Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

The Legend of Guru Tegh Bahadur

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Guru Tegh Bahadur

Mains level: Not Much

guru

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:

  1. Dadu Dayal
  2. Guru Nanak
  3. 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

 

 

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