RAS question
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was executed by which Mughal Emperor?
Correct answer: (A) Aurangzeb.
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was executed on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Explanation
Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675) was the ninth Sikh Guru. In 1675, he was beheaded in Delhi on Aurangzeb's orders after refusing to convert to Islam and defending the religious rights of Kashmiri Hindus. The Press Information Bureau release from the Ministry of Culture describes him as the ninth Sikh Guru and ‘Hind di Chaddar’, and recalls his martyrdom for supporting the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits. This places his martyrdom in Aurangzeb's reign; Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Bahadur Shah I belong to different points in the relevant chronology.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Jahangir is the emperor associated with the execution of Guru Arjan Dev, not Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- (C) Bahadur Shah I succeeded Aurangzeb, so he could not have ordered Guru Tegh Bahadur's execution in 1675.
- (D) Shah Jahan died in 1666, whereas Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed in 1675.
Concept
This question tests the chronology of Sikh Gurus and Mughal emperors in medieval Indian history. Such questions in RAS require candidates to distinguish which emperor is associated with each Guru and major martyrdom event.