|
The
martydom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
Kashmiri Brahmins, led by Pundit Kirpa Ram came to Guru Tegh Bahadur at
Anandpur in 1675 for protection against atrocities of Aurungzeb. They had
faced stiff taxes, atrocities, cruelty under muslim Mughal governor of
Kashmir. Honour of their daughters was being lost and they were losing
their religion to the fanatic zeal and proletyzation activities of Islamic
crusaders. They asked for a solution. Guru replied "Such activities can
only be stopped by a sacrifice of a great person". Just then 8 years old
son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Gobind Rai (Later Gobind Singh) came along and
saw his father in deep thoughts. He enquired about the reason. He offered
a possible solution by saying "who else is greater then you, O father".
Guru Tegh Bahadur knew immediately about his Dharma. He told Kashmiri
Brahmins "Go tell Aurungzeb that if they can convert your Guru then you
will all become Muslims." Kirpa Ram obliged and Aurungzeb issued summons
for Guru. Guru performed the ceromany and declared that next Guru will be
his son, Gobind Rai. His three devoted disciples, Dyal Dass, Sati Dass
and Mati dass insisted on going along with him, he agreed.
The rest account is from the book of "History of Sikh vol-1, by Hari Ram
Gupta. His ancestors were honoured by Guru Gobind Singh himself and
were given a title of Bhur-e-Shahi.
At Delhi 5-11, November, 1675
Aurungzeb had gone south, on his arrival to Delhi he demanded Guru ji at
capital. (Guru ji were at Sirhind at this time) The faujdar put Guru in an
iron cage and fastened it on the back of an elephant. His companions were
fettered and handcuffed, and were carried in a bullock cart to delhi. They
reached delhi on Nov 5 1675, and were kept at Kotwali jail. While in the
cage on his way to Delhi Guru Tegh Bahadur composed the following two
quatrains: The translation is
Dohra no. 53
[My strenght is exhausted, I am in bondage, I have
no resources. Saith Nanak God is now my refuge.
May he succour me as He did the elphant]
Then he replied to himself
dohra no. 54
[ Strength is here, bondage is broken. All the
resources are there. Nanak! everything is in
thy power; you are my refuge]
Aurungzeb's pressure tactics:
Syed Mohammad Latif writes: "The emperor had many religious disputations
with Tegh Bahadur, and asked him to show miracles, if he was true guru, or
to embrace Islam." The Guru replied that showing a miracle was to
interfere in the work of God which was wholly improper. As for embracing
Islam he considered his religion as good as Islam, and therefore the
change of religion was not necessary. The emperor ordered that Guru be put
to the severest tortures. After five day's persecution on 10th November,
the most heinous and most horrible scene was enacted before the eyes of
Guru who was kept in the iron cage. Aurungzeb thought that the sight of
such ghastly deeds might force the Guru to change his mind for embracing
Islam.
Sawing, bowling and chopping off:
Dyal Das, Mati Das and Sati Das as well as the Guru were brought to the
open space in front of the Kotwali where now stands a fountain. (Mati Das
and Sat |
|