GURU TEGH BAHADUR
The 9th Sikh Guru
Tegh Bahadur became the Guru of the Sikhs at a time when the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb's policy of religious intolerance and persecution had antagonised vast sections of is subjects. In the Deccan however, Shivaji's powers continued to be on the rise and in 1674, he proclaimed himself king. The made Aurangzeb even more ruthless in his religious persecution.
When the Hindus of Kashmir were denied the freedom to follow their faith, they approached Guru Tegh Bahadur for help and guidance. More than four hundred years ago religious intolerance and persecution was common all over the world. It was at this period of time that the Guru carried the conviction that every individual must have the freedom of worship the faith of his or her choice.
Great ingenuity was used in devising new kinds of torture for the Guru and his closest disciples. But Aurangzeb failed to crush their spirit. Thus the Guru laid down his life for a great principle, which widely propounded the belief in most parts of the world. Even to this day, he is remembered as Hindi-di-chadar (literally, the cover-let of India), protectot of India's honor.
