Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day in India ― Date, History, and Details

Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day in India

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History of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day in India and How to Celebrate/ Observe It

Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth guru of the Sikhs. He was executed on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi for refusing to convert to Islam. The day of his martyrdom, November 24, is commemorated as Shaheed Divas (Martyr’s Day) in India.

Guru Tegh Bahadur was born in Amritsar in 1621. His father, Guru Hargobind, was the sixth guru of the Sikhs. Guru Tegh Bahadur succeeded his father as the leader of the Sikhs at a time when the Mughal Empire was persecuting Hindus and Sikhs.

In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur was summoned to Delhi by Aurangzeb. The emperor demanded that he convert to Islam or face death. Guru Tegh Bahadur refused and was executed on November 24, 1675.

His martyrdom inspired many Sikhs to stand up against Aurangzeb’s tyranny. The tenth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, avenged his death by leading a rebellion against the Mughals.

Today, Shaheed Divas is observed in India with prayers and processions in memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice.