*Guru Tegh Bahadur was a contemporary of Aurangazeb. He was able to gather many disciples & became powerful in Punjab region. At the same time, Hafiz Adam, a Muslim Fakir of Sufi order of Shaik Ahamed Sirhindi, was also gaining popularity in Punjab . The Royal News Writers of Aurangazeb’s Court sent complaints to the Emperor that two Fakirs, one Muslim & the other Hindu, were levying forcible exactions from the public.*
*According to the Sikh version, which is based on contemporary evidence, (including that of Guru Govind who was to become the Tenth Guru), that a group of Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur to help them out of their predicament of Forcible Conversion to Islam by Aurangazeb. Tegh Bahadur, had advised them to inform the Mogul Officials that if the Guru accepted conversion they would follow suit. The Guru was summoned to Delhi & on his refusal to accept conversion to Islam, was beheaded.* *Emperor Aurangazeb was not in Delhi at that time, though there is no doubt that it was his order which was implemented. Two of the guru’s followers were also executed along with him. At the time of execution, the Chief Kazi asked the Guru to perform some miracle, so that his life could be saved. Thereupon, the Guru wrote something on a piece of paper & tied it with a string round his neck. This, he said would prevent the executioner from cutting off his head. When the Guru’s head was severed, the piece of paper was opened. It read, ‘sis diya par sirr na diya’ meaning that “I gave my head but not my secret”.* *Before his body could be quartered & exhibited to the public, it was stolen by one of his devotees, under the cover of darkness. The site of the execution, in Chandni Chowk, Delhi was marked by Sis Ganj Gurdwara. The site where the body was cremated was marked by Rikab Ganj, which is next door to Parliament House of today. But the head of the Guru was taken to Anandpur where it was cremated by his son Govind. The Gurudwara there is also called Sis Ganj.* *Guru Govind wrote the following verse on the martyrdom of his father (abridged)* *“To protect their right to wear their caste marks and thread,* * He gave his head but never cried in pain,* * He suffered martyrdom for the sake of his faith,* * He lost his head but revealed not his secret”* -- With best wishes S Chander
