Summary :
* He was trained in the arts of archery
* He was trained in the martial arts of swordsmanship and horse riding
* Knew old classics
* Set out on a number of missionary journey
* Sacrificed his life fot the sake of another religion
In the year 1674, the Hindu religious leaders, approached Guru Ji and compalined that Emperor Aurangzeb was forcing them to change their religion to Islam. Guru told the Pundits, "Go and tell the Emperor that you will agree to embrace Islam if he can persuade your Guru Tegh Bahadur to be converted to the Muslim faith".
On conveying the message to Aurangzeb, he gave orders to arrest Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji. On not agreeing with Aurangzeb, Guru Ji and his followers were tortured badly. Bhai Mati Das, the devoted Sikh, was tied between two pillars and his body split in two by being sawn alive. Bhai Dyala was boiled alive in a cauldron of boiling water and Bhai Sati Das was wrapped in cotton wool and burnt alive. Guru Ji was even prepared to give up his life. By seeing this Aurangzeb became furious and ordered that Guru Tegh Bahadur ji be executed publicly in Chandi Chowk.
On November 11, 1675 Guru Tegh Bahadur ji had his bath and recited the sacred prayer of Japji Sahib. Aurangzeb ordered to bring him out of the Kotwali. Guruji was made to sit on a platform. Guruji sat absorbed in deep meditation, while the executioner took his 
sword and at one stroke Guru Ji was beheaded. The body of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji was left in the dust and no one dared to pick up the body, for fear of the Aurangzed. Just then a severe storm covered the city. Bhai Jaita ji quickly managed to collect Guru's sacred head and carried it off to Anandpur Sahib to the Guru's son. Another Sikh, Bhai
Lakhi Shah managed to carry the body of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji to his house and cremated the Gurus body by setting his house on fire. Now the place to be known as Gurudwara Sis Gang Sahib.
"This neither happened, nor will happen that a Guru of one religion sacrificed his life to save another religion"
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandi Chowk, Delhi, is visited by thousands of devotees everyday, This stands as a monument to the unique sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. Kirtan is performed in this Gurdwara throughout the day.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji can be called as the peerless martyr in the history of the world. He laid down his life for the protection of 'Tilak' and 'Sacred Thread' of the Hindus.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth guru of the sikhs was born in 1621, in Amritsar, at Guru Ka Mahal. His father was Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji and mother Bibi Nanki Ji. He was the youngest son in the family. In 1633, he was married to Mata Gujri Ji, daughter of Lal Chand Khatree, and had a son named Gobind. He received the 'Divine Light' in 1664 and became the ninth Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji did not choose Tegh Bahadur as his successor, instead Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji, his grandson was choosen as his successor. Guru Har Rai ji in turn choose his youngest son Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji as his successor. Then Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji, pointed "Baba Bakala", referring to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji to be his successor. After the death of Guru Har Krishan sahib ji, Sikhs went to the village of Bakala looking for Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. On confirming they came across many saints who confirmed themselves to be the guru. The Sikhs were in a confusion as to whom they will call the Guru or was really their Guru was ?
There was a merchant named Makhan Shah. His ships, carrying valuable cargo, were caught in a fierce storm. He prayed to God and vowed to offer five hundred gold coins to the Guru, if his goods reached home safely. Thus, the true prayer though was by heart, was accepted by the Guru and his merchandise safely arrived at the port. Makhan Shah immediately set out for Delhi to give his thanks to the Guru, where he received the tragic news that Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji had passed away. He got to know that now in his palce the other Guru was in the village Bakala.
Makhan Shah, forwarded his steps to Bakala, to pay his homage to the Guru. When he found many calling themselves as Guru, on asking as who was the real Guru, he decided that he would pay homage to all of the twenty two claimants and placed two gold coins before each of them as tribute. He got to know that a holy man lived across the street. Makhan Shah went to the Guru to pay his homage, and found Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, in meditation. On placing two Gold coins in front of the Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji smiled and said "You had pledged five hundred coins". On listening this, Makhan Shah kept looking at Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and became so elated that he found the Guru. He started shouting from the rooftop 'Guru ladho re, Guru ladho re ' which meant I've found the Guru, I've found the Guru! on liatening this all the Sikhs rushed to the house of the quiet saint for darshan.
Guru Tegh Bahadur ji set out a number of missionary journeys. At first he visited Kiratpur and then to Taran Taran, Khadur Sahib, Goindwal and Amritsar. In 1665, he acquired a tract of land from the raja of Kahlur and founded the town of Chak Nanaki, named in honour of his mother, which was later known to be as Anandpur Sahib. The main aim of these tours was to spread Sikhism. During his journey, wherever he would stop, the Guru would get wells dug for the people and community kitchens. Guru Ji, left his family at Patna, as his wife Mata Gujri was expecting their child, and moved to areas which were not visited since the time of Guru Nanak. In 1666, while on his tour, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was blessed with a child, a son named Gobind Rai.
In 1669-1670 Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji started went Patna with his family, to see his son, Gobind Rai for the first time. Guru Tegh Bahadur ji stayed here for a year and gave training to his son in the Sikh scriptures, horse riding and swordsmanship. Then in 1672-1673, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji finally returned home to Anandpur Sahib.
At that time, the epidemic, smallpox spread out in Delhi. It caused manu deaths. Guru Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji dig the lake at Bangla Sahib containing God's nectar, 'Amrit' which provided a cure for thousands. Guru Ji attended the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed, and was known as 'Bala Pir' (child prophet) and took over the disease upon his own body to ward off the epidemic. The swear attack of smallpox confined him to bed for several days. Guru Harkrishan Sahib ji called his mother and told her that his end was near. When asked to name his successor, he merely exclaimed 'Baba Bakala', thereby referring to Guru Tegh Bahadur, who had settled there at village Bakala near river Beas in Punjab.
Thus the 'Bala Pir' passed away on Chet Sudi 14,(3rd Vaisakh), Bikrami Samvat 1721, (30th March, 1664) slowly reciting the word "Waheguru". Guru Gobind Singh Sahib paying tribute to Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji stated in "Var Sri Bhagoti Ji Ki"... "Let us think of the holy Harkrishan, Whose sight dispels all sorrows..."
"Sri Har Krishan ji dhiayee… Jis dhithe sab dukh jaye."
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was constructed in Guruji's memory. This is where he stayed during his visit to Delhi. This was originally the palace of Raja Jai Singh, who was a strong Sikh and a devotee of the Guru.
Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji, the eighth Guru Nanak, was born on July 7, 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib. He was the second son of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji. Ram Rai, the elder brother of Guru Harkrishan Sahib was terminated, due to his anti-Guru ghar activities. At the age of five, Sri Harkrishan Sahib Ji was declared as the eighth Guru Nanak by his father Guru Har Rai Sahib before his death in 1661. Ram Rai Ji was filled with jealousy and thus complained the emperor Aurangzeb, against it. Aurangzeb gave orders to bring the Guru in front of him. At first the Guru was not willing, but at the repeated requests of and Raja Jai Singh, he agreed.
Devotees of Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji from every walk of life camen to do the darshan of their eighth Guru. They followed the Guru Sahib up to village Panjokhara near Ambala. From this place the Guru advised his followers to return to their respective homes. Then Guru Sahib went to Delhi. Here Pandit Lal Chand, questioned Guru Sahib about the meanings of Gita. Then Guru Sahib called a water-carrier, Chhaju Ram to expound the philosophy of the Gita. When Pandit Lal Chand listened, he asked Guruji for forgiveness and became Guruji's sikh.
In Delhi, Guru Ji stayed at Raja Jai Singh's place. The people from all walks of life flocked the palace to have a glimpse (Darshan) of Guru Harkrishan Sahib. To test Guru's intelligence, Raja Jai Singh requested the Guru Sahib to identify the real queen out of the equally dressed ladies. The Guru at once went to a lady dressed as a maidservant and sat in her lap. This lady was the real queen. Within short time, Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji through his friendly and caring behaviour with the common people gained many followers.
Guru Har Rai Sahib, the sixth Guru Nanak was born on 3rd March, 1644. Guru Har Rai Sahib was the son of Baba Gurdita Ji and Mata Nihal Kaur Ji. Guru Har Rai Ji was married to Mata Kishan Kaur Ji(Sulakhni Ji), daughter of Sri Daya Ram Ji. Guru Har Rai Sahib ji had two sons Sri Ram Rai Ji and Sri Har Krishan Sahib Ji.
Guru Har Rai Sahib ji was a man of peace but he never disbanded or discharged the armed Sikh Warriors(Saint Soldiers), who earlier were maintained by his grandfather Guru Hargobind Sahib. He otherwise further boosted the military spirit of the Sikhs. But he never himself indulged in any direct political and armed controversy with the contemporary Mughal Empire. Once on the request of Dara Shikoh (the eldest son of emperor Shahjahan). Guru Sahib helped him to escape safely from the bloody hands of Aurangzebs armed forces during the war of succession.
Guru Sahib also established an Aurvedic herbal medicine hospital at Kiratpur Sahib. Once Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan fell seriously ill. He was shown to the best physicians available, but no sign of improvement could be seen. At last the emperor requested Guru Sahib for the treatment of his son. Guru Sahib thus saved the life of Dara Shikoh. The emperor, whole heartily thanked and wanted to grant some "Jagir", but Guru Sahib never accepted.
Guru Har Rai Sahib ji established 360 Sikh missionary seats and tried to improve Masand system. But the corrupt massands, Dhir Mals and Minas always tried to make problems in the advancement of Sikh religion. Also, after the death of Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb made the atomosphere of the state unfavorable for the non-muslims. Aurangzeb also framed false charges against Guru Sahib and was summoned to Delhi. Ram Rai Ji appeard on behalf of Guru Sahib in the court. He tried to clarify some mis-understandings regarding Guru Ghar and Sikh faith, created by Dhirmals and Minas.
Ram Rai, in order to please the emperor, inserted the word Musleman instead of word Beiman, in Guru Granth sahib Ji. (The actual meaning of the verse is that the human soul is not bound to the physical structure or the body of a person. The physical material of the bodies of both Hindus and Muselmans face the same fate and it is a universal truth. The soul leaves the body immediately after the death and it does not remain in the grave waiting for doom's day. And the earth consumes the body-material in due course of time). When Guru Har Rai Sahib was informed about this incident, he excommunicated Ram Rai Ji from the Sikh Panth and strickly denied for any alteration of Guru Granth Sahib ji, and said would remain as set up by Guru Nanak Sahib ji.
Guru Har Rai Sahib ji in his end days, appointed his younger son Guru Har Krishan sahib ji as the Eighth Nanak and passed away on 1718, (6th October, 1661) at Kiratpur Sahib.
The spreading of the fame of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was not tolerated by Jahangir, and so ordered his soldiers to imprison him in the Gwalior Fort. As Guruji received the summon from Jahangir, he went to Delhi to have important discussions with Mata Ganga Ji, Baba Budha Ji, Bhai Gurdas Ji, Bhai Jetha Ji and Bhai Sahlo Ji. Then, after discussion he appeared before the Emperor Jahangir. A debate on Sikh religion and Sikh doctrines held between Guru Sahib and Jahangir, but emperor remained unimpressed and ordered for the imprisonment of Guru Sahib at Gwalior Fort. Guru Sahib was detained there from 1609 to 1612.
Sain Mian Mir and Wazir Khan, 'the Governor of Lahore' approached Jahangir to have the releasing orders of guru Hargobind Sahib ji. Guru ji kept a condition that he will come out only along with the fifty-two Hindu Princes, who were staying there at the Gwalior Fort as prisoners, and were released in 1612. Thus, ther title "Bandi Chhor Baba" was given to Guruji. Guru Sahib reached Amritsar on the occasion of Diwali. This was a big occasion for the Sikhs. It is said that Baba Budha Ji littered the earthen lamps throughout the Amritsar city.
From now, the attitude of Jahangir towards Guru Sahib changed considerably and remained friendly till the death of Jahangir. Shortly after having cordial relations with the state, Guru ji started to re-consolidate the Sikh Nation. Guru ji started spreading Sikhism by undertaking Dharam Parchar tours. Starting from Amritsar, he covered thousand miles in India. In Punjab he visited Kartarpur and made it as headquarter of Sikh Nation in Doaba, along with, visited several adjoining villages like Bara Pir, Mukerian and laid the foundation stone of Sri Hagobindpur town in 1621. This was a major achievement by Guru Hargobind Sahib ji. Now for the first time since the invasion of Muslims, with the guidance of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, sikh nation prepared for the armed resistance. This was to oppose the injustice of the Muslims, thus was an imperative measure of defense for the sikhs. Thus as army was prepared, ready to defend their interests with the swords.
Shah Jahan changed the policies after the death of emperor Jahangir. He ordered to destroy all the temples and Gurdwaras, which were under construction. The sacred Baoli of Guru Arjan Sahib in Dabbi Babar, Lahore was converted into a mosque, which was later re-excavated by Maharaja RanJit Singh but unfortunately was again destroyed in 1947, by the Muslims mobs. In 1629 Mukhlis Khan was made the Governor to Lahore. He and Qazi Rustam Khan were best friends. According to some historical accounts Kaulan(Mata), a Hindu lady, was forcibly abducted (kidnapped) by the Qazi Rustam Khan and was made a maid servant. Having been under the influence of Sain Mian Mir, she became a follower of Guru Sahib. On noticing her devotional interest in Sikh religion, the Qazi became harsh. With the help of Saint Mian Mir, she was safely escorted to Amritsar, Where she was provided with a safe and separate lodging. Within a short span, she won the sympathy of the Sikhs, and thus became popular among the Sikh masses. Later the pond near which she was living, was converted into a tank by Guru Sahib and was named Kaulsar, after the name of Kaulan Ji.
When Shah Jahan succeeded the throne after the death of his father Jahangir, Qazi Rustam Khan made a complaint to him for Guru sahib. Guru Sahib fought five battles, and won all. Soon after this, a tussle began over the two horses between Guru Sahib and Subedar of Lahore. These horses were forcibly snatched and taken into custody by the Mughal officials from the devotees of Guru Sahib. This incident was informed to Guru Sahib. Bhai Bidhi Chand a daring disciple recovered the horses one by one from the royal stable.
Guru Sahib crossed the Sutlej River and reached Kiratpur Sahib where he established another spiritual and preaching center of the Sikh Nation. Here, Guru Sahib spent ten years of his life and breathed his last on Chet Sudhi 5th (6th Chet Samvat 1701) 28th February 1644. It is said that when Guru's body was placed on fire, and as the flames rose high, a large number of Sikhs tried to burn themselves on the funeral pier. Before Guruji's death, Guru Sahib nominated Har Rai Sahib, as his successor, the second son of Baba Gurditta Ji.
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