guru”. Makhan Shah was overjoyed, he gave the rest of the gold as promised and ran to the roof shouting GURU LAADHO REY ~ GURU LAADHO REY

“The True Guru has been found, O Sikhs come seek his blessing”. The false Gurus all ran away.

After a short time oppression and intolerance reared it’s ugly head. The Moghal 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 used to slaughter cows inside it. He also had Hindus sacked from their government jobs and employed Muslims instead.

After hsi daily namaz from Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Aurangzeb would sit on an elephant and would order Kooch meaning walk on those begger hindus. It was said that he wouldn’t eat his morning breakfast untill he would hear the news of Hindus’ conversion everyday and literally getting a weight of 1.25 MaNN of torn Janeoos ’sacred thread’ of hindus (which had been taken from the bodies of hindus). Aurangzeb also ordered hindu temples to be destroyed and expelled many missionaries from the main cities. Despite some resistance after many years of persecution people were being forced to take up Islam.

Aurangzeb being clever, decided if he could convert the leaders of the Hindu religion then millions of followers would also convert. He started persecuting and harassing the Hindu Pandits of Kashmir.

The Kashmiri Pandits overcome by panic came in a delegation to Anandpur Sahib and requested Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s help. At this time Guru Ji’s 9 year old son Gobind Rai Ji told his father that “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 he was ready to sacrifice his life to protect the Hindus from mass conversion.

Guru Ji nominated Gobind Rai as his successor and left for Delhi with 3 other Sikhs, Bhai Sati Das Ji, Bhai Mati Das Ji and Bhai Dayal Das Ji .

Its pertinent to mention here that Dhan Guru Tegh Bahaadar Saaheb Jee went off the way to Agra, while enroute to Delhi from Anandpur Saahab.

WHY ?????

Because there was an old lady who was about to breathe her last, she had woven a thaan (a piece of cloth) and had done ardaasaa to Ghat Ghat Key Antar Kee Jaanat Satguru Dhan Guru Tegh Bahaadar Saahab jee to accept her humble offering before she dies. Dhan Guru Tegh Bahaadur Saahab jee went specially to accept that THAAN (That piece of cloth) from that Maayee. Till date in Agra, there is a Gurudwara Maayee Thaan standing in memory of Our Guru saahab who always hears our prayers of poor & meek ones. Aurangzeb’s people arrested Guru Saahab and gursikhs and all were taken to Delhi, where all accepted death by torture rather than give up their ideals and convert to Islam.

Guru Ji was beheaded on 11 November 1675 (at the site of present Sees Ganj Gurudwara Saahab in Delhi), Bhai Jetha Ji, a gursikh took Guru Ji’s head to Anandpur Sahib where it was cremated by Dhan Guru Gobind Rai Jee and Bhai Lakhi Shah carried Guru Ji’s body to his house (at Gurudwara Rakaab Ganj Site), which he then set on fire to cremate Guru Ji’s body.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji had a versatile personality, a warrior, family man with social commitment and a preacher of great understanding and vision. His martyrdom broke the myth of Aurangzeb’s religiosity.

The achievements of Guru Tegh Bahadur saahab are remarkable;

During the last period in Guru Ji’s life, Guru Ji founded a new town called CHAK NAANKEE which was later called Anandpur Sahib (City of Bliss) and went on missionary tours to UP, Bihar and Bengal (Now BanglaDesh). Guru Ji also initated welfare projects all over northern Panjab.

Guru Ji symbolised the triumph of good over evil, Guru Ji’s martyrdom unique in the history of mankind, inspire till date all Sikhs and humanity to lay down their lives for noble causes and moral values.

Guru Ji was also a versatile poet and embodied a message of freedom, courage and compassion; “Fear not and frighten none”

Bang Kai Bangaalee

Firang Kai Firangaawaalee

Dilee kai Dilwalee Teree Aagyaa Meh Chalat Hai

Tilak Janjhoo Raakhaa Prabh Taakaa | Keeno Bado Kaloo Meh Saakaa |

Saadhan Hait Itee Jin Karee | Sees deeyaa Par See Naa Uchree |

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