FROM TYAG MAL TO GURU TEG BAHADUR
Guru Teg Bahadur was born in Amritsar at Guru Ke Mahal (The Guru's palace). He was youngest son of Sri Guru Har Gobind Sahib. His mother was Mata Nanaki. His real name was TYAGMAL. He lived with his father in Amritsar till he was nine years old.
Since childhood, Teg Bahadur was saintly in nature. Besides this, his other virtues were courage, fearlessness and renunciation. He was educated under Guru Har Gobind's supervision, the lord of Miri and Piri. He was given training in spiritualism as well as martial arts, of preaching Guru Mat as well as using the weapons. As Tyagmal got expertise in using Teg (sword) or fencing, he came to be known as Teg Bahadur.
MARRIAGE
Guru Teg Bahadur was married to Mata Gujari, the daughter of Shri Lal Chand, a resident of Kartarpur, Jalandhar. They begot a son Gobind Rai who became the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
RECEIVING OF GURU GADDI
At the time of demise, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji had uttered "Baba Bakale", that is, the successor of Guru Gaddi is in Bakale. His followers at once called for Guru Teg Bahadur from Bakale. At Bakale, Teg Bahadur had built a Bhora for performing penance. Guru Teg Bahadur was performing penance not only for his personal salvation, but for the whole country. After the demise of Guru Har Krishan Sahib ji, Teg Bahadur occupied the Guru Gaddi on March 30, 1664 AD, and thus became the ninth Guru of the Sikhs.
MAKKHAN SHAH LUBANA
Makkhan Shah Lubana was an Indian merchant who had trade links with far-off countries. He took merchandise from India to sell in far-off countries.
Once a ship carrying Makkhan Shah's consignments was struck by a storm. The ship was sinking slowly. Makkhan Shah then Prayed silently to Guru Teg Bahadur. What followed then was not less than a miracle. The ship began to emerge as if some strong shoulder supported and sailed her ashore. In his Prayer, Makkhan Shah had promised to present five hundred gold coins in his service.
When his ship was saved and reached home safely, Makkhan Shah went straight away to Bakale to see Guru Teg Bahadur. He had taken five hundred gold coins with him to present it to the Guru. There, he saw 22 imposters in the guise of the Guru. Sequentially, he put five coins before each of them. He was sure that the real Guru would unfailingly remind him of his promise to pay five hundred coins. When none of the 22 Gurus reminded him of his promise, Makkhan Shah understood that they were all imposters. Ultimately, he reached Bhora where Guru Teg Bahadur was performing penance. The Guru's both shoulders were bleeding profusely. Makkhan Shah put five coins before him too, but the Guru reminded him of his prayer and offering of five hundred coins. Hearing these words, Makkhan Shah was overjoyed that he had found his Guru. At once, he climbed over a roof and called out loudly: "Guru Ladho Re, Guru Ladho Re", that is, I have found the true Guru. When the throng of devotees present there came to know the reality, they too gathered around Guru Teg Bahadur.
ATTEMPT ON GURU'S LIFE
When Dhirmal saw that everyone had accepted Teg Bahadur as Guru, he could not tolerate it. And, he conspired to kill the Guru through a Masand Shian. They tempted Shihe to shoot down Guru Teg Bahadur. But Guru Teg Bahadur had a narrow escape and the bullet just grazed his turban. With the help of his friends, Shihe looted Guru Ghar and fled with Dhirmal to Kartarpur taking whatever they could find.
When Makkhan Shah learnt about the incident, accompanied by some Sikhs he chased them and recovered the plundered wealth. But Guru said:
"HARAKH SOG JA KAI NAHI, VAIRI MEET SAMAN,
KAHU NANAK SUN RE MANA, MUKAT TAHEN TAIN JAN"
That is, the one whose mind is free from joy or sorrow, and who regards even his foes as friends is Gyani (learned) in the true sense. Thus the merciful Guru Teg Bahadur returned all the wealth to Dhirmal.
TRAVEL OF GURU TEG BAHADUR SAHIB
Starting from Bakale, Guru Teg Bahadur travelled via Goindval Sahib and Khandur Sahib and reached Amritsar. In Amritsar, when Guru went to see Hari Mandir Sahib, local priests got alarmed that if Guru stayes there, their means of employment would cease to exist. So they closed all the doors of Hari Mandir Sahib. Guru sat in the verandah and waited for the doors to open. The spot where Guru Teg Bahadur was seated under a Berry tree, there is now Gurdwara Thada Sahib. From Amritsar, Guru reached a village Valla where people welcomed him heartedly. Pleased by their hospitality, Guru exclaimed "Valla Guru ka Galla" (Valla is the bowl of Guru). In village Valla today stands Gurdwara Kotha Sahib, built in the memory of Guru Teg Bahadur.
From Valla, Guru reached Kartarpur. Here he purchased the village Makhowal from the king of Kahalur. The village Makhowal was situated amidst extremely beautiful mountains. On the lands of the village, Guru Teg Bahadur founded a town, which is now known as Anandpur sahib.
From Anandpur Sahib and travelling via Ghanoli, Ropar etc. Guru reached Sabo Ki Talwandi. Then travelling via Kurushetra, Mathura, Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad, Prayag and Kashi, Guru reached Patna. After Patna, Guru made extensive tours of Rajmahal, Malda, Murshidabad and Dhaka.
In Dhaka, Guru mediated and effected a pact between the king Rama Singh and the king Chakradhwaj, the chieftain of Ahomi tribe. Then, he toured Assam and ultimately returned to Punjab.
ATROCITIES OF AURANGZEB
As soon as Aurangzeb occupied the throne, he ordered the demolition of all the Hindu temples, and ordered that, Hindu scholars should study in Islamic schools and mosques. A special department was formed for the massive conversion of Hindus into Islam. Auragzeb was so intolerant that apart from Hindus and Sikhs, he could not tolerate even those sects of Islams like Shia and Sufi etc. who had different opinions. He began to oppress them as well. Aurangzeb feared that all the non-Islamic provinces of India would continue to pose a threat to the Moghul Empire. So he wanted to convert them also into Islamic provinces. By that time, only the regions of Assam, Bengal, Maharashtra and Rajasthan were in the Aurangzeb's empire. But he wished to convert the whole of Kashmir into Islamic state first. Then, he started eyeing Punjab.
Thus, by the order of Aurangzeb, and by the power of sword, Sher Afghan Khan began to terrorize Kashmiri Pundits in order to convert them into Mohammedans. Kashmiri Pundits reached Anandpur Sahib and appealed Guru Teg Bahadur to protect them. Guru assured them that they had come in the Nanak's court. Hence, he would definitely save their religion and protect their life. When Guru Teg Bahadur's son Gobind Rai came to know these things, he said to his father: "Father, it is our duty to help them." Gobind Rai's words motivated Guru Teg Bahadur to go to Delhi at once and give supreme sacrifice.
Thus, travelling via Kiratpur, Rohtak etc. and preaching the people neither be afraid nor terrorize others, Guru reached Agra, the seat of Moghul empire. Five Sikhs accompanied him: Bhai Matidas, Bhai Dayala, Bhai Gurditta, Bhai Uda and Bhai Jaita.
 |
Guru's preaching brought a new awakening in the masses. A new enthusiasm appeared in the people to fight against oppression. Aurangzeb was in Hasan Abdal then. As soon the matter was reported to him, He could not tolerate ond ordered for the Guru's immediate arrest. Subsequently, Guru Teg Bahadur was arrested in Agra and brought to Delhi. There the Guru parted with the three accompanying Sikhs Bhai Jaita, Bhai Guruditta and Bhai Dayala, so that they could keep informing Gobind Rai of the events taking place in the town. After his arrest Guru, Teg Bahadur suggested Kashmiri Pundits to inform Aurangzeb that if the Guru accepted Islam, all the Hindus of India would accept Islam without any condition. |
Then Kazis began to lure and tempt Guru Teg Bahadur so that he could accept Islam. But he replied: "My thoughts are far above than honour, respect, wealth, property etc. I have no greed for wealth, there is sufficient for me in the Guru Ghar.
MARTYRDOM OF GURU TEG BAHADUR SAHIB
When all the temptations to impress the Guru failed, the Kazis said that either Guru should accept Islam or perform a miracle. If he could not do either of these two things, said the Kazis, then the Guru should be ready to face death.
Guru Teg Bahadur plainly refused to give up his religion and showing miracles was unbecoming of a Sikh Guru. Akal Purakh has empowered Guru for the help of poors and needy, and not for showing miracles, Servants of God do not look good when they show miracles. It is a violation of God's dictat. "We are ready to give our heads, because we have arrived here to give up our heads," asserted the Guru.
BHAI MATI DASS
With an intention of terrorizing Guru Teg Bahadur and loosen his firm determination, Moghuls decided to kill Bhai Matidas first.
Hearing the order of the qazis, Bhai Mati Dass prayed to the Guru, "O True King ! bless me so that I may do my duty by sacfiflcing myself for the glory of the faith." After the Guru had blessed him, the qazis asked Bhai Mati Dass, "Brother, embrace Islam and enjoy the pleasures provided by the goveInment. Moreover when you die as a Muslim, you will go to heaven where there will be streams of milk, many kinds of wine to drink and beautiful women to enjoy. If you do not embrace Islam, your body will be sawn into two." Bhai Mati Dass replied, "I can sacrifice hundreds of such heavens for my faith. I don't need women nor wine. I see all the happiness in the path of my faith." After his refusal, the qazis asked him his last wish, to which he replied, 'When I am being cut with the saw, let my face be towards my mentor so that I may behold my Guru till my last breath and he may keep on seeing me so that he may be convinced how happily I reach my last destination." By the order of the qazis, the executioners sawed Bhai Mati Dass in two on the 8th November, 1675 A.D., in Chandani Chowk, Delhi.
BHAI DAYAL DASS
On the 9th November, 1675 A.D., the qazis ordered that Bhai Dayal Dass be seated in a cauldron of boiling water. On hearing the ruling, Bhai Dayal Dass asked leave of the Guru. The Guru said, "Brother, your service has borne fruit due to which your turn has come before mine. Great are you and blessed is your devotion. What pleasure can be greater for me than to see my lifelong devotees sacrificing their lives for the protection of human rights even ahead of me. May God bless you with success."
Before putting Bhai Dayal Dass in the cauldron of boiling water, the qazis said, "There is still time. Embrace Islam and save yourself from pains otherwise you will face greater agony than your companion. You have seen how cruelly he was sawn." Bhai Dayal Dass replied, "You could not harass my companion. Did you notice, how calmly he was meditating on the word of his Guru when he was being sawn. Having made mockery of bodily pains, he had diffused into the Supreme Being. Hurry up and let my soul attain unity with the Lord." On his reply in the negative, the executioners sat him in the cauldron of boiling water. He stayed on sitting in the water with an unwavering mind. His flesh separated from his bones and his soul merged into the Supreme Being.
BHAI SATI DASS
On the 10th November, 1675 A.D., the qazis ordered Bhai Sati Dass to be wrapped in cotton and burnt. Before being wrapped in cotton, the qazis asked Bhai Sati Dass, "Save your life by embracing Islam and live in pleasure." Bhai Sati Dass replied, 'You cannot understand that my pleasure and happiness lie only in obeying the command of my Guru. It does not lie in saving this life which must end one day." At this reply, the executioners wrapped Bhai Sati Dass in cotton, poured oil over it and set fire to it. Bhai Sati Dass remained calm while burning till his last breath and remained true to his resolve.
HEAD AND TORSO OF GURU TEG BAHADUR
There was panic all around after Guru Teg Bahadur's death. With the suggestion of a Banjara Bhai Lakhi Shah and Bhai Jaita arranged to take the head and the torso of Guru Teg Bahadur in their custody. Bhai Lakkhi Shah reached Chandni Chowk and carried Guru's torso in a bullock cart to his home three miles away. There, setting his house on fire, he performed last rites of the Guru. There exists a Gurdwara Rakabganj in New Delhi at the site of cremation.
On the other hand, Bhai Jaita found the head of Guru. he took the head and reached to Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh embraced him and said: 'Rang Rete Guru Ke Bete' (the true sepoys are the sons of Guru). At the place where Guru Teg Bahadur's head was cremated in Chandni Chowk, there exists Gurudwara Shishganj now. |
