Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, stands as an exemplary personality in Indian history, who stood for the principles of religious freedom, human rights, and universal brotherhood. His martyrdom in 1675 CE marked a watershed moment in the annals of humanity, as he sacrificed his life to protect the religious freedom of Hindus, who were facing forced conversions under Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's rule. For this, he is referred to as “Hind ki Chadar’ meaning ‘Protector of Hindustan’. But analysis of his philosophy and motivation reveals that although for the historical context the term ‘Protector of Hindustan’ is apt, yet what he stood for was ‘Humanity as a whole’. He also strengthened the ‘martyrdom’ tradition in Sikhs.
All this started with Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhi, who was a revolutionary guide and who taught 'universal brotherhood,' which emphasizes respect for everyone and their beliefs. His teachings focused on equality, compassion, and justice. He strongly supported a society where people from different religions and backgrounds could live together peacefully. Guru Nanak's message challenged the unfair social norms of his time like caste discrimination and religious intolerance. Throughout his life, he travelled widely to meet people from various cultures and faiths to share his ideas about love and unity.
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, truly lived by Guru Nanak's teachings through his ultimate sacrifice. In 1675, he was killed at Chandni Chowk in Delhi because he opposed Emperor Aurangzeb’s efforts to make Hindus convert to Islam against their will. His death showed great selflessness and courage; by choosing to stand up for others' right to religious freedom rather than saving his own life, Guru Tegh Bahadur not only protected Hinduism but also highlighted a core Sikh belief in standing up for justice and protecting those who are oppressed regardless of their religion.
The sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur is closely connected to the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. In 1606, because he refused to change as demanded by Mughal rulers, Guru Arjan Dev was executed. This set an important example in Sikhi about standing up against oppression and injustice. The sacrifices of both Gurus are key parts of how Sikhs view martyrdom today.
In Sikhi, the tradition of martyrdom shows a strong focus on following core values rather than rigid rules. Early Sikhs were more committed to key principles and less concerned with strict rituals or beliefs. This mindset helped create an adaptable and welcoming faith that prioritizes spiritual growth for people and communities alike. The Sikh Gurus demonstrated a commitment to principles over dogma by supporting individuals and communities based on justice and humanity rather than religious affiliation. Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru, established a mosque called "Guru Ki Maseet" (the Guru's Mosque) in his town for Muslims who had no other place to pray. This mosque still stands in Punjab today, serving as a testament to the Guru's respect for honest and humane practices in another faith. The Sikh Gurus also incorporated the writings of Baba Farid, Bhagat Kabir, Bhatts and other devotees from different religious denominations.
The ninth Guru's sacrifice underscores the Sikh belief in the equality of all humans and the rejection of religious persecution. This aligns with the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhi, who emphasized the oneness of humanity and the importance of standing against injustice. Guru Tegh Bahadur's actions thus represent a continuation and practical application of the foundational principles of Sikhi.
When Namdhari Sikhs could not bear the pain of public cow slaughter being practiced in British India and to a larger degree in princely state Malerkotla, they got ready for a rebellion. Guru Ram Singh asked them to wait as the nursery of newly established Sant Khalsa was yet small. However, when the Sikhs told Guru Ram Singh that they get inspiration for sacrifice from Guru Tegh Bahadur and feel that he instructs them to prevent the injustice, Guru Ram Singh did not further stop these men, bowing to the instruction of the ninth Guru. Thus, the spirit of true martyrdom was kindled in these men by the exemplary sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur about two centuries ago.
Unlike other belief systems that may see dying for religious fame as honourable or hope for materialistic rewards post-martyrdom, in Sikhi it's about living and dying while defending principles like truth, justice, and equality. The protection of Hindus in Hindustan (India) by Guru Tegh Bahadur was, in essence, a safeguarding of humanity itself. This act exemplified the core teachings of Sikhi, which emphasize equality, justice, and the right of every individual to practice their faith without fear or coercion. By standing up for the Kashmiri Pandits, who were not of his own faith, Guru Tegh Bahadur demonstrated that the defense of religious freedom transcends religious boundaries. In this way, Guru Tegh Bahadur's actions were a manifestation of the Sikh principle of "Sarbat Da Bhala" or welfare of all humanity.
In a world often divided by religion or ideology, these Gurus inspire people with their ideas about universal brotherhood and respect for diversity. By following principles like compassion, justice, and equality, people, including Sikhs can effectively manage differences within their faith community while also fostering unity.
A.S Panesar