3. In an act of desperation and fear, the Kashmiri Pandits came to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee after finding no help from anywhere else. They explained their predicament, that they were given the ultimatum to either convert to Islam or accept death.

1. In 1675 India was in a bad state. People did not have religious freedom and Emperor Aurangzeb wished to bring the whole of India under the Islamic fold. Since 1669 he unleashed a horrific policy to bring punishment to those who were non-Muslim.

2. One group who were becoming increasingly vulnerable was the Hindus. Aurangzeb was quick to realise that if he successfully converted the Kashmiri Pandits, who were revered among their community, the rest of the people of India would soon accept Islam.

5. Guru Jee explained these Kashmiri Hindu’s were in a predicament and there was a need for a great soul to face this cruel government. Gobind Rai, being only 9 years old at the time, replied “Father, I don’t see anyone more capable than you to do this!”

6. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee then decided that he would face Aurangzeb and declared that if Aurangzeb could convert him, then the Hindus would agree to do the same without resistance. So Guru Jee along with some trusted Sikhs left for Delhi.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee’s Shaheedi Storyboard – Part 1

4. Guru Jee was deeply concerned by their situation and saddened to see freedom to practice their religion being threatened. At this point the son of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee called Gobind Rai entered the Main Hall and asked his father why everyone was in such deep thought.

9. First Bhai Mati Das Jee was brought to the court. The Emperor said: "Brother, embrace Islam and enjoy the pleasures provided by us in this life and in heaven. If you do not embrace Islam, your body will be sawn into two."

7. On their arrival, Guru Jee was asked to convert to Islam or else face the penalty of death. Guru Jee bravely declared that he would rather sacrifice his life than give up his faith or his freedom. So Guru Jee was then kept chained and imprisoned in an iron cage and was tortured for 8 days.

8. Guru Jee always remembered God and was able to withstand the torture with no sign of grief or complaint. Upon seeing that Guru Jee is not affected by the tortures given, the Emperor decided he would start torturing the other 3 Sikhs with the purpose of scaring Guru Jee to convert to Islam.

11. The same pleasures were offered to Bhai Sati Das Jee but he too refused and was ordered to be wrapped in cotton and be burnt alive. Bhai Dayala Jee too refused these same pleasures and refused to accept converting to Islam. He was ordered to be boiled alive in a cauldron full of boiling water.

12. Finally after peacefully bearing different forms of torture and watching his 3 Sikhs be martyred at the request of Aurangzeb, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee still was not shaken and refused to accept Islam as his religion. Tthus Guru Jee was beheaded and became a martyr. How great was Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee, who sacrificed his own life to protect another faith.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Jee’s Shaheedi Storyboard – Part 2

10. Bhai Mati Das Jee replied, "I can sacrifice hundreds of such heavens for my religion. I see all the happiness in the path of my faith alone." Hearing this reply the Emperor ordered Bhai Mati Das Jee be sawn in half whilst still alive. Thus Bhai Mati Das Jee became a martyr.