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{{short description|Martyrdom in Sikhism}}
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[[Martyr]]dom is a fundamental institution of [[Sikhism]]. [[Sikh festivals]] are largely focused on the lives of the [[Sikh gurus]] and Sikh martyrs. Their martyrdoms are regarded as instructional ideals for Sikhs, and have greatly influenced Sikh culture and practices. Qazi Rukundin is generally regarded as the first Sikh martyr.{{Cn|date=May 2023|reason=Please cite a source that lists Qazi Ruknuddin as the "first Sikh martyr".}}

The term ''[[Shahid#Sikhism|shahidi]]'' has been used by Sikhs since the 19th century to describe the act of martyrdom. A martyr is called a ''shahid'' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਸ਼ਹੀਦ).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nesbitt|first=Eleanor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ai-rpcY-rrgC&q=sikh+martyrdom|title=Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction|date=2005-09-22|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-157806-9|language=en}}</ref>

==Martyrdom==
[[File:Guru Arjan.jpg|thumb|238x238px|[[Guru Arjan]] was the first of two Gurus martyred in the Sikh faith]]
Martyrdom is a fundamental institution of the Sikh faith. When one calls an individual a ''[[Shahid#Sikhism|shahid]]'', this connotes more than its definition in Arabic vocabulary or Islamic faith, which is death in battle with the infidels. For the Sikh, the perfect martyr or ''shahid'' is one who died not just in battle but also one who suffered death by refusing to renounce his faith, tenets and principles.<ref>Kohli, p. 54.</ref> The Sikh experience through the years gave rise to this type of ideal martyrdom.

Qazi Rukunudin (alternatively spelt as Qazi Ruknuddin)<ref>Makka Madinah di Ghosht</ref> was the first Sikh martyr <ref>Translation of Sahayto Baba Nanak by Syed Prithipal Singh and Research Paper by Historian Simar Singh</ref> at the time of Guru Nanak. Qazi Rukunudin <ref>Sahayto Baba Nanak by Tajuddin Naqashbandi , translated by Syed Prithipal Singh</ref> became a Sikh,<ref>1. Ehalla, Sarup Das, Mahima Prakash. Patiala, 1971
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35
3. Gian Singh. Giani, Twarikh Guru Khalsa [Reprint]. Patiala, 1970
4. Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909</ref> when Guru Nanak visited Arabia during his fourth ''Udasi''. Later, Amir-e-Makkah asked him to leave Sikhism but Qazi refused to disown his faith, then 7 orders <ref>Twarikh E Arab by Khawaja zain ul abdeen, chapter Bab Ul Mecca</ref> were issued against him mentioning different types of tortures and method of killing him. Qazi Rukunudin was martyred around 1510-11.

Bhai Taru Popat was the second Sikh martyr at the time of [[Guru Nanak Dev]] (1469-1539). Bhai spoke against [[Babur]], the [[Mughal emperors|Mughal emperor]] and he was set on fire by soldiers of Babur.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Singh|first=Kharak|year=1997|title=Martyrdom in Sikhism|journal=Sikhism, Its Philosophy & History|publisher=Institute of Sikh Studies|location=Chandigarh|page=18}}</ref> Bhai Taru Popat was Martyred in the year 1526. The martyrdom of [[Guru Arjan]] in the 17th century is regarded as a key moment in Sikh tradition which has influenced Sikh practices and beliefs,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Fenech|first=Louis E.|year=2001|title=Martyrdom and the Execution of Guru Arjan in Early Sikh Sources|journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society|volume=121|issue=1|pages=20–31|doi=10.2307/606726|jstor=606726}}</ref> helping define a deliberately-separate and militant Sikh community.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Pashuara|last2=Fenech|first2=Louis E.|title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780199699308|page=236|chapter=The Miri-Piri Doctrine and the Khalsa|date=March 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Trilok singh artist GTB wiki.jpg|thumb|Painting of [[Trilok Singh Chitarkar|Trilok Singh]] of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur]]
The later martyrdom of [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]], who refused to convert to [[Islam]] in an effort to protect [[Hindu]] religious practice, is credited with making respect for freedom of conscience a key part of Sikh identity. The emperor tried to convert Guru Teg Bahadur to Islam hoping that it would be easier to convert his followers if he relented. The guru was executed because he refused. Experts stated that these events galvanized the concept of Sikh martyrdom in the sense that Guru Arjan's death brought the Sikh [[Panth]] together while Guru Teg Bahadur's execution finally gave Sikh martyrdom its identity.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies|last1=Singh|first1=Pasaura|last2=Fenech|first2=Louis|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2014|isbn=9780199699308|location=Oxford|pages=237}}</ref> Guru Teg Bahadur's death provided the impetus for his son, the tenth [[Guru Gobind Singh]], to impose an outward form of Sikh identity as well as pride in his father's martyrdom.<ref>Singh & Fenech, p. 237.</ref> To avoid fear and demoralization, he instituted a new Sikh order called [[Khalsa]], founded on discipline and loyalty, and martyrdom became one of its foundations. Succeeding Gurus built on this new orientation, establishing a strong, self-governing warrior group.

==Prominent Sikh martyrs==
[[File:Guru Nanak conversing with Qazi Ruknuddin, painting from an 1830's Janamsakhi (life stories) 01.jpg|thumb|Guru Nanak (wearing yellow) conversing with Qazi Ruknuddin (wearing green), painting from an 1830's [[Janamsakhis|Janamsakhi]] (life stories). Qazi Ruknuddin is believed to be the first Sikh martyr.]]
[[File:Fresco of Shaheed Singhs from Gurdwara Baba Atal 01.jpg|thumb|Fresco of [[Shaheed]] Singhs from [[Gurdwara Baba Atal]]]]
[[File:Fresco of Shaheed Singhs from Gurdwara Baba Atal 02.jpg|thumb|Fresco of [[Shaheed]] Singhs from [[Gurdwara Baba Atal]]]]
* [[Panj Pyare]],
* [[Guru Arjan Dev]], the 5th guru of Sikhism.
* [[Guru Teg Bahadur]], the 9th guru of Sikhism.
* [[Bhai Dayala]] is one of the Sikhs who was martyred at Chandni Chowk at Delhi in November 1675 on account of his refusal to accept Islam.
* [[Bhai Mati Das]] is one of the greatest martyrs in Sikh history, martyred at Chandni Chowk at Delhi in November 1675 to save [[Kashmiri Hindus]].
* [[Bhai Sati Das]] is one of the greatest martyrs in Sikh history, martyred along with [[Guru Teg Bahadur]] at Chandni Chowk at Delhi in November 1675 to save [[Kashmiri Hindus]].
* [[Sahibzada Ajit Singh]], the eldest of [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s four sons.
* [[Sahibzada Jujhar Singh]], the second son of [[Guru Gobind Singh]].
* [[Sahibzada Zorawar Singh]] was the third of [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s four sons.[[File:Painting_of_Mata_Gujri,_Sahibzada_Zorawar_Singh,_and_Sahibzada_Fateh_Singh,_after_the_Anandpur_battle,_reach_Sirhind,_where_the_princes,_Zorawar_Singh_and_Fateh_Singh,_were_executed_by_immurement,_circa_19th_century.jpg|thumb|Painting of [[Mata Gujri]], Sahibzada [[Zorawar Singh (Sikhism)|Zorawar Singh]], and Sahibzada [[Fateh Singh (Sikhism)|Fateh Singh]], after the Anandpur battle, reach Sirhind, where the princes, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, were executed by immurement, circa 19th century]]
* [[Sahibzada Fateh Singh]] was the youngest of [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s four sons.
* [[Moti Ram Mehra|Baba Moti Ram Mehra]]
* [[Chali Mukte]]
* Ajay Singh was the son of Banda Singh Bahadur. He was the youngest martyr in the world at the age of 4.
* [[Banda Singh Bahadur]] was the Sikh Military Commander Appointed By Guru Gobind Singh.
* [[Baba Deep Singh]] was avenging the desecration of the Golden Temple by the Afghan army. In 1757, he led an army to defend the Golden Temple.
* [[Bhai Mani Singh]]
* [[Mahi Singh|Bhai Mahi Singh]]
* [[Bhai Taru Singh]]
* [[Baba Gurbaksh Singh]]
* Bhai Garja Singh
* Bhai Bota Singh
* Bhai Subegh Singh
* Bhai Gurbaj Singh
* [[Akali Phoola Singh]]
* [[Hari Singh Nalwa]]
* Baba Bir Singh refused to attack the Sikhs attacking him and was martyred by a shell while meditating over the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]<ref name=Bir>{{cite web |url=http://www.learnpunjabi.org/eos/index.aspx |title=Bir Singh Baba (1768-1844) |last1=Khurana |first1=J. S. |website=Encyclopaedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University Patiala |accessdate=4 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] was declared a martyr by the [[Akal Takht]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/06sikh.htm |title=Akal Takht declares Bhindranwale 'martyr' - Rediff.com India News |last=Or |first=Framing |orig-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-11-18 }}</ref>
* [[Harjinder Singh Jinda]] was declared a national martyr by the Akal Takht.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/blogs/india/brijesh-kalappa/the-khalistan-episode-cuts-both-ways-requires-healing-and-reconciliation-14290-747279.html |title=The Khalistan episode cuts both ways, requires healing and reconciliation - Brijesh Kalappa' Blog |last=Das |first=Celebsopinionvir |date=12 October 2012 |orig-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-11-18 }}</ref>
* [[Sukhdev Singh Sukha]] was declared a national martyr by the Akal Takht.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/blogs/india/brijesh-kalappa/the-khalistan-episode-cuts-both-ways-requires-healing-and-reconciliation-14290-747279.html |title=The Khalistan episode cuts both ways, requires healing and reconciliation - Brijesh Kalappa' Blog |last=Das |first=Celebsopinionvir |date=12 October 2012 |orig-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-11-18 }}</ref>
* [[Satwant Singh]] assassin of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was declared a martyr by the Akal Takht.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010762501200.htm |title=The Hindu : National : Indira Gandhi killers labelled martyrs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110102918/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010762501200.htm |orig-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-11-18 |archive-date=2008-01-10 }}</ref>
* [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]] assassin of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was declared a martyr by the Akal Takht.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010762501200.htm |title=The Hindu : National : Indira Gandhi killers labelled martyrs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110102918/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010762501200.htm |orig-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=2021-11-18 |archive-date=2008-01-10 }}</ref>
* [[Jaswant Singh Khalra]] prominent Sikh Human Rights Activist famous for his research concerning more than 25000 killings in the Punjab.
* And many more who died in ''[[Vadda Ghalughara|Wadda ghallughara]]'' and ''[[Chhota Ghallughara|Chotta gallughara]].''

==See also==

* [[Joti Jot]]
* [[Shaheed Shrine]]
* [[Kharku]]

==References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martyrdom In Sikhism}}
[[Category:Sikh martyrs]]

Martyrdom in Sikhism - Revision history

HarmanBajwa: Created page with ''''Martyrdom in Sikhism'''' is a fundamental concept, and represents an important institution of the faith. The first landmark in this field is the sacrifice by…'