The ninth Sikh guru, Tegh Bahadur

Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675) was the son of Hargobind Singh (see painting at left), under whose leadership the first Sikh warriors were trained. By the time Tegh Bahadur became the ninth guru, many Sikhs and other non-Muslims were being persecuted under the policies of the orthodox Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (reigned 1658-1707). Tegh Bahadur, ignoring a summons from the emperor, was arrested and taken to the imperial capital of Delhi, where he was executed. His death would change the course of the Sikh community, as it inspired his successor to establish the Khalsa (meaning "pure"), a community of Sikhs whose solidarity was demonstrated through their participation in certain ceremonies and the adoption of such attributes as uncut hair. These Sikhs were organized into a formidable military force that eventually succeeded in fending off Mughal domination.

Although Sikh and Mughal political relations were turbulent, Mughal culture had a decisive impact on Sikh artistic traditions. This painting is Mughal in both its style and in its profile presentation of Tegh Bahadur, posed with his sporting falcon in the manner of a Mughal prince.