Artist: Tarveen Kaur
Title: Dhirmal Dispute
Medium: Watercolor on cold press paper
Commissioner: United States
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s anointment as the successor to Guru Harkrishan was met with great aggression by his nephew Dhirmal; who wanted the title of Guru for himself. Dhirmal sent upwards of 100 armed men to storm the unguarded house of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Baba Bakala. The group was led by a masand named Sheeha, and it was he who shot his matchlock rifle at the Guru, grazing the Guru’s forehead. Mata Nanaki protected Guru Tegh Bahadur from further attacks and chastised the group with her fierce and piercing words.