In Sikh religious history, who succeeded Guru Har Krishan as the next Sikh Guru?

Introduction / Context:
The Sikh Gurus form a continuous line of spiritual leaders whose succession is an important part of Sikh religious history. Knowing the correct order of the ten Gurus helps learners understand how Sikhism evolved over time. Guru Har Krishan was the eighth Sikh Guru, and the question asks about the Guru who came after him and became the ninth Guru of the Sikhs.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Guru Har Krishan is recognised as the eighth Guru in the Sikh tradition.
• The question is asking specifically for his immediate successor.
• The options list several Gurus from different points in the succession: Guru Angad Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Hargobind, Guru Amar Das and Guru Gobind Singh.
• We must pick the name that historically follows Guru Har Krishan in the line of Gurus.

Concept / Approach:
The correct order of Sikh Gurus near this period is: Guru Hargobind (6th), Guru Har Rai (7th), Guru Har Krishan (8th), Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th) and Guru Gobind Singh (10th). By remembering this sequence, we can identify Guru Tegh Bahadur as the immediate successor of Guru Har Krishan. This method of recalling the numbered order avoids confusion between earlier and later Gurus listed in the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Basic reference books on Sikhism and many school textbooks list the ten Gurus in order and clearly identify Guru Tegh Bahadur as the ninth Guru who succeeded Guru Har Krishan. He is especially remembered for his martyrdom while defending religious freedom. This strong and consistent historical record confirms that Guru Tegh Bahadur is the correct successor.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Guru Angad Dev: The second Guru of the Sikhs, much earlier in the line, not the successor of Guru Har Krishan.
• Guru Hargobind: The sixth Guru, known for militarising the Sikh community, but not immediately after Har Krishan.
• Guru Amar Das: The third Guru, earlier in the sequence and not the ninth Guru.
• Guru Gobind Singh: The tenth Guru, who came after Guru Tegh Bahadur, not directly after Guru Har Krishan.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the positions of the middle Gurus, especially between the sixth and the tenth. Another common error is to choose Guru Gobind Singh for many questions because of his great fame. To avoid this, it is useful to memorise the Gurus in correct order with their key contributions and to remember that Guru Tegh Bahadur is the ninth Guru who followed Guru Har Krishan.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Guru Tegh Bahadur.