Introductory - Global Sikh Studies

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Guru’s sense of the word. The later Gurus continued to convert
Muslims to the Sikh faith despite the consequences which this ploicy
had invited, according Jahangir’s own version, on Guru Arjan. Guru
Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom was also selfinvited. Haqiqat states that
Emperor Aurangzeb himself had written to the Guru: “If, as previously,
like the poor Nanakpanthis faqirs, you live peacefully in a corner, no
harm will befall you. On the contrary, alms, suitable for your
maintenance in the style of faqirs, would be given to you from the
state treasury… But the horses and arms, and equipment of your
retinue that you have gathered in your place of worship, must be
removed.” 62 ‘Accordingly, the faudar of Sirhind intimated this order
(to Teg Bahadur). Before the proud and virile disciple who had
assembled there, Teg Bahadur said definatly: “We are faqirs; what God
has given us, why should we return.” 63 The Guru thus not only defied
Aurangzeb’s order, he, instead invited martyrdom to save the oppressed
Kashmiri Pandits. No more clear independent evidence of the Gurus’
ideological line than the one provided by Haqiqat is needed. Had the
guru been content to pursue the conventional practice of religion, the
way was left open to him by Aurangzeb. In fact, the same Emperor
had conferred a jagir on Ram Rai who had chosen the path of least
resistence. But, Guru Teg Bahadur’s resolved to resist religious
dictation and political oppression was an integral part of the Gurus’
view of religion. Otherwise, there was no point in his publicly refusing
to disarm, because this would be an open defiance of any state. Guru
Gobind Singh writes, “He (Guru Teg Bahadur) suffered martyrdom
for the sake of his religion; He gave his head but swerved not from his
determination.” 64 The same Guru leaves no doubt about the Sikh
view of religion, when he describes that God commanded him with a
mission:
“I have cherished thee as My son,
and created thee to extend my religion” 65
Thus, under god’s command,
“I assumed birth for the purpose
of spreading the faith, saving the saints,