Sikhism is a distinctive religion marked by its belief in one God, known as ‘Ek Onkar’. Sikhs are considered the disciples of God and follow the teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The word ‘Sikh’ in the Punjabi language means ‘disciple’. In this article, we delve into the history of Sikhism and its gurus, focusing on Guru Teg Bahadur.
Guru Teg Bahadur: Early Life and Teachings
Guru Tegh Bahadur was born on 21st April 1621 in Amritsar to Mata Nanki and Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru known for his revolutionary concepts of warrior saints and defying Mughal rule. In his early childhood, Tegh Bahadur was trained in Gurmukhi, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Indian religious philosophy by Bhai Gurdas, while Baba Budha tutored him in martial arts such as swordsmanship, archery, and horse riding.
Referred to as Tyag Mal due to his ascetic nature, Tegh Bahadur exhibited his bravery against a Mughal chieftain when he was just 13. His spiritual prowess is reflected in the 116 poetic hymns that he wrote and which now form an integral part of the ‘Guru Granth Sahib,’ the sacred text of Sikhs.
Travels, Contributions, and Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur
As an ardent traveler, Guru Teg Bahadur also established preaching centers across the Indian subcontinent. During these travels, he laid the foundation for the town of Chak-Nanki in Punjab, which later became a part of Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib. However, in 1675, he was executed under the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi.
Sikhism: The Way of the Guru
Sikhs refer to their faith as Gurmat or ‘the way of the Guru’. The religion was founded by Guru Nanak and was subsequently led by a succession of other nine Gurus. Sikhism condemns blind rituals and emphasizes equality across races, religions, and genders in the eyes of God. The Khalsa, individuals who undergo the Sikh baptism ceremony and strictly follow the Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions, epitomize the highest Sikh virtues of commitment and social conscience.
Sikh Literature: Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth
The eternal Guru in Sikhism is believed to dwell in the Adi Granth, revered by all Sikhs as the Guru Granth Sahib. Controversy surrounds the Dasam Granth due to uncertainty about its authorship and composition.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
A democratically elected body known as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, comprising Sikhs from around the world, was established under a special Act of Parliament in 1925. The committee oversees religious affairs, cultural, and historical monuments.
Ten Gurus of Sikh Religion
The Sikh religion was initially established by Guru Nanak Dev and later led by a succession of nine other Gurus. Notable achievements include the introduction of Guru Ka Langar by Guru Nanak Dev and the invention of the new script called Guru-Mukhi by Guru Angad. Guru Amar Das abolished discriminatory practices like Sati and Purdah, while Guru Ram Das founded Amritsar and started the construction of the Golden Temple. Guru Arjun Dev led the completion of the Golden Temple and composed the Adi Granth. However, he was executed by Jahangir on charges of aiding prince Khusrau.
Transforming the Sikh community into a military one was initiated by Guru Hargobind who is often referred to as the “Soldier Saint.” He also established Akal Takht and fortified the Amritsar city. Later Gurus like Guru HarRai and Guru Har Krishan maintained peace with Aurangzeb despite religious differences. Guru Teg Bahadur founded Anandpur Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh Guru in human form founded the Khalsa warrior community and passed the Guruship to the Guru Granth Sahib.
This article offers an account of the historical and religious journey of Sikhism, its Gurus, and their teachings, with specific focus on Guru Teg Bahadur.