- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was the ninth Sikh Guru. - Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was persecuting Kashmiri Pandits, forcing them to convert to Islam.
Events Leading to Martyrdom:
- Request for Help: Kashmiri Pandits sent a delegation to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, seeking his protection. - Guru's Response: Guru Ji agreed to intervene and traveled to Delhi to plead for the Pandits' religious freedom. - Aurangzeb's Demand: Aurangzeb demanded that Guru Ji renounce his faith and convert to Islam.
Martyrdom:
- Refusal to Convert: Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji refused to compromise his beliefs and stood firm in his faith. - Arrest and Torture: Aurangzeb ordered Guru Ji's arrest and subjected him to severe torture. - Public Execution: On November 11, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was publicly beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi.
Details of the Execution:
- Guru Ji was tied to a stake and his head was severed with a sword. - His body was chopped into pieces and his head was put on display. - The execution was witnessed by thousands of people.
Significance:
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's martyrdom became a symbol of Sikh resistance to religious persecution. - It demonstrated the importance of religious freedom and the willingness to sacrifice one's life for it. - Guru Ji's sacrifice left a lasting impact on Sikh history and the development of the Sikh faith.