The Real Guru Teghbahadar Sahib

At a SikhRI fundraising gathering in British Columbia, Harinder Singh delivered a talk commemorating the 350th Shahidi Purab of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib, reflecting on the theme Wisdom, Courage, and Sovereignty.

While commemorations across India mark this milestone, the talk invites us to pause and ask more profound questions: Who is the Guru, and why did Guru Teghbahadar Sahib attain Shahidi? Addressing the ongoing narrative battle, the talk challenges simplified and politicized interpretations of the Guru’s life and legacy.

Key reflections from the talk include:‍

• Guru Teghbahadar Sahib raised political consciousness among the people, not retreat from the world.
• Meditation was the Guru’s state of being, not a withdrawal from action.
• The Guru actively shaped Sikh life by establishing Anandpur Sahib and the first Sikh diaspora center in Patna.
• Guru Teghbahadar Sahib is remembered as a fearless Guru, deeply engaged with society.
• Drawing from Sri Gur Sobha by Kavi Chandra Sain ‘Sainapati’, the Guru is described as “Srisht di Chadar” — the protector of humanity, beyond religious boundaries.

The talk concludes by affirming that Guru Teghbahadar Sahib’s Shahidi cannot be confined to any single community or faith; it stands as a universal stand for conscience, dignity, and human sovereignty.

This recording is shared as part of SikhRI’s effort to foster thoughtful and authentic engagement with Sikh history and wisdom.

Date: Saturday 22 Nov 2025
Location: Grand Taj Banquet Hall, Surrey, BC