Guru Tegh Bahadur, prophet and martyr, is revered as the Ninth Guru or Revealer of the Sikh faith. His life and message have simultaneously developed a wide universal meaning. It is a historical fact that he made the supreme sacrifice to uphold human dignity and freedom. Like his martyrdom, his personality is unique in the history of mankind. His life was a model of humility and sanctity. He uttered poetry of eternal truth and beauty. His virtuous soul had a core of granite resolution. At a critical moment in our history, he became the voice of the suffering humanity.

The martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur was an event, which changed the course of history in northern India. It was only befitting that such a momentous happening should be made part of the national memory of Indian people. One opportunity came in 1975, when the third centenary of the Guru's martyrdom was observed. A number of books were called forth by the event. A very substantive addition was Professor Harbans Singh's book. By his keen historical conscience and elegance of style of writing, Professor Singh has emerged as by far the most significant writer on the history and culture of the Sikh people. Among his other books, his biographies of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh are acknowledged as works of high literary excellence.