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Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Guru 9 of 10 · 1621–1675 · Defender of Religious Freedom
"He who is not frightened, nor frightens others — call him alone a wise man"
— Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Quick facts
Born
1 April 1621, Amritsar, Punjab
Guruship
1665 – 1675
Title:
Hind di Chaadar (Shield of India)
Key contribution:
Martyrdom for religious freedom
Predecessor
Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji
Successor
Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Passed away
11 November 1675, Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Principles
1. Fearlessness before tyranny and oppression
2. Defend the rights of all people
3. Worldly life is temporary — only God is eternal
Early life & Background
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was born on 1 April 1621 in Amritsar, Punjab, the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Ji. He spent many years in deep meditation and contemplation before becoming the ninth Sikh Guru in 1665 following the passing of Guru Harkrishan Ji.
As Guru, he traveled widely across the Indian subcontinent — visiting Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and Odisha — establishing Sikh communities and composing hymns. He composed 115 hymns and 57 slokas included in the Guru Granth Sahib, many meditating on the nature of death, liberation, and devotion to God.
Martyrdom for religious freedom
In 1675, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits came to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, pleading for help. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was forcibly converting Hindus to Islam across the subcontinent. Though a Sikh, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji agreed to defend their right to practice their own faith.
He declared that if he — a Sikh — could not be converted, the Emperor would stop the forced conversions. He was arrested, taken to Delhi, and offered a choice: convert to Islam or face death. He chose death. He was publicly beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, on 11 November 1675. Three devoted Sikhs who refused to renounce their faith were also killed alongside him.
Legacy & Contributions
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom is regarded as one of history’s great acts of standing up for religious freedom — not for his own faith, but for the right of all people to practice their beliefs freely. He is honoured with the title “Hind di Chaadar” — Shield of India.
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, marks the site of his martyrdom and remains a powerful place of pilgrimage. His son, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, would go on to found the Khalsa — transforming the Sikh community’s response to oppression forever.
Teachings & core message
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji taught fearlessness in the face of tyranny and the duty to stand up for the rights of all people — even those of other faiths. He composed deeply meditative hymns on the impermanence of worldly things and the importance of living without fear of death.
