The Indian Panorama

Tag: Sahibzada Jujhar Singh

  • An Unparalleled Sacrifice in History

    On the Martyrdom of the Four Sons of Guru Gobind Singh

    By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja
    Prof. Indrajit S Saluja

    The history of the world bears testimony to countless acts of bravery and sacrifice, but few compare to the monumental story of Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs, and the ultimate sacrifice of his four young sons—Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. Their martyrdom is not only an integral part of Sikh history but a chapter of unparalleled valor and commitment to righteousness in human history.

    Guru Gobind Singh, the founder of the Khalsa in 1699, envisioned a faith rooted in equality, justice, and the fight against tyranny. Living in a time of severe oppression under Mughal rule, Guru Gobind Singh sought to instill courage and a sense of identity in his followers. The Khalsa, with its distinctive identity and unyielding commitment to justice, emerged as a force against injustice and a beacon of hope for the oppressed. The creation of the Khalsa marked a revolutionary moment in history, but it also drew the ire of tyrannical rulers who sought to crush this growing resistance.

    Guru Gobind Singh’s life was a saga of relentless battles and unwavering resolve. His personal sacrifices were profound—he became the only figure in history to offer his entire family, including his four sons, for the cause of righteousness. The heartbreaking story of his sons, who faced death with unparalleled bravery, stands as a testament to their faith, principles, and courage.

    The two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (18 years old) and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh (14 years old), embraced martyrdom during the Battle of Chamkaur in December 1704. Outnumbered by the Mughal forces, they stood firm alongside their father and other brave warriors. Despite the overwhelming odds, Sahibzada Ajit Singh led the Khalsa soldiers into battle with extraordinary valor. When he fell, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh took up the mantle, fearlessly plunging into the battlefield to uphold the honor of the Khalsa.

    Their sacrifices exemplified unwavering faith and the courage to stand against injustice, inspiring generations of Sikhs to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

    While Guru Gobind Singh and his elder sons faced battle, his two younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (9 years old) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (7 years old), were captured along with their grandmother, Mata Gujri, by Mughal forces. Imprisoned at the fort of Sirhind, they were subjected to immense psychological pressure to renounce their faith and convert to Islam. Despite their tender age, the young Sahibzadas displayed an unshakable commitment to their beliefs.

    On December 26, 1704, when they refused to abandon their Sikh faith, the tyrannical Mughal governor Wazir Khan ordered them to be bricked alive. This inhuman punishment shocked the conscience of all who heard of it. Even as the bricks enclosed them, the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh recited Sikh prayers and remained resolute in their faith, demonstrating courage far beyond their years. Their martyrdom stands as a poignant reminder of the ultimate price they paid for their principles.

    The martyrdom of the Sahibzadas is commemorated annually as Veer Bal Divas (The Brave Children’s Day) on December 26. This day serves as a moment of reflection and reverence for their bravery and the values they upheld. It is a day to remember not only their sacrifices but also the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh, who believed in unwavering commitment to righteousness: Shubh Karman te Kabahon na Taron (Never turn away from righteous deeds).

    Guru Gobind Singh’s life and the sacrifices of his family remind us of the cost of freedom and justice. They exemplify the highest ideals of humanity—courage, selflessness, and steadfastness in the face of tyranny.

    In an age where principles often waver under pressure, the story of Guru Gobind Singh and his sons serves as a beacon of inspiration. Their sacrifices remind us to stand firm in the face of injustice, to uphold the values of equality and freedom, and to remain committed to righteous causes, no matter the personal cost.

    As we remember the Sahibzadas on Veer Bal Divas, let us pledge to honor their legacy by embodying their values in our own lives. Their story is not just a part of Sikh history—it is a universal testament to the triumph of the human spirit against oppression, a chapter in history that will forever inspire generations to come.

  • Sirhind Martyrdom of Mata Gujri and Younger Sahibzade

    During the night flight from besieged Anandpur, 81-year-old mother of Tenth Guru Gobind Singh, Mata Gujri and her grandsons the two younger sahibzade, Zarowar Singh (Jujhar) age 9, and Fateh Singh age 6, struggled across the stormy floodwaters of River Sarsa together. The dark raging turbulence swept away people and possessions alike and many Sikhs did not survive the crossing. Mata Gujri and the young sahibzade became separated from the rest of their family. Wet, chilled, and exhausted, they accepted help from Brahmin Gangu, a former cook servant who had been discharged from Guru Gobind Singh’s household. Gangu led them to his village Saheri, not far from Morinda (present-day district Ropar) and gave them shelter in his home. While she and her grandsons slept, Gangu pilfered her belongings looking for valuables. He found and took a bag of coins Mata Gujri had carried with her. He buried them and then when she discovered the theft, to cover his actions he fabricated a story about thieves heard prowling about. Not believing the story, she confronted him asking him to return her money. Gangu became angry, protested his innocence and accused her of being ungrateful and then turned her out into the streets with her grandsons.
    Capture
    Hopeful for a reward, Gangu ran immediately to the local chaudhri official and told him that Guru Gobind Singh’s mother and her grandsons had just arrived at his home, seeking shelter. He convinced the official that they would be rewarded by the Mughal authorities in Miranda for the capture of the Guru’s mother, and together they informed officers Jani Khan and Mani Khan of Mata Gujri’s and the Guru’s sons whereabouts. On December 8, 1705 A.D., the officers captured and arrested Mata Gujri and the younger sahibzade and carried them to Sirhind. Still hoping for reward, Gangu accompanied them.
    Imprisonment
    On December 9, 1705 A.D., Nawab Wazir Khan, the head official of Sirhind, imprisoned Mata Gurjri and the younger sahibzade. Despite the chilly winter weather, he locked the old women and her young grandsons in an open summer tower or Thanda Burj. meaning “cold tower,” built to escape the searing heat of the summer months. Exposed to the elements with only the clothes they wore, the grandmother and her little grandsons had little protection from sun, wind, or nighttime temperatures. Their cruel captors gave no food or drink to warm or sustain them. Curious local folk gathered to gawk at them. Sachanand Khatri, whose offer of his daughter as wife to one of Guru Gobind Singh’s elder sons had been repeatedly spurned, turned his anger towards the younger sahibzade vengefully declaring them to be the offspring of a poisonous serpent who would grow to be as dangerous as their father if allowed to live.
    Separation
    Wazir Khan ordered the sahibzade brought before him but wished Mata Gujri to be kept confined in the tower, hoping that separation would increase their vulnerability to his ploys. The Ranghar, or governor, of Murinda went to fetch them, cunningly assuring Mata Gujri that he would return the children safely. She hid her grandsons behind her not wanting to let them go. The elder took the younger one’s hand and bravely declared they should meet their enemy, Wazir Khan. Once he had separated the Sahibzade from their grandmother, the Ranghar, hoping to shake their resolve, told them their father and elder brothers had been killed. The sahibzade accused the Ranghar of lying, insisting their father the Guru to be invincible.
    Test of Faith
    When the younger sahibzade stood before Wazir Khan, he told them their troubles would be over if they accepted Islam. He promised them riches and rank if they would denounce their father’s faith. He made it clear, however, that they had no other choice, and should otherwise surely face death. The two innocent children faced their adversary courageously, vowing to remain steadfast in their faith. Advising them to consider carefully, the Wazir ordered them returned to the open air tower, informing them their death sentence would be carried out in two days time if they did not repent.
    Martyrdom
    As the date of execution neared, Mata Gurji comforted her grandsons, rallying their spirits with stories of their father’s heroic deeds. She reminded them of how their Grandfather Ninth Guru Teg Bahadar fearlessly faced his own martyrdom, and of their illustrious ancestor Fifth Guru Arjun Dev’s unfailing spirit when martyred.
    On December 11, 1705 A.D., Wazir Khan offered the sahibzade a second opportunity to renounce their faith and embrace Islam. When they refused, he ordered that they be bricked up alive. Nawab Sher Muhammed of Malerkotl registered a formal protest. insisting that the Quran did not condone the murder of innocents. Ignoring his advice, the Wazir implemented his order. The sahibzade remained faithful as brick cemented upon brick rose about them, forming a wall which rose chest high to suffocate them. As their air supply diminished, the wall gave way and collapsed.
    On December 12, 1705 A.D., the Wazir gave the sahibizade one final opportunity to convert to Islam. The stalwart sons of Guru Gobind Singh withstood temptation, declared their undying devotion to the Khalsa Panth and denounced the Wazir’s forcible attempts to sway them. Determined to see them die, the Wazir, ordered the heads of the innocent 7- and 9-year-old sahibzade to be severed from their bodies. When Mata Gujri learned of her grandsons’ fate, she collapsed. Guru Gobind Singh’s mother could not be revived. Four days and nights of exposure to the elements in the open tower and the shock of hearing that her beloved grandsons had been cruelly beheaded proved fatal.
    On December 13, 1705 A.D., merchant Seth Todar Mal of Sirhind obtained permission to perform last rites when he offered to cover the ground where the bodies lay outside the fort wall with gold coins. The merchant respectfully cremated the bodies of Guru Gobind Singh’s mother and young sons.
    Historic Commemorative Shrines
    The place where the bodies of Mata Gujri and the sahibzade lay overnight is known as Bimangarh. Three shrines near Sirhind are dedicated to their memory: Gurdwara Burj Mata Gujri, Gurdwara Shahid Ganj and Gurdwara Fatehgarh.

  • Honoring the Unparalleled Sacrifice of Sahibzadas: A Historic Time for the Sikh Community

    As December unfolds, the Sikh community commemorates a pivotal chapter in their history, a poignant moment that resonates with the spirit of sacrifice and valor. These upcoming days hold profound significance, marking the tribute to the supreme and unparalleled martyrdom of Sahibzadas, the revered sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Their sacrifice remains etched in the annals of time, an indelible testament to unwavering faith and unparalleled bravery.

    The legacy of Sahibzadas—Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh—echoes through generations, inspiring millions with their unyielding commitment to righteousness and fearlessness. Their story isn’t just a chapter in history; it is a beacon of courage that continues to guide and uplift humanity.

    Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, imbued his sons with principles of valor, selflessness, and devotion to justice. During a tumultuous period, these young souls fearlessly embraced their father’s teachings, standing unwavering against tyranny and oppression. Their sacrifice wasn’t merely a loss for the Sikh community; it was a profound statement against injustice and tyranny.

    The commemoration of their martyrdom is not just an event but a spiritual journey for Sikhs worldwide. It’s a time for reflection, introspection, and rekindling the values that Sahibzadas exemplified. Their unwavering commitment to their faith and principles, even in the face of extreme adversity, remains an awe-inspiring tale of courage and resilience.

    Sahibzadas’ sacrifice wasn’t confined to their individual selves; it symbolized a larger struggle for righteousness and freedom. Their unwavering resolve in upholding truth and righteousness against oppressive forces serves as an eternal reminder of the fight against injustice.

    In commemorating their sacrifice, the Sikh community gathers in prayer, reflection, and service, reinforcing the teachings espoused by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It’s a time not only to honor their martyrdom but to emulate their virtues in everyday life—selflessness, bravery, and unwavering commitment to truth.

    The stories of Sahibzadas’ martyrdom transcend religious boundaries, serving as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Their sacrifice is a beacon of hope, inspiring people worldwide to stand up against injustice and uphold the values of righteousness and compassion.

    As the Sikh community observes these historic days, it’s a reminder to humanity of the need for unity, compassion, and courage in the face of challenges. It’s a time to remember that the spirit of sacrifice and righteousness, exemplified by Sahibzadas, remains eternally relevant and serves as a guiding light for all.

    In essence, the commemoration of Sahibzadas’ supreme sacrifice isn’t just a historical event—it’s a timeless narrative of valor and selflessness that resonates with the core of human existence. It’s a reminder that their martyrdom shall forever remain etched in the collective consciousness, urging generations to uphold truth, justice, and humanity above all.

    As we pay tribute to the unparalleled martyrdom of Sahibzadas, let us ensure their legacy lives on by embodying their teachings and perpetuating their ideals of courage, compassion, and unwavering faith in the pursuit of righteousness.