GURU TEGH BAHADUR : A SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY MAN SINGH DEORA
Introduction Sikhi sm occupies a pre-eminent position among the re Ligion~ of Ihe world and is known for its identity , simplicity, fraternity and liberal character. Spirit of self·sa riliee and martyrdom are the main archs of Sikhism which have inspired its adherents since centuric Self- acriO e nnd martyrdom had no t only been instrumental in blossoming the Sikh faith , but also served as an anchOl'-sheel for Hinduism against the onslaught of 01her forces. Tbe exemplary tradition of elf-sacrifice was set by Ihe fifth Sikh Guru - Guru Arjun De,' (1606) by sitting in hoi cauldrons and hot sand poured over his head. This initialed a ser[es of martyrdoms of the Sikhs. Prominent among th em were Ihe martyrdoms of Bhai Mali Das (1675) who was sawn asunder alh'e; Bba.i Dayal Dlls, who "'''' thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil; Bhai Sali Das whose bod)' was burnl to ashes; Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh bricked alive at Sirhind ; Bhai Taru whose skull was scrapped ofT because he would nol allow shaving of his bead; and lbe supreme sacrifice or Guru Tegh Bal,adur for upholding the cause .of religious freed om of others and prolection of those of Ihe Hindu symbols in which be had no personal belief. The martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who, according to Sikh chroniclers, ruminated over the sad plighl of th' Kashmiri Brahmins and decided 10 give his own sacrince for Ibe sake of upholding Dharma and infusi ng new failh and hope in Ihe hearts of men, is unique in the annals of wo rld history. Numerous s ludies on Guru Tegh Bahadur have been conducled and the source-malerial is avai lable in various forms in different lan!,'uages . Imporlant of them are Bhatt Vahi of Tomar-Bijlilon; Bhatt Vahi Talaoda , Bhatt Vahi Poorbi Dakhni; Timur Shah Abdali', lIakikal-i-Billa-wa Vurj-i-Firkah-i-Sikhall , Muntakhabul-Lubab or Khan Khan ; Ghulam Hussain's iyar-ul-Mulakhorian (Translated by Raymond and Briggs in English); Padshah Bur£1llji, an Assames. account of Aurangzeb's regime (Translated by S. K. Bhuyan) and Guru Gobind Singh's own account of Ihose days in BachitLar Nalak. Besides these, the source-malerial of Sikh chron iclers Uke Bakht Mal's Twarikh -i-Sikhan; Bbansu , Ratlan Singh's Pan til Parkash; Panth Parkash of Giani Gyan Singh; Kesar Singh Chhiber's Ban· sau/inama; S ikhan-di-Bhagatmal of Mani Singb; Sanlokh Singh's