Introductory - Global Sikh Studies

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emphatic were the Gurus in matters of principle and in training their
people in a life of truth, courage and boldness.
The third great event in the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur. It
took place on November 10, 1675, about sixtynine years after that of
guru Arjan. Yet, how close is the resemblance between the causes
that led to these martyrdoms and the response to them. By this time,
Aurangzeb’s anti-Hindu policy was in full swing. He cast away all
caution to the winds and proceeded in such an open manner that it
offended the susceptibilities of even the loyal Rajputs. Conversion to
Islam was not only encouraged but also enforced. In Kashmir,
Aurangzeb’s viceroy, Sher Afghan Khan, carried out mass conversions
to Islam and massacred those who resisted. Latif in his history says:
“The Emperor had in those days thrown hundreds of Brahmins in Jail
in the hope that, if they first embraced the religion of the Prophet, the
rest of the Hindus would readily follow their example.” 58 It was at
this juncture that some of the Kashmiri Pandits sought Guru Teg
Bahadur’s help, 58a because people had come to look up to him as the
one person who could be expected to take a bold stand against the
Mughal state. 58b The Guru was very much moved to hear their tale
and was in a pensive mood when his son, Govind Rai, who was only
nine years old, happened to come there. The son asked the father
what made him so engrossed in thought. The Guru replied, ‘there is a
serious crisis. It can be resolved if some holy person sacrifices his
life. ’59 On this Gobind Rai remarked, ‘for that purpose who is more
worthy than thou…?” 60 At this the Guru told the Kashmiri Pandits to
convey it to the Governor of Kashmir that if Guru Teg Bahadur
embraced Islam they would follow suit. Evidently, the Pandits
informed the governor who conveyed the message to Aurangzeb. Soon
after it, the Gur was summoned to Delhi. He was asked to show a
miracle. The Guru tied a piece of paper around his neck and declared
that the sword would not be able to pierce it. When the executioner
made the fatal blow, the Guru’s head was sereved from the body. No
the paper was found written, “Sees diya, Sirar na diya”, meaning that
he had given his head but not his resolve. 61
Guru Arjan had sacrificed himself to defend religion in the