Final answer:
Bhai Mani Singh applied for permission to hold the Diwali festival in Amritsar in 1738 A.D. The Sikhs faced persecution from the Mughal Empire, which led to heightened resistance following the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bhai Mani Singh applied to the Governor of Lahore for permission to hold the Diwali festival in the temple of Amritsar in the year 1738 A.D. This period was marked by tension and conflicts between the Sikh community and the Mughal rulers.
The Sikhs, led by figures like Bhai Mani Singh, sought to assert their right to practice their faith and hold their festivals despite the oppressive measures of the Mughal Empire. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had previously clashed with the Sikhs, and his policies led to the persecution of the community.
The execution of the Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur by Aurangzeb further galvanized the Sikhs to resist Mughal authority. The correct option is a.