Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day: 10 Known Facts About Shaheedi Diwas On November 24

Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas: India is observing the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who was the ninth Guru of the Sikh community. Tegh Bahadur was executed in November 1675, and since then this day is called Shaheedi Diwas. The majority of northern states have declared holidays for November 24 and November 25. Here are 10 known facts about Guru Tegh Bahadur and his martyrdom day. Also, check out what is open or closed!

Guru Tegh Bahadur FACTS:

1. Guru Tegh Bahadur was born in Amritsar on April 1, 1621, and was the youngest son of the sixth guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind. His family came from Sodhi clan of Khatris.

2. Tegh Bahadur's upbringing took place in Sikh culture. Growing up, he sharpened his skills in archery and horsemanship. He also mastered old classics of Indian culture such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Puranas.

3. He married to Mata Gujri on February 3, 1632, and moved to his ancestral village of Bakala in Amritsar district, with his wife after his father's death.

4. It was during 1664, when Guru Har Krishan contracted smallpox in March of that year. His disciples decided to find his successor in Bakala. The selection of Tegh Bahadur as the ninth guru was legendary and has its own significant tale.

5. His selection of ninth guru came after a wealthy trader named Makhan Shah Labana returned to Bakala to fulfill his vow of giving 500 gold coins to the Sikh Guru during his time of escaping a shipwreck. The trader searched for the ninth guru in Bakala. Labana would offer two gold coins to each of the applicants who were competing for the position for ninth guru. The trader believed that the right guru will know that he promised 500 gold coins and not two. Every guru he met accepted the two gold coin. But when Labana met Tegh Bahadur in Bakala, he offered him two gold coins as well. But then Tegh Bahadur blessed Labana but also said that his offering was short of the promised 500 gold coins. Labana knew it instantly and he ran shouting "Guru ladho re, Guru ladho re" which means he has found the Guru.

6. After being selected as the ninth guru in August 1664, Tegh Bahadur traveled extensively in different parts of the subcontinent, including Dhaka and Assam. He preached about the values and teachings of Guru Nanak, who is the first guru of sikhs.

7. The years that led up to his martyr emerged after 1672, when the persecution of non-Muslims reached new heights. Tegh Bahadur was approached by a congregation of Hindu Pandits from Kashmir who sought his help against Aurangzeb's persecutions and oppressive policies. He decided to help them and protect their rights.

8. With a strong will to protect the Kashmiri pandits, Tegh Bahadur decided to confront their persecution. He left his base in Bahadur and but was arrested during the year 1675 in Ropar and was put in jail in Sirhind. In November of that year, he was transferred further to Delhi and was forced to perform a miracle which was near to God-level or convert to Islam. He declined and then he was forced to watch three of his colleagues get tortured to death. They were --- Bhai Mati Das who was sawn in two, Bhai Dayal Das who was thrown into a cauldron of boiling liquid, and Bhai Sati Das who was cut into pieces.

9. Following that event, Tegh Bahadur was publicly beheaded in Delhi's Chandni Chowk on November 11, on orders of Aurangzeb who described his as bandit. Later, Sikh holy premises such as Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi mark the places of execution and cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur. His day of martyrdom (Shaheedi Divas) is commemorated in India every year on 24 November.

10. Over the years, India remembers Tegh Bahadur's courage and sheer will to protect humanity. He was considered as principled and fearless warrior. Tegh Bahadur has composed about 116 shabads and 15 ragas which are included in the Adi Granth and taught through the history among Sikh community.