AI Generated Summary
- His spiritual and martial vision paved the way for the eventual creation of the Khalsa in 1699, shaping the Sikh identity for centuries to come.
- As the faithful bowed their heads at Baba Bakala this year, the echoes of that historic moment in 1664 served as a reminder.
- The occasion commemorates August 1664, when Guru Teg Bahadur was formally recognized as the ninth Sikh Guru—a moment that ended weeks of confusion and restored unity to the Sikh community.
The small town of Baba Bakala once again became a sea of devotion as thousands of Sikhs gathered to mark Rakhar Punia, a day etched deeply into Punjab’s religious history.
The occasion commemorates August 1664, when Guru Teg Bahadur was formally recognized as the ninth Sikh Guru—a moment that ended weeks of confusion and restored unity to the Sikh community.
Following the death of Guru Har Krishan, no successor had been publicly named. In the uncertainty that followed, 22 individuals stepped forward in Baba Bakala, each claiming the Guruship. Wealth, influence, and local alliances fueled their bids, creating tension among the faithful.
It was in this climate that Makhan Shah Lubana, a wealthy trader and devout Sikh, famously identified Guru Teg Bahadur as the “Sacha Guru” (True Guru). His declaration quelled the competing claims and brought the Panth together under rightful leadership.
“This decision did more than resolve a dispute—it preserved the integrity of the Sikh Panth,” explained historian Jagdeep Singh. “It was a turning point that safeguarded the community’s unity during a fragile period.”
Daya Singh, a lecturer at the Bhai Gurdas Gurmat Institute, noted that Rakhar Punia carries a message that resonates to this day. “For Sikhs, it’s not just about remembering the past,” he said. “It’s about reaffirming a model of leadership rooted in truth, courage, and service.”
Under Guru Teg Bahadur’s guidance, the Sikh faith would later take a decisive role in resisting Mughal oppression. His spiritual and martial vision paved the way for the eventual creation of the Khalsa in 1699, shaping the Sikh identity for centuries to come.
As the faithful bowed their heads at Baba Bakala this year, the echoes of that historic moment in 1664 served as a reminder: unity, once reclaimed, can become a force strong enough to change the course of history.
