Celebration of Guru Tegh Bahadur the Ninth Sikh Gurus supreme sacrifice
In India’s Sikh History, Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom was an extremely important event. Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru. He undertook the prime sacrifice of life for the people who were not even from his community. Guru Tegh Bahadur is also known as Hind Ki Chadar i.e. Shield of India. In his memory, every year, 24th November is observed as his Martyrdom Day. It is known that Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom was the first ever martyrdom for human rights in the World.
Guru Tegh sacrificed his life for human rights – freedom to practice freely any religion without any hindrance or interference. A unique fact about the ninth sikh guru is that he was not just fighting for the rights of his own people, but also for the non-sikhs, the people of Kashmir. The Kashmiris were known to be respectable Hindus, and they were being threatened to convert to Islam.
In 1675, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb beheaded Guru Tegh Bahadur at Chandni Chowk, Delhi. It was the time when the word freedom was not even known by the people and even basic rights were denied to people. Aurangzeb wanted to convert India into a Islamic Nation. The Hindus were forced to convert to Islam or else be executed.
Every year on this day, the Sikh worship places are filled with the sound of chanting of the Bachittar Natak. This is a composition recorded by his son, Guru Gobind Singh, recounting his life. A number of Sikh temples have been built in the honour of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Delhi, was built in the space of his house, which was burnt down by his disciple. Guru’s body has also been cremated in the same space as his house.