Tegh Bahadur

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Indian religious leader, ninth guru (teacher) of Sikhism 1664–75, executed for refusing to renounce his faith.

Tegh Bahadurtook over the struggle to maintain the Sikh faith in the face of extreme opposition from the Mogul emperor Aurangzeb, a fanatical Muslim. With Sikhs and Hindus oppressed and prevented from following their religion, Tegh Bahadur let it be known that if he were to convert to Islam, the Hindus and Sikhs would willingly follow. He was arrested with four close disciples. However, despite being tortured, they would not convert and were eventually killed. His followers were ordered not to touch his body, but they risked their own death so that the guru could be cremated according to custom. Two gurdwaras (Sikh temples) now mark the place of his death.

His son, Gobind Singh, became the tenth guru.

The bird of paradise represents liberty. The Southern Cross recalls the country's links with Australia. Effective date: 16 September 1975. >>