NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Consulate General of India on Thursday, December 26, paid rich tributes to the younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh—Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh—who were bricked alive on the orders of the Mughal governor of Sirhind for refusing to renounce their faith and convert to Islam. The solemn commemoration was held as part of Veer Bal Divas, a day declared by the Government of India to honor the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and moral fortitude of the Sahibzadas.
Continuing its tradition of commemorating the supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas through art and culture, the Consulate General of India once again organized a photo exhibition depicting the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh as part of the Veer Bal Divas observances this year.
The exhibition showcased a poignant collection of paintings portraying the courage, steadfast faith, and ultimate sacrifice of the younger Sahibzadas—Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh—who were bricked alive at Sirhind for refusing to convert to Islam. The artworks, rendered in diverse styles, vividly captured the historical tragedy as well as the timeless values of bravery, sacrifice, and resistance to oppression.
The exhibition drew a steady stream of visitors from the Indian diaspora and the wider community. Among the prominent visitors was the Gatka team led by Sardar Daler Singh, whose presence underscored the living martial and spiritual traditions inspired by Sikh history. Members of the Gatka team spent considerable time viewing the artworks and interacting with organizers, appreciating the role of visual art in educating younger generations about the legacy of the Sahibzadas.
Consulate officials noted that exhibitions such as these serve as a powerful medium to connect history with contemporary audiences, especially youth born and raised overseas. “Through paintings, history speaks directly to the heart,” an official observed, adding that the annual exhibition has become an integral part of the Consulate’s Veer Bal Divas programming.
Visitors described the exhibition as moving and educative, praising the Consulate’s effort to blend remembrance with cultural outreach. The exhibition reinforced the message that the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas remains a universal symbol of moral courage, religious freedom, and the triumph of conscience over coercion.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan recalled the defining moment in Sikh history when the two young sons of Guru Gobind Singh chose death over submission, standing firm in their beliefs despite severe coercion. “Their martyrdom is not merely a Sikh legacy; it is a universal testament to courage, conscience, and the inviolable right to faith,” he said, adding that Veer Bal Divas is observed to inspire younger generations to uphold ethical values and moral courage in the face of injustice.
Consul, Community Affairs, Tsewang Gyaltson welcomed the visitors to the photo exhibition and answered their questions about the photo exhibits.
Addressing the gathering, a former President of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lobana in New York, Sardar Daler Singh movingly narrated the inspiring story of the Sahibzadas, highlighting their exceptional courage, unwavering faith, and fearless defiance of oppression despite their tender age. He said the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh remains one of the most powerful examples of moral strength and spiritual resilience in world history, and continues to inspire generations of Sikhs to stand by truth and righteousness.
A particularly heartening aspect of the event was the enthusiastic participation of young boys and girls who had accompanied Sardar Daler Singh. Several of them engaged in thoughtful interaction with Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja, Chief Editor of The Indian Panorama, sharing their understanding of the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas and reflecting on the lessons of bravery, sacrifice, and faith they had drawn from the exhibition and the narrations.
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