Punjab Newsline, Punjab :
Event organized on the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary highlighted Sikh scribal traditions, Guru Sahib’s travels, teachings, and the spiritual depth of his supreme sacrifice
A special invited lecture was organized at the Central University of Punjab to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The lecture, titled “Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom: An Exercise in Writing History,” was delivered by renowned Sikh scholar Prof. Gurinder Singh Mann, retired from the University of California, Santa Barbara (USA). The event was held under the patronage of Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra Prasad Tiwari and witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members, researchers, and students of various departments.
The program began with a welcome address by Prof. Ramandeep Kaur from the Department of Punjabi. She emphasized the importance of organizing academic events that enrich historical understanding and cultural knowledge. Following this, Dr. Rubal Kanojia from the Department of Mass Communication and Media Studies introduced the keynote speaker and highlighted his extensive contributions to Sikh historical scholarship.
In his lecture, Prof. Gurinder Singh Mann presented a deeply researched and historically grounded perspective on the life, teachings, and martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Drawing upon early Sikh manuscripts, historical records, and the traditional Sikh scribal (taksal) lineage, he explained that the foundation of Sikh spiritual learning rests on the pursuit of truth, disciplined study, and character formation.
Prof. Mann elaborated on key events of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s life, including his widespread travels, his compositions, and the profound influence of his philosophy on Sikh society. He emphasized that Guru Sahib’s message promotes justice, compassion, fearlessness, and the protection of the oppressed.
Discussing early artistic depictions, dates, names, and historical records associated with Guru Sahib, Prof. Mann explained how descriptions and interpretations evolved over time. He noted that Sikh historical memory is layered, shaped by writers and scholars across different eras.
He further clarified that early Sikh texts describe Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom not merely as a historical occurrence but as a supreme ethical and spiritual ideal—an act performed for the protection of religious freedom, freedom of conscience, and social harmony. According to him, Guru Sahib’s sacrifice has played a decisive role in shaping the broader spiritual and cultural history of India.
In his presidential remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra Prasad Tiwari expressed gratitude to Prof. Mann for his insightful lecture. He said that the life and martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji will always inspire society to uphold the values of justice, courage, compassion, and the protection of the weak. He added that such academic programs strengthen the understanding of Sikh history and enrich the ethical and cultural consciousness of society.
The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Bawa Singh from the Department of South and Central Asian Studies. He thanked the keynote speaker, dignitaries, faculty members, and students for their enthusiastic participation.