Friday, 20 May 2022

2353) Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, India: India's first Rs. 400/- (Rupees Four Hundred) Quaternary Silver Collector Coin (50% Silver) from the India Government Mint, Mumbai, commemorates His 400th Birth Anniversary: (1621-1675):

2353) Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, India: India's first Rs. 400/- (Rupees Four Hundred) Quaternary Silver Collector Coin (50% Silver) from the India Government Mint, Mumbai, commemorates His 400th Birth Anniversary: (1621-1675):

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On 18.05.2022, I have booked India's first Rs. 400/- (Rupees Four Hundred) Quaternary Silver Coin (50% Silver and three other metals) from the India Government Mint, Mumbai, which commemorates the 400th Birth Anniversary of SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI  (1621-1675) who was the ninth Sikh Guru. 

Guruji was the grandson of first Sikh martyr Guru Arjan Devji and son of Guru Hargobind Ji (Sixth Guru and founder of Sri Akal Takht and grandfather of Guru Gobind Singh Ji). 

Considered as a principled and fearless warrior, Guru ji was a learned spiritual scholar and a poet whose 116 hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the main text of Sikhism. 

Guru Harikrishan ji bestowed Guru Gaddi upon Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. 

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was brought up in Sikh culture and trained in archery and horsemanship. 

Guru ji was also taught the classic spiritual texts like Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas. and proficiency of Indian classic musicology. 

Guru ji preferred prolonged spells of seclusion and contemplation. 

Guru Ji's valour shown in a battle against Mughals, gave him the name as Tegh Bahadur ("Mighty of the Sword").

In 1664 Guru ji was declared as the ninth Guru of Sikhs. 

He travelled extensively across India and founded the city of Anandpur Sahib in the foothills of Himalayas. Guru Ji made extensive travels in Shivalik Hills, South Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

Guru Ji was martyred in November 1675 in Delhi by the Order of Aurangzeb, for taking up the cause of religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits.

 He was kept in jail for four months in Sarhind and then transferred to Delhi in November 1675. 

Guru Ji was asked to perform miracle to prove his nearness to the God. 

Guru Ji questioned the idea, stating that "occult powers were not a proof of one's proximity to the God".

 After his refusal to demonstrate a miracle, Guru ji was asked to convert to Islam but Guruji refused. 

Three of his associates who were arrested along with him were put to death/martyred in front of him. 

Then after his refusal to convert to Islam, Guru Ji was beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. 

Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi are two historical sites significantly associated with the sacred memory and supreme sacrifice of Guru Ji

The sacred compositions of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji are a great reflection on the idea of devotion and purpose of human life. 

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was the only Sikh Guru who composed his Bani in Raga Jayjawanti. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is remembered as a Guru who stood for religious freedom and solidarity of the country. 

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji thus earned the affectionate title of “Hind – di Chadar” or “the Shield of India”. Guru Ji would always be remembered for his bravery and concern for social harmony.

The Commemorative Rs.400/- Quaternary Silver Coin:

The Obverse and Reverse of the Rs.400/- Quaternary Silver Coin issued by IGM Mumbai


The Reverse of the Rs.400/- Commemorative Coin is titled " Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Ka 400 Varshiya Prakash Guruparv" (in Hindi and Gur Mukhi/Punjabi) and "400th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI" (in English on the lower periphery).

The image is of "Gurudwara Guru Ka Mahal, Amritsar" in the centre.

Two swords encompass the image of the Gurudwara, symbolising its sacredness. The years 1621-2021 in international numerals are inscribed below the image of the gurudwara Guru Ka Mahal, Amritsar.


On the Obverse of the Rs.400/- Commemorative Coin is engraved the Lion Capitol of Samrat Ashok, (Emperor) of Ancient India in the Centre with the legend "Satyamev Jayate" ("Truth Always Prevails"). On the left periphery is the name of the issuing country "BHARAT" (in Devnagri/Hindi) and on the right periphery is inscribed "INDIA" (in English).

The denominational value "400" (in international numerals is preceded by the Rupee Symbol “₹”. 

The specifications of this Coin are:

Shape: Circular; Diameter: 44.00 mm; No. of Serrations: 200; Weight: 35.00 grams; Metal Composition: Quaternary Alloy: Silver - 50%, Copper - 40%, Nickel - 05%, Zinc - 5 %.

(A post on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji  is under preparation on the Commemorative Stamp issued by India Post on His 400th Birth Anniversary)

6 comments:

  1. Santosh Khanna has commented:
    "Thanks for sharing this informative post."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, fir visiting this post, Khanna sahab.

      Delete
  2. Rsanker Sharma has commented:
    "Great post."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ram Lalingkar has commented:
    "Great post !"

    ReplyDelete