🔸Marriage and Family Life.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was married to Mata Gujri Ji, a devoted and spiritually inclined woman. The couple lived a peaceful and humble life in Bakala, a small town where Guru Ji spent most of his time in meditation, introspection, and service to the people. They were later blessed with a son, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who would go on to become the tenth Guru and a phenomenal spiritual and martial leader of the Sikh faith.

🔸Years of Contemplation and Seva.

After the Guruship was passed to his elder brother and later other Gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji lived a life of simplicity and meditation. He did not seek power or position, rather devoted his time to Naam Simran (meditation on God’s name) and selfless service. In Bakala, he helped construct wells, community centers, and places of worship. He taught the value of truth, contentment, detachment, humility, and righteousness, both by word and example.

🔸Guruship: Chosen by Divine Will.

After the Jyoti Jot of Guru Har Krishan Ji in Delhi, there was confusion among the Sikhs regarding the next Guru. Before leaving the world, Guru Har Krishan Ji had only said “Baba Bakale,” indicating that the next Guru resided in the village of Bakala. Many imposters began claiming Guruship in Bakala. However, a sincere and devoted Sikh, Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana, had once prayed to the Guru during a sea storm, promising 500 gold coins if he survived. When he reached Bakala, he tested each self-proclaimed Guru by offering two coins. All accepted silently — until he met Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Upon giving the two coins, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji said:

“ਭਾਈ! ਤੂੰ ਤਾਂ ੫੦੦ ਮੁਹਰਾਂ ਵਾਅਦਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ।”
(Brother, didn’t you promise 500 coins?)

Makhan Shah was stunned. Overcome with joy, he rushed to the rooftop and shouted:

🗣️ “ਗੁਰੂ ਲੱਧੋ ਰੇ! ਗੁਰੂ ਲੱਧੋ ਰੇ!”
(I have found the Guru! I have found the Guru!)

These historic words echoed through the village, putting an end to the confusion. The Sangat rejoiced and accepted Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji officially assumed the Guruship in 1664.

🔸Spiritual Travels and Teachings.

As Guru, he undertook long and extensive Udasis (spiritual journeys) across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, and Assam, spreading the message of Naam (God’s name), Seva (service), and Dharam (righteous living). He founded several towns, including Anandpur Sahib, which later became a center of Sikh life and revolution under Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Ji’s teachings emphasized:

• Equality of all humans, regardless of caste or religion.
• The impermanence of material life.
• Devotion to the divine
• Non-attachment and humility

His Bani (spiritual hymns) can be found in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, filled with deep spiritual wisdom and philosophical insight.

🔸The Turning Point – Standing Against Injustice.

During Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s time, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was forcefully converting Hindus and others to Islam. People, especially the Kashmiri Pandits, were tortured and pressured to abandon their faith. They sought help from Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who listened to their plight and made a historic and selfless decision: He would sacrifice his life so that freedom of religion could prevail. Guru Ji declared that if he, as a holy man and spiritual head, was able to stand up to the tyranny and remain unconverted, it would stop the forced conversions.

🔸The Turning Point – Standing Against Injustice.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji traveled to Delhi, where he was arrested by the Mughal authorities under Aurangzeb’s orders. He was imprisoned in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, along with his three companions: Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Ji. Each companion was tortured and martyred in cruel ways for refusing to give up their faith. Guru Ji was then given the ultimatum: convert to Islam or face death.

Unmoved, fearless, and firm in his principles, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji chose martyrdom. On November 24, 1675, he was publicly beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. His severed head was carried by Bhai Jaita Ji to Anandpur Sahib, and his body was cremated secretly by Lakhi Shah Vanjara, who set his home ablaze to hide the cremation.

🔸Final Days & Jyoti Jot.

The final days of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs, are among the most profound and moving chapters in Sikh history—marked by supreme sacrifice, spiritual courage, and unwavering commitment to righteousness.

The Context of Sacrifice

During the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, a systematic campaign was launched to forcibly convert Hindus, particularly the Pandits of Kashmir, to Islam. Threatened, persecuted, and helpless, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits sought the guidance and protection of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Anandpur Sahib. The Guru listened patiently to their plea and recognized that it was not just a question of protecting a community, but defending the fundamental right to practice one’s faith freely.

To test his son’s understanding and spiritual resolve, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji asked young Gobind Rai (later Guru Gobind Singh Ji):

“Who can offer their life to protect dharma (righteousness) and the oppressed?”
To this, the young child replied with utter clarity and bravery:
“Who else but you, O Father, is more worthy of such a sacrifice?”

This response affirmed the Guru’s own inner conviction.

Arrest & Imprisonment

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji then declared his intent to challenge the emperor’s tyranny. He proceeded to Delhi, accompanied by his loyal disciples—Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Ji. On reaching, they were arrested by the Mughal authorities and brought before Aurangzeb. The Guru was offered two choices: convert to Islam or face death.

Despite intense pressure and the brutal execution of his companions in front of his eyes—Bhai Mati Das was sawed in half, Bhai Dayala was boiled alive, and Bhai Sati Das was wrapped in cotton and burnt—Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji remained calm and firm in his faith. He chose death over forced conversion, not for himself, but to uphold the right of others to their beliefs.

⚔️ The Supreme Sacrifice

On 24th November 1675, in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was publicly beheaded by the orders of Aurangzeb. His martyrdom was not for personal gain or power but was a historic stand for human rights, freedom of religion, and justice.

The severed head of the Guru was courageously retrieved by Bhai Jaita Ji, who took it through enemy lines to Anandpur Sahib, where the young Guru Gobind Singh Ji performed the final rites. Meanwhile, Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara, a devout Sikh, managed to retrieve the Guru’s body and, to avoid detection, burned down his own house in Delhi to cremate the Guru’s remains respectfully. Today, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi stands at that sacred spot.

Legacy of Light

The martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was not the end but the beginning of a new chapter in Sikh history. He became “Hind Di Chadar”—the Shield of India. His sacrifice awakened the nation to stand against oppression and showed that spiritual strength is mightier than physical power. He proved that a true saint is not only a man of prayer and peace but one who will lay down his life for truth and justice.

“The body may perish, but the spirit that stands for righteousness lives on eternally.”