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Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Gurmukhi: ਗਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ) (April 18, 1621 - November 24, 1675) was the ninth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on September 16, 1665 following in the footsteps of his grand-nephew, Guru Har Krishan. Before Guruji left his body, he nominated his son, Gobind Rai – who later was renamed - Guru Gobind Singh Ji, as the next and as he turned out the last Guru of the Sikhs – in human form. The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guruji's life:
- built the city of Anandpur Sahib
- toured various parts of India
- responsible for saving the Kashmiri Hindus who were being persecuted by the Mughals, laying down his own life.
- contributed 115 hymns to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, all of them Sloks.
- The Saloks (Mahal 9) near the end of the Guru Granth Sahib are extremely popular.
- Guruji martyred in Delhi by Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb.
- Gurdwara Sis Ganj, Chandani Chowk, Delhi, where he was beheaded and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Delhi, where at the residence of Lakhi Shah Vanjara - who burnt his house so as to cremate Guruji’s body.
Guru Ji whose original name was Tyal Mal (Master of Detachment) spent his childhood at Amritsar. In his early years he learned Gurmukhi, Hindi, Sanskrit and Indian religious philosophy from Bhai Gurdas, and archery and horsemanship from Baba Budha while his father Guru Hargobind Ji, Master of Miri and Piri taught him swordsmanship. .....More