Remembering the Young Martyrs: How the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom was observed in India and abroad

The martyrdom of the Sahibzadas-Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji-stands as one of the most heart-rending yet inspiring episodes in world history. In December 1705, the two children, aged just nine and seven, were executed at Sirhind for refusing to abandon their faith. Their sacrifice, along with the earlier martyrdom of the elder Sahibzadas, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh, has come to symbolise unshakeable faith, moral courage and resistance against tyranny. In India and across the global Sikh diaspora, the remembrance of this supreme sacrifice is observed with deep solemnity, reflection and collective resolve.
In recent years, the observance has acquired renewed national and global visibility through Veer Bal Diwas, commemorated annually on December 26, marking a moment of shared remembrance beyond the Sikh community. In 2025, the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas was remembered with particular intensity in India and abroad, blending traditional Sikh religious practices with broader civic and educational engagement.
India: Sacred Remembrance Rooted in History
In India, the observance of the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom is deeply intertwined with sacred geography and collective memory. Key historical sites associated with the events of 1705-06 became centres of prayer and reflection. At Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab, where Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh were martyred, thousands of devotees gathered for *shaheedi samagams*, Akhand Paaths and kirtan darbars. The atmosphere was solemn rather than celebratory, with hymns and discourses focusing on sacrifice, steadfastness and faith in the face of cruelty.
Gurdwaras across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Bihar organised special religious congregations, during which the life stories of the Sahibzadas were narrated in detail. Katha and Gurbani recitations emphasised not just the tragedy of their deaths, but the moral clarity and spiritual courage displayed by the young martyrs. Langars were organised as acts of seva, reinforcing the Sikh belief that remembrance must be accompanied by service.
Veer Bal Diwas: National Recognition of Courage
The observance of Veer Bal Diwas on December 26 has added a national dimension to the remembrance of the Sahibzadas. In 2025, schools, cultural institutions and government bodies across India marked the day through commemorative programmes, exhibitions and educational events. Special assemblies were held in schools, where students learned about the Sahibzadas as symbols of fearlessness, moral strength and youthful heroism.
National and state-level events highlighted the relevance of the Sahibzadas’ sacrifice in contemporary society, particularly in the context of standing up for truth and conscience. Speeches and cultural presentations portrayed the Sahibzadas not merely as historical figures, but as role models whose lives challenge modern notions of courage and resilience. Veer Bal Diwas thus functioned as a bridge-bringing a deeply Sikh historical memory into the broader national narrative of sacrifice and ethical courage.
As part of the national observance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tribute to the Sahibzadas on Veer Bal Diwas, underscoring the profound moral and historical significance of their sacrifice. Speaking at the national programme in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Modi described Veer Bal Diwas as “a day of reverence, dedicated to remembering the sacrifice of the brave Sahibzades,” and highlighted how their courage, conviction and steadfast adherence to righteousness continue to inspire generations across India. He recalled the unshakeable faith of Mata Gujri Ji and the immortal teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and called on the youth to draw strength from the Sahibzadas’ indomitable spirit as they pursue their dreams and responsibilities for the nation’s future. Modi observed that the legacy of their bravery not only reflects the Sikh tradition of sacrifice but also embodies values of courage and moral clarity that are vital for all Indians today, affirming that such examples will continue to motivate people for generations to come.
Spiritual Observances and Community Participation
Across India, the martyrdom observances were marked by a distinctive spiritual tone. Unlike festive gurpurabs, these days were characterised by quiet devotion, contemplation and humility. Many gurdwaras observed early-morning prayers, followed by kirtans that dwelt on themes of *chardi kala*-the Sikh principle of remaining spiritually elevated even in suffering. Gatka displays, where organised, were restrained and symbolic, underscoring discipline and readiness rather than spectacle.
Community participation extended beyond religious spaces. Sikh organisations arranged blood donation camps, charity drives and free medical camps in memory of the Sahibzadas, translating remembrance into social responsibility. These acts reflected the Sikh understanding that martyrdom is honoured not by mourning alone, but by living according to the values for which the martyrs stood.
Canada: Diaspora Remembrance and Youth Engagement
In Canada, the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas was observed with deep emotional resonance, particularly among Sikh youth. Gurdwaras in Ontario and British Columbia held special shaheedi samagams, where kirtan and katha focused on the historical events at Sirhind and the spiritual maturity displayed by the young Sahibzadas. Educational sessions were organised in Punjabi schools and Sikh study circles, ensuring that younger generations born abroad remained connected to this foundational episode of Sikh history.
Veer Bal Diwas was also acknowledged through community-led initiatives, including seminars, storytelling sessions and youth-centric discussions on courage, identity and ethical decision-making. In some cities, Sikh organisations collaborated with local institutions to present the story of the Sahibzadas as a universal lesson in standing firm against injustice, irrespective of age or circumstance.
United States: Faith, Memory and Interfaith Awareness
Across the United States, Sikh communities marked the martyrdom with religious solemnity and outreach. Gurdwaras in New York, New Jersey, California and Texas organised Akhand Paaths and special kirtan programmes dedicated to the Sahibzadas. Religious leaders used the occasion to explain the historical context of Mughal persecution and the Guru’s uncompromising stand for religious freedom.
Veer Bal Diwas observances in the U.S. often included interfaith components, with Sikh organisations inviting educators, students and civic representatives to learn about the Sahibzadas’ sacrifice. Youth groups played a central role, using presentations, dramatizations and discussions to communicate the message of fearless integrity to wider audiences.
Australia and Other Global Communities
In Australia, where Sikh communities continue to grow, the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas was observed with reverence and educational focus. Gurdwaras in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide held prayer services and katha sessions, while community leaders emphasised the relevance of the Sahibzadas’ sacrifice in nurturing moral strength among children and youth in modern societies.
Similar observances took place in the United Kingdom, Europe and Southeast Asia, where Sikh diaspora communities used the occasion to reaffirm collective identity and pass on historical memory through oral narration, devotional music and community service.