The Sikh Gurus were epitomes of sacrifice. They did not bend before the mighty Mughal Empire but chose the path of resistance, sacrifice, and martyrdom. Guru Arjan Dev was executed during the reign of Jahangir, and Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed during the reign of Aurangzeb.
The first Sikh Guru to be executed by the Mughals was Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. He is credited with the compilation of the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib). He was accused of blessing Prince Khusrau, the rebellious son of Jahangir. Although Guru Arjan Dev had no role in the conflict between Jahangir and his son, he was arrested and brought to Lahore Fort. He was forced to convert to Islam, which he refused. As a result, he was executed. After the execution of Guru Arjan Dev, the Sikh Panth adopted the path of militarisation and armed self-defence.
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, is credited with founding Anandpur Sahib. He travelled extensively across India and raised his voice against the persecution of non-Muslims by Aurangzeb. Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur for protection against religious persecution, and he provided them refuge and support.
These activities enraged Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Tegh Bahadur was arrested along with his companions and brought to Delhi. He was forced to accept Islam, which he firmly rejected. His companions were brutally executed, and Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded at Chandni Chowk in 1675.
The place where Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded is now marked by Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, and the place where his body was cremated is marked by Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, founded the Khalsa in 1699 and continued the struggle against Mughal oppression. Several battles were fought between Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughals. His two young sons, Zorawar Singh (9 years old) and Fateh Singh (6 years old), were forced to convert to Islam, which they refused. On the orders of Wazir Khan, the Mughal governor of Sirhind, they were bricked alive, becoming symbols of supreme sacrifice in Sikh history.
