Punjab GK ยท Sikh history ยท Gurus 9โ10
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji: Martyrdom, the Khalsa of 1699 and the Guru Granth Sahib โ Exam Notes
Between 1664 and 1708 the Sikh community faced its sternest tests and emerged with a new identity. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji gave his life for freedom of conscience; Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa, fought a series of battles, lost all four sons and finally vested Guruship in the Guru Granth Sahib. These events are among the most frequently asked topics in Punjab GK.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621โ1675; Guru 1664โ1675)
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Ji, was recognised as Guru at Bakala after Guru Har Krishan Ji's words "Baba Bakale". Tradition records that the trader Makhan Shah Lubana identified him among many claimants.
- Anandpur Sahib: In 1665 he founded Chakk Nanaki, which grew into Anandpur Sahib in the Shivalik foothills.
- Travels: He travelled widely in the east, including to Patna, where his son Gobind Rai was born in 1666, and on to Dhaka and Assam.
- Martyrdom (1675): When Kashmiri Pandits sought his help against forced conversion, he chose to face Emperor Aurangzeb. He was executed in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, in 1675. His companions Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dayala were also martyred.
- Memorials: Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib marks the place of martyrdom; Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib marks where his body was cremated. Bhai Jaita carried his head to Anandpur Sahib.
- Title: He is remembered as "Hind di Chadar" โ the shield of India โ for defending the right of others to practise their own faith.
- Hymns: His hymns were added to the scripture by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666โ1708; Guru 1675โ1708)
Born Gobind Rai at Patna in 1666, he became Guru at the age of nine after his father's martyrdom.
Early years
- He spent several years at Paonta Sahib on the Yamuna, where he wrote poetry and trained in arms.
- He won the Battle of Bhangani (1688) against an alliance of hill chiefs.
Creation of the Khalsa (Baisakhi 1699)
On Baisakhi, 1699, at Anandpur Sahib (where Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib stands today), the Guru asked for volunteers ready to give their heads. Five came forward โ the Panj Pyare:
| Panj Pyare | Original home (by tradition) |
|---|---|
| Bhai Daya Singh | Lahore |
| Bhai Dharam Singh | Delhi (Hastinapur) |
| Bhai Himmat Singh | Jagannath Puri |
| Bhai Mohkam Singh | Dwarka |
| Bhai Sahib Singh | Bidar |
- He initiated them with Khande di Pahul (amrit) and then received amrit from them himself.
- Initiated Sikhs took the name Singh, and women the name Kaur.
- Members of the Khalsa keep the Five Ks: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (comb), Kara (steel bangle), Kachera (undergarment) and Kirpan (sword).
- His name became Guru Gobind Singh.
Battles and sacrifices
- Siege of Anandpur (1704): After a long siege by Mughal forces and hill chiefs, the Guru left Anandpur on promises of safe passage that were broken.
- Battle of Chamkaur (1704): His elder sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, were martyred fighting at Chamkaur Sahib.
- Younger Sahibzadas: Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, aged about nine and six, were bricked alive at Sirhind on the orders of the faujdar Wazir Khan; their grandmother Mata Gujri Ji also died there. Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib marks the site. Since 2022, 26 December is observed as Veer Baal Diwas in their memory. Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan of Malerkotla protested against the execution.
- Zafarnama: The Guru wrote the Zafarnama ("Epistle of Victory"), a letter in Persian to Aurangzeb condemning the broken oaths.
- Battle of Muktsar (1705): At Khidrana, forty Sikhs who had earlier deserted him returned under Mai Bhago and fell fighting. The Guru blessed them as the Chali Mukte (Forty Liberated Ones); the place became Sri Muktsar Sahib, where the Maghi Mela is held.
Damdama Sahib and Nanded
- At Talwandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib), the Guru prepared the final recension of the scripture with Bhai Mani Singh, adding the hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Damdama Sahib is called "Guru ki Kashi".
- He travelled south and reached Nanded on the Godavari, where he met Madho Das Bairagi, who became Banda Singh Bahadur.
- In 1708, before passing away at Nanded, he declared that Guruship would rest in the Guru Granth Sahib (spiritual guidance) and the Khalsa Panth (the community). Takht Sri Hazur Sahib stands at Nanded.
Timeline 1664โ1708
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1665 | Chakk Nanaki (Anandpur Sahib) founded |
| 1666 | Birth of Gobind Rai at Patna |
| 1675 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Delhi |
| 1688 | Battle of Bhangani |
| 1699 | Creation of the Khalsa, Anandpur Sahib |
| 1704 | Siege of Anandpur; Battle of Chamkaur; martyrdom of the Sahibzadas |
| 1705 | Battle of Muktsar (Khidrana) |
| 1708 | Guruship vested in Guru Granth Sahib at Nanded |
Key points to remember
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: founded Anandpur Sahib (1665); martyred at Chandni Chowk, Delhi (1675); Hind di Chadar.
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji: born Patna 1666; Khalsa on Baisakhi 1699 at Anandpur; Panj Pyare; Five Ks.
- Chamkaur โ elder Sahibzadas; Sirhind/Fatehgarh Sahib โ younger Sahibzadas; Veer Baal Diwas, 26 December.
- Muktsar โ Chali Mukte and Mai Bhago; Damdama Sahib โ final scripture; Nanded 1708 โ Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib.
Practice questions
Q1. Anandpur Sahib (Chakk Nanaki) was founded in 1665 by:
- (a) Guru Hargobind Ji
- (b) Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
- (c) Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- (d) Guru Har Rai Ji
Show answer
Answer: (b) Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji โ Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji founded Chakk Nanaki, later Anandpur Sahib.
Q2. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was martyred in 1675 at:
- (a) Lahore
- (b) Sirhind
- (c) Chandni Chowk, Delhi
- (d) Agra
Show answer
Answer: (c) Chandni Chowk, Delhi โ Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib marks the site in Chandni Chowk.
Q3. The Khalsa was created on Baisakhi in the year:
- (a) 1675
- (b) 1699
- (c) 1704
- (d) 1708
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1699 โ Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in 1699.
Q4. The younger Sahibzadas were martyred at:
- (a) Chamkaur
- (b) Sirhind (Fatehgarh Sahib)
- (c) Muktsar
- (d) Nanded
Show answer
Answer: (b) Sirhind (Fatehgarh Sahib) โ Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were bricked alive at Sirhind by Wazir Khan.
Q5. Veer Baal Diwas is observed on:
- (a) 13 April
- (b) 23 March
- (c) 26 December
- (d) 1 November
Show answer
Answer: (c) 26 December โ 26 December commemorates the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas.
Q6. The 'Zafarnama' was written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to:
- (a) Bahadur Shah
- (b) Aurangzeb
- (c) Wazir Khan
- (d) Farrukhsiyar
Show answer
Answer: (b) Aurangzeb โ The Zafarnama is a Persian letter addressed to Aurangzeb.
Q7. Damdama Sahib, where the final recension of the scripture was prepared, is at:
- (a) Talwandi Sabo
- (b) Anandpur Sahib
- (c) Kiratpur Sahib
- (d) Goindwal Sahib
Show answer
Answer: (a) Talwandi Sabo โ Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo is known as Guru ki Kashi.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the Chali Mukte?
Forty Sikhs who fell fighting at Khidrana (Muktsar) in 1705, led back to the Guru's side by Mai Bhago.
Where did Guru Gobind Singh Ji pass away?
At Nanded on the Godavari in 1708, where Takht Sri Hazur Sahib stands.
What are the Five Ks?
Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera and Kirpan โ the articles of faith worn by initiated Sikhs.
Official sources
- Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)
- Punjab Digital Library
- Press Information Bureau (Veer Baal Diwas)
Rules, dates and figures can change. Always check the latest official notification or government release before relying on a detail.