The entire human species is embraced in love as the All-Powerful assumes human form. The Divine Incarnate radiates a warmth akin to that of God and longs for the welfare and redemption of all of creation. This nectar of grace and love was given by the beneficent, all-loving Guru Tegh Bahadur (also known as Guru Nanak the Ninth) to 500 Kashmiri Pandits, who then spread it to an entire religion and a whole country.
In light of this background and circumstance, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib's sacrifice for the Kashmiri pandits must be understood. Being the Jagat Guru, he is a part of the entire cosmos. A Prophet, a Messiah, or a Jagat Guru's love and mercy are unbiased and do not distinguish between people. On everyone the same, it pours like rain. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the most compassionate Guru, displayed an unmatched kindness characteristic of the House of Guru Nanak when the Pandits of Kashmir, who were exposed to unimaginable persecution and tyranny, approached him for protection.
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It seems orders for his arrest had been issued by emperor Aurangzeb as soon as he received reports of his declared intention, SHRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR SAHIB JI along with his followers Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Sati Das ji Bhai Dyala Ji, Bhai Gurditta Ji, Bhai Udo ji, and Bhai Jaita ji started journey from SHRI ANANDPUR SAHIB. Guru Sahib arrived in Agra after stopping at Saifabad (Patiala), Cheeka, Jind, Rohtak, and Janipur. At this location (GURUDWARA SHRI MANJI SAHIB, to the left of GURUDWARA GURU KA TAAL in the same campus), GURU SAHIB halted outside the city of Agra.
According to history, a goat herder by the name of Hasan Ali used to bring his goats here to graze. He frequently prayed to God for the arrest of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the savior of the Hindu people, so that he might be held accountable and get a reward of Rs. 500. Hasan Ali was asked to go get sweets from the market by Guru Sahib because He was starving.
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He was given Guru Sahib's priceless ring to sell in the market and use the proceeds to buy some treats and meals. Additionally, Guru Sahib handed him a shawl to use for carrying the treats and food. In exchange for the sweets, Hasan Ali went to the confectioner and offered the store owner the ring. When the merchant saw such expensive items, he grew suspicious that a grazer might have stolen them and reported them to the Kotwali (Police Station). Hasan Ali, who drove them to Guru Sahib, was detained by the police.
When the police inquired about Guru Sahib, he responded, "The savior of Hindus Tegh Bahadur is my name." When the police heard this, they also arrested the other Sikhs including Guru Sahib. In Bhora Sahib (below the main Darbar Sahib), Guru Sahib was held with his eyes covered for nine days. A reward of 500 rupees was offered to Hasan Ali in return. From there, Guru Sahib and the other Sikhs were transported to Delhi in a highly-secure vehicle.
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Along with him were arrested Diwan Mati Das and Sati Das, sons of Hira Nand Chhibbar, and Dyal Das, son of Mai Das. He was then cast into an iron cage and taken to Delhi, where he arrived on 4th Nov. 1675.
On November 24, 1675, Guru Ji was executed. Bhai Jaita dedicated Guru Ji's severed head to Anandpur Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh cremated it. After the execution, a violent storm developed, so Bhai Lakhi Shah moved Guru Ji's body to a nearby house and lit it on fire to hide the cremation of his Guru. According to legend, Bhai Jaita's father offered to be beheaded to make up for the loss of the Guru's corpse. Numerous Pandits converted to Sikhism, and their leader Kirpa Ram died with Guru Gobind Singh's older sons while battling the Moghuls. Kirpa Ram was baptized as a Sikh.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was a multifaceted individual who excelled as a preacher, warrior, family man, and social activist. His martyrdom dispelled the religious fervor of Aurangzeb.
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