In News:

The President of India paid tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur on his 350th Martyrdom Day on 24 November.

About Guru Tegh Bahadur

• Position: 9th Sikh Guru
• Known for: Spiritual depth, courage, and supreme sacrifice for religious freedom.

Early Life and Lineage

• Born: 21 April 1621, Amritsar
• Parents: Guru Hargobind (6th Sikh Guru) and Mata Nanki
• Birth Name: Tyag Mal (reflecting ascetic inclination)

Education and Training

• Scriptural Education: Trained under Bhai Gurdas
• Martial Training: Trained by Baba Budha
• Represents the Sikh tradition of spiritual–temporal synthesis (Miri–Piri).

Contributions and Leadership

• Bani: Composed 116 hymns included in the Guru Granth Sahib
• Preaching: Travelled widely across the Indian subcontinent spreading Sikh teachings
• Town Founded: Chak-Nanki, later developed into Shri Anandpur Sahib (Punjab)

Martyrdom and Legacy

• Year: 1675
• Place: Delhi (near present-day Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib)
• Cause: Executed on the orders of Aurangzeb for opposing forced religious conversions and defending freedom of conscience.
• Title Earned: “Hind di Chadar” (Shield of India)

Significance

• First martyr in world history to sacrifice life for the religious freedom of others.
• His martyrdom strengthened India’s tradition of pluralism, tolerance, and human rights.