Paying obeisance to sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib: a Prophet and a martyr on his 350th martyrdom day on november 25th, 2025

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth prophet-teacher of the Sikhs, was cruelly martyred by beheading on November 11, 1675, in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb.

Besides martyring Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, Aurangzeb also passed orders that the whole family of any person who went near the deceased’s body would be annihilated. The martyrdom sent a wave of shock and mental torture among the Sikh community.

Among those who witnessed this distressful martyrdom was Bhai Uda Ji. After undergoing the unbearable mental agony of the incident, Bhai Uda Ji went to the house of Bhai Nanu Ji in Dilvali Mohalla near Ajmeri Gate, about half a mile from the place of execution. There, the Sikhs gathered to share their sorrow and to plan how to cremate the mutilated sacred body of Guru Sahib.

In this meeting, apart from Bhai Nanu Ji and Bhai Uda Ji, others present included Bhai Jaita Ji, Bhai Tulsi Ji, Bhai Agya Ji, and Bhai Gurbaksh Ji. Bhai Nanu Ji suggested consulting Lakkhi Shah Lubana Ji, a devout Sikh and trader from Raisina village, who was camping nearby with his caravan.

That night, amidst a severe storm, Lakkhi Shah Ji, along with his sons Nagahia, Hema, and Harhi, and Bhai Dhooma Ji, retrieved Guru Sahib’s body from Chandni Chowk. To evade Mughal reprisal, he placed the headless body in a cart, took it to his home in Raisina village, and cremated it by setting his entire house on fire. This sacred site later became Gurdwara Rikab Ganj Sahib, established by Sardar Baghel Singh Ji.

Meanwhile, Bhai Jaita Ji and Bhai Nanu Ji had already carried off Guru Sahib’s sacred head. For the night, they kept it in Kucha Dilvali Sikhan. Unfortunately, no Gurdwara was built at this historically significant spot.

The next morning, November 12, Bhai Jaita Ji began his journey towards Kiratpur Sahib with Guru Sahib’s head, passing through Karnal, Taraori, Ambala, Banur, and Nabha. Along the way, several Sikh families sheltered and revered the sacred head, and in time, Gurdwaras Sisganj Sahib were established at these holy places.

On November 16, Bhai Jaita Ji reached Kiratpur Sahib, where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, along with Mata Nanaki Ji and Mata Gujri Ji, received the sacred head. In deep grief, the Guru placed it in a palanquin and uttered the historic words:
“Ranghreta Guru Ka Beta” – The Ranghreta (Bhai Jaita Ji’s caste) is the Guru’s son.

From Kiratpur Sahib, the Guru-family and devotees carried the sacred head to Anandpur Sahib, where it was reverently cremated. The site became Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib, and nearby stands Akal Bunga Sahib, where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji urged devotees to remain calm and firm in faith.

Lakkhi Shah Ji later arrived with half of the mortal remains, which were immersed in the river Satluj amid the chanting of:

“Hail Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib!
Hail Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib!”

This year marks the 350th year of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, to be observed on November 25, 2025, by the Sikh community worldwide.

Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib!