Baisakhi of the Khalsa Panth

Under the guidance of the Ten Gurus, the sikhs continued their mental, social, and spiritual progress. The principles established by Guru Nanak, began to appeal to ever increasing numbers of people of other faiths. However, Emperor Jehangir saw in the Sikh religion a direct challenge to Islam. He, therefore, decided to close ( what he described ) this shop of Falsehood. As a result, he ordered Guru Arjan, the 5th Nanak to be tortured and killed. That was the first martyrdom of a Sikh Guru. The next was the putting to the sword of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Nanak. Emperor Aurangzeb was an extremely bigoted and intolerant monarch. He wanted all his subjects to be of the Islamie faith. The Hindu Leaders of the time approached Guru Tegh Bahadur to intercede with the emperor on their behalf. The Emperor offered to spare the Guru’s life, if he were to convert to Islam himself, otherwise he shall face death. The Guru stood firm for the right of the people to practise a religion of their choice. The consequence was that he was beheaded at a public execution.