Dr Mandeep Singh Azad, Dr Kawardeep
“In Putran Ke Sees Par, Vaar Diye Sut Chaar, Chaar Muye Toh Kya Hua, Jeevat Kahin Hazaar”
“I have sacrificed my four sons for Sikh Panth, So, what if my four sons are dead, when thousands of my Gursikhs are alive”
These are the words of Guru Gobind Singh Ji after he lost his four younger Sahibzada. Guru Gobind Singh Ji ,10th Guru of Sikhs is known for his supreme sacrifice of his whole family just for his country and nation. As the year approaches the end, the global world Sikh community commemorates the martyrdom of youngest in the history of the world. This month is to mourn and sadness for whole nation and especially sikh community who lost there beloved Sahibzada to cruel rulers. A martyr is one who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce his faith. To sacrifice one’s life to uphold dharma has been an integral part of the Sikh faith. A shahid or martyr, by his supreme sacrifice for the right cause, bears testimony to its truth and to his own commitment to it. To ensure justice and to see that no one is oppressed is enjoined as a duty of every Sikh. As says the Guru, “Listen O mind, that person who fears nothing nor gives anyone cause to fear, has alone obtained true knowledge.” Sikh history is replete with incidents of martyrdom and the Sikh gurus set the example for the Sikhs by sacrificing their life. Among the supreme martyrs are four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, char sahibzade. The “vaade sahibzade” or the older sons, aged 18 and 14, died fighting a battle at Chamkaur Sahib. The younger sons, “chotte sahibzade” attained martyrdom at the ages of six and nine.
While describing the importance of the land of Chamkaur, Allah Yaar Khan Jogi penned these immortal lines in his historical account.” Bas Ek Hii Hind Mein Tirth Hai Yatra Ke Liye, Katai Baap Ne Betey Jahan Khuda Ke Liye””There is only one place of worship in this part of the world where a father sacrificed his sons for humanity”. At the age when kids are supposed to play with toys, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzaada Fateh Singh(Age 5) and Sahibzaada Zorawar Singh (Age 9) attained martyrdom at Sirhind, Punjab. They along with their grandmother Mata Gujri Ji were tortured for days and were bricked alive. Ajit Singh, the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh, was born on January 25, 1687. He was taught Sikh theology, history and philosophy as well as martial arts like swordsmanship, horse-riding and archery. He fought his first battle when he was only 12 years of age. Ajit Singh laid down his life fighting heroically in the battle of Chamkaur. The second sahibzada, Jujhar Singh, born on March 14, 1691, was fearless and a great warrior. He also, like his brother, sacrificed his life, fighting for a noble cause. Zorawar Singh, the third son of Guru Gobind Singh, born on November 17, 1696, was only nine years of age when he attained martyrdom. Fateh Singh, the youngest son, was born on February 25, 1699 but lost his mother in 1700. He was very close to his grandmother, Mata Gujri, who brought him up inculcating typical Sikh values.When all appeasement failed, the then Governor of Sirhind ordered their execution by bricking them alive. Mata Gujri Ji, their grandmother, was all aware of the times ahead and with a heavy heart dressed up the young warriors like grooms. Their unshaken faith, courage, steadfastness and determination was of such high order they did not budge an inch despite several threats meted out and allurements offered over a three-day period to break their faith and spirit. They walked backwards through the small door so they would enter the court without their head bowed towards their tormentors. Their grandmother who had accompanied them gave them courage to stay the path. There is no parallel to such martyrdom in the annals of human history. The governor refused to do their last rites on their land and said the land would have to be bought and laid with gold coins. A local Diwan Todar Mal sold his property to do so; his successive generations are revered till today in Punjab. There is a Diwan Todar Mal Marg today in Fatehgarh Sahib. Historians believe this is the most valuable place in the world. Diwan Todar Mall (who was himself a Hindu) had bought the place by laying 7800 gold coins on the ground. According to the price of gold, the value of these 4 square meters of land is 2,50,00,000,000 (2.5 billion).Thus, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh stood strong to the true principles of Sikhism and sacrificed their lives for Humanity. We need to even prepare ourself to even understand the Greatness of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The world has never seen a man, a divine messenger, a warrior, a prophet, a poet, a emperor as great as Guru Gobind Singh Ji. We have may hear great stories of sacrifice but among all the sacrifice made by Guru Gobind Singh Ji stands tall of all. Sacrifing your whole family for your nation is something which is seen very less .Guru Gobind Singh Ji ,10th Guru of Sikhs is known for his supreme sacrifice of his whole family just for his country and nation
Till date, the the true adherent of sikhi in Anandpur Sahib and Sirhind, commemorate these days by sleeping on the floor, without any blanket. They bare the same cold harsh winter just like the way our Sahibzaade and Mata Gujri witnessed it. Martyrs are source of inspiration and symbol of heroism, courage and extreme devotion in every religious tradition. They play influential role in deciding the fate of their communities. Their death for religious cause encourages the future generation to fight for religious cause. Martyrdom is a central concept in Sikhism. In Sikhism, martyrdom is the culmination of one’s devotion and fulfilment of socio-religious obligations.
A true Sikh accepts death for the sake of religion and coutry as a divine blessing and divine command of the Supreme Being. He is always ready to die for upholding the eternal message of Sikh Gurus. In Sikh history, there are countless martyrs, who sacrificed their life in their struggle against foreign invaders and barbaric rulers. The Sikh martyrs had opposed the political absolutism, religious fundamentalism and violation of human rights. Sikh Gurus laid down the supreme sacrifices for the sake of victims of political tyranny and religious bigotry and they suffered unendurable persecution. They fought for religion and liberation of vulnerable, demoralized people, suffer death in their holy struggle against political oppressors, and choose death at the time when they were asked to choose between life and death.
The story of the Sahibzadas’, needs to be disseminated far and wide within India and across the world as a true example of standing up for what is just and righteous. Effort needs to be directed towards this end by the Sikh community and its institutions as also by the Indian government and other cultural bodies of the nation. There is a need of institute studies, create literature and make all efforts to disseminate the historical facts in a manner that they motivate all humanity.Even thinking of about the courage of such young Sahibzada of guru who sacrificed their life but did not bow in front of wrong brings goose bumps and tear in the eyes of us all .In addition to mourn the martyrdom of sahibzade we should all learn from their sense of belief in God and love for country and religion that we all should also teach to our younger generation.
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