The Greatest Sacrifice: The Story Of The Chaar Sahibzaade

When the world remembers the stories of the greatest valors, the greatest sacrifices, it is impossible to not mention the sacrifices of the ‘Chaar Sahibzaade’. The 4 sons of the 10th Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, are known as ‘Chaar Sahibzaade’ – Ajit Singh Ji, Jujhar Singh Ji, Zorawar Singh Ji and Fateh Singh Ji. The 4 sons sacrificed their lives in 1704 and it is still remembered as one of the greatest sacrifices made.

Here is the ‘Safar-E-Shahadat’ that led to the Chaar Sahibzaade sacrificing their lives:

On the night 6th and 7th Poh, the Mughal and ‘Pahaadi’ kings got the Anandpur Fort empty forcibly. The Pahaadi Kings swore on the cow, considered holy in their religion, and the Mughals swore on their holy scripture, Quran, that they wouldn’t attack the fort. They had already been surrounding the fort with their armies for months and inside the fort, people went through tough times as they ran out of supplies and even food. Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji agreed to leave the fort but as he stepped out of the fort, the armies that were surrounding it attacked! 

Winters and rain were both at their peak and the Sarsa River was looking dangerous. When the people who had run away from the fort crossed the fast-flowing river, many horses and Singhs were taken away by the flow of water. Mata Gujri Ji, Nikke Sahibzaade – Zorawar Singh Ji & Fateh Singh Ji, were on one side of the river while Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Vadde Sahibzaade – Ajit Singh Ji & Jujhar Singh Ji on the other side. Mata Sundari Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji went to Delhi along with Bhai Mani Singh Ji. This was known as the ‘Parivar Vichhoda’ and at present, ‘Gurudwara Shri Parivar Vichora’ is situated at the place.

On the 7th of Poh, Bhai Jeewan Singh Ji and Bhai Bachittar Singh Ji achieved martyrdom.

On the other side, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, accompanied by his two elder sons and 40 singhs reached Chamkaur Di Garhi, where the second battle of Chamkaur Sahib took place. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 2 Sahibzaade and 40 Singhs fought a whole army of Mughals led by Wazir Khan. 

On 8th Poh, the 2 elder Sahibzaade achieved martyrdom fighting with the army of Mughals. Sahibzaada Ajit Singh Ji and Jujhar Singh Ji were both excellent warriors and fought with great valour. Their sacrifice for the community and peace will never be forgotten. Baba Ajit Singh Ji was just 17 years old and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji was 13 years old at the time of martyrdom. Along with Sahibzaade, many brave Sikh warriors gave their lives fighting in the Battle Of Chamkaur.

On the same night, Guru Gobind Singh Ji left the fort on the request of 5 Singhs. Bhai Sangat Singh Ji was made to wear Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Poshak (clothes). The Mughals mistook Bhai Sangat Singh Ji as Guru Gobind Singh Ji and killed him. 

Meanwhile, Mata Gujri Ji and the two little Sahibzaade were staying with Gangu, who was a server at Anandpur Sahib and controlled Guru Sahib’s kitchen. During their stay, greed took over Gangu and he stole Mata Gujri Ji’s Pack of Gold. Mata Gujri Ji saw this and asked about it to Gangu. Instead of admitting his mistake, Gangu tried to play smart and announced in the village about the lost pack of gold. He knew that the Mughal army was looking for Mata Gujri Ji and the Sahibzaade but still publicly announced about the lost bag. 

Mata Ji told Gangu to keep the gold and said that she doesn’t want it. Angered by this, Gangu went to the Kotwali and told him everything. The Mughal army reached Gangu’s house and arrested Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji at Morinda Kotwali. 

On 10th Poh, Bibi Harsharan Kaur Ji performed the last rites of the martyrs of Battle Of Chamkaur. When the Mughal Army reached the spot, Bibi Harsharan Kaur fought with them. The Mughals threw Bibi Harsharan Kaur Ji in burning fire and she achieved martyrdom. On the same day, Mata Gujri Ji and the two Sahibzaade were brought to the ‘Thanda Burj’. It was freezing cold and a river flew near the Burj. Mata Ji and Sahibzaade did not have anything to protect them from the cold.

On 11th Poh, the Sahibzaade were brought in the court of Wazir Khan. They were asked to convert to Islam but the brave sons of Guru refused. Diwan Sucha Nand tried to show the Sahibzaade down but they kept their heads up during the whole meeting. Not only this, Wazir Khan’s court echoed with the sound of Jaikaare by the Sahibzaade. Wazir Khan gave them 1 day to think about accepting Islam. During their stay at the Thanda Burj, Bhai Moti Ram Mehra Ji served milk to Mata Ji and Sahibzaade by bribing the Mughal soldiers.

On 12th Poh, the court session was held again. This time, Nawab of Malerkotla, Sher Mohammad Khan was also present. Guru Sahib had killed Nawab’s brother during a battle. But Sher Mohammad Khan refused to take his revenge from the little Sahibzaade and Mata Ji. He even requested Wazir Khan to not do this and release the three of them immediately. But Wazir Khan, Sucha Nand and the Qazi tried every mischief to make the Guru sons accept Islam. When they gave up, the Sahibzaade did not move an inch from their decision and it was that time when Wazir Khan gave the orders to brick the Sahibzaade alive. This is known as ‘Saka Sirhind’.

13th Poh, the darkest day in the history of Sikh Religion when Sahibzaada Zorawar Singh Ji, aged 9 and Sahibzaada Fateh Singh Ji, aged 5 were bricked alive by the Mughals. No executioner accepted this and agreed to perform this act of utmost cruelty. So Wazir Khan convinced Shaashal Begh and Baachal Begh, who were in the prison for some crime, by promising to release them. 

Walls were built around the two little souls. When the wall reached Baba Fateh Singh Ji’s knees, they were once again asked to accept the conversion to Islam, but they refused. They were bricked alive and when the two Sahibzaade ran out of breath, their throats were ordered to be slit! This is by far the most gruesome and cruel act in the Sikh history. The two Sahibzaade achieved martyrdom and their sacrifices lived forever.

Mata Gujri Ji were watching this act of cruelty from the Thanda Burj. She could not bear the loss of her sons and achieved martyrdom at the Burj. 

On 14th Poh, Diwan Todar Mal bought a plot of land to perform the last rites for the Sahibzaade and Mata Gujri Ji. The plot of land was bought in such a manner that a sheet of gold coins was spread off the ground and the area that they covered, were sold to Diwan Todar Mal. Some people recognize that Diwan Todar Mal bought the most expensive plot of land in history in this way. The last rites of the Sahibzaade and Mata Gujri Ji were then performed on the land. 

The incident is regarded as an important moment in the history of Sikh religion. Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, named after the youngest Sahibzaade Baba Fateh Singh Ji, has been constructed on the place where he was bricked alive along with his 9 year old brother Baba Zorawar Singh Ji. The Thanda Burj is too present today where Mata Gujri Ji gave her life.

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