Popular Revolts and Movements for Regional Independence—The Sikhs Revolt and Movement

The Sikhs and Aurangzeb: A Period of Conflict and Transformation

Early Sikh-Mughal Relations: A Period of Relative Peace

While some clashes occurred under Shah Jahan, there was no major conflict between the Sikhs and Aurangzeb until 1675.
Aurangzeb engaged with Ram Rai, Guru Har Rai’s elder son, at court. However, Guru Har Rai favored his younger son, Har Kishan, as successor.
Har Kishan died soon after, and Guru Tegh Bahadur became Guru in 1664.

Intrigues and Tensions: Seeds of Discord

Ram Rai claimed the guruship before and after Har Kishan's death. Aurangzeb did not interfere and granted him land at Dehra Dun.
Ram Rai remained in Delhi, plotting against the Guru and poisoning the emperor's mind against him.
Guru Tegh Bahadur, after his succession, went to Delhi but, to avoid Ram Rai’s intrigues, traveled to Bihar and served with Raja Ram Singh of Amber in Assam until 1671.

The Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur: A Turning Point

In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur and five followers were brought to Delhi. Accused of various offenses, he refused to recant his faith and was beheaded.
Several reasons are given for Aurangzeb's actions. Guru Gobind Singh’s poetic work suggests he sacrificed his life for the Hindu faith after meeting Kashmiri Brahmans.
Another tradition says he protested the oppression of Sher Afgan, the Governor of Kashmir, and forcible Hindu conversions. However, Saif Khan, a liberal, was Governor until 1671.
Another account claims rivals like Ram Rai suggested Aurangzeb ask the Guru for a miracle. However, Aurangzeb was out of Delhi from early 1675 to March 1676.

Persian Accounts: Official Justification and Counterarguments

Later Persian sources claim the Guru, with a large following, extorted money from villagers in Punjab with Hafiz Adam.
The local waqia navis warned the emperor of potential unrest.
However, Hafiz Adam had died earlier, and the execution occurred in Lahore, not Delhi. It seems Aurangzeb viewed it as a law and order issue.

Guru as a Champion Against Injustice: Popular Perspective

Another Persian source suggests the Guru helped peasants against local revenue collectors, jagirdars, and zamindars. He was seen as a champion against injustice.

Heightened Religious Tensions: A Contributing Factor

Aurangzeb’s emphasis on sharia, temple destructions (including new and some old ones at Mathura, Varanasi), and actions against rebellions and complaints by qazis created religious tension.
In this climate, any conflict with a religious leader had major repercussions.
Aurangzeb’s action was unjustified and narrow-minded. The execution forced Sikhs to retreat to the Punjab hills and militarize.

Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa: Transformation of the Sikh Movement

Guru Gobind Singh transformed the Sikh movement, founding the Khalsa in 1699.
Based at Makhowal/Anandpur, he and his followers faced and defeated local Hindu hill rajas.
Conflict with Mughals erupted in 1705 when Aurangzeb ordered his expulsion from Anandpur.
Despite safe conduct assurances, he was attacked, and his two sons were captured and executed.
While some question the conflict's religious nature, the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and persecution under Aurangzeb led to Sikh militarization.

SPOTLIGHT

Miscellaneous

Ancient indian history

Art and culture

Geography studento

Medieval indian history

Modern indian history

Spiritual mysticism

World history