Guru Teg Bahadur’s valiant life and death, and why there’s confusion over his martyrdom date

Here's a short account of Guru Teg Bahadur's life, his execution by Aurangzeb, and how it was linked to Kashmiri Pandits.

Portrait of Guru Tegh Bahadur from the last quarter of the 19th century. (Via Wikimedia Commons/Academy of Fine Arts and Literature, Delhi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur (1621-1675) on Sunday (December 17), calling the ninth Sikh Guru a beacon of courage and strength.

“His unparalleled sacrifice for freedom and human dignity echoes through time, inspiring humanity to live with integrity and compassion. His teachings, emphasising unity and righteousness, light our way in the pursuit of brotherhood and peace,” the PM posted on X.

Last year, during celebrations for the 400th birth anniversary of the Guru, who was beheaded on Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s orders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Guru Teg Bahadur gave his life to protect Kashmiri Pandits from the brutality of the Mughals. Here’s a short account of the Guru’s life, his execution by Aurangzeb, and how it was linked to Kashmiri Pandits.

Life of Guru Teg Bahadur

After Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, it was Guru Teg Bahadur who travelled the most among the 10 living Sikh Gurus.

He travelled to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh. Guru Teg Bahadur’s journey is documented in the form of Gurudwaras established in the memory of his visits, including one in Ayodhya.

After Guru Nanak Dev, many Sikh families in various parts of India had not been able to see any of their Gurus up close. Guru Teg Bahadur’s travels, thus, revived Sikh centers far away from Punjab. This proved strategically important when Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, established the Khalsa in 1699.

Explained | Guru Nanak Jayanti: 5 things to know about Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism

The Guru was also a great poet, and his hymns are part of Guru Granth Sahib.

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The founder of the City Anandpur Sahib, which was geographically well-suited to defend against a big army, Guru Teg Bahadur’s name earlier was Teyag Mal. His father and the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib (1595-1644), changed the name to Teg Bahadur. He got his name from his fighting and sword skills on the battlefield.

The Guru was not only a warrior but also a great diplomat. He had very close relations with many contemporary kings. During the tour to the northeast region of India, Tegh Bahadur Sahib was instrumental in the conciliation between Raja Bishan Singh and Raja Paranpal, thus avoiding a war.

He was first arrested by the Mughals on the orders of Aurangzeb in 1665; however, the diplomatic relations he had established secured his release and he was able to continue his journey east. The execution came 10 years later in 1675.

Guru Teg Bahadur’s execution by Aurangzeb

According to Sikh sources Dasam Granth (1600), Gurbilas (1720), Gurbilas Patshahi Dasvi (1751), and Bansavalinama (1769), Kashmiri Pandits came to Guru Teg Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib to seek protection from forced conversion to Islam by Aurangzeb’s men.

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The Guru assured the Pandits of his protection. When he reached New Delhi, he was arrested along with disciples Bhai Matti Dass, Bhai Satti Dass (brothers), and Bhai Deyala ji. The three disciples were executed one by one, to threaten Guru Teg Bahadur to embrace Islam. When he remained steadfast in his refusal to do so, the Guru was executed in Chandni Chowk.

Gurudwara Sis Ganj now stands where at the location of Guru Teh Bahadur’s beheading. It was constructed in 1783. There is another Gurudwara in Rakab Ganj, near Parliament building. This is believed to be the location where the Guru’s body was cremated by Bhai Lakhi Shah, by setting ablaze his own house.

Confusion over date of martyrdom

There is some confusion regarding the date of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom.

Also Read | The life, times, and martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who refused to bow to Aurangzeb

Dr Hardev Singh, from the Department of Religious Studies, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, had told The Indian Express last year that this was due to the change in calendars over the years. “The Islamic Hijri calendar was in force when Guru ji was beheaded. Later, Sikh historians started relying on the lunisolar Bikrami Samvat calendar traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent. And then the British introduced the Gregorian calendar. This led to confusion,” he said.

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A few years ago, some Sikh scholars sought to introduce the Nanakshahi calendar to fix the dates of important historical events in Sikh history, but there was no unanimity on it.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More