Kanwal Singh
“Sura So Pehchaniye, Jo Ladeh Din Ke Het, Purja Purja Kat Marai, Kabahu Na Shadai Khet”
“He alone is known as a spiritual hero, who fights in defense of Dharma, He may be cut apart, piece by piece, but he never leaves the field of battle”
On these darkest days, in 17th century, the youngest heroes and bravest comrades of Sikhism, sacrificed their lives for humanity. The four beloved sons of Guru Gobind Singh, showed utmost valour and stood up against the tyranny of Mughal Empire. It’s an irony that our history has not been kind to their true stories of bravery and immense scarifice. We live in an era where our younger generation is more inclined and descended towards reel heroic character being portrayed in Hollywood movies, while these true stories of courage have lost in time. Even our NCERT books have no mention of it. They were real superheroes and we must draw inspiration from their lives.
The two elder son’s of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzaada Ajit Singh (aged 17 years) and Sahibzaada Jujhar Singh (aged 14 years), attained martyrdom at the Battle Of Chamkaur. This great battle is considered to be one of the greatest last stands in history, where 40 brave Sikh Warriors fought with an army of over ten lakhs.
Sahibzaada Ajit Singh, was initiated into the Khalsa Panth, on the first Vaisakhi Day, April 13th, 1699, at Anandpur Sahib. He lead the charge of five brave Sikhs in the Battle of Chamkaur. History defines Sahibzaada Ajit Singh as undefeated, “Ajit Haan! Jitaya Nahi Javanga, Jitaya Gaya Agar, Wapas Nahi Aavanga”. He fought with utmost courage on the battlefield and was cut to pieces. This is the only example in History of unparalleled heroism and sacrifice, where a father prepared his sons to go on the battlefield. Death was certain and so was the glory. At the Battle Of Chamkaur, forty bravehearts were up against the mighty force of Mughal Empire. Everyday a group of five Sikhs used to leave the besieged fortress and face the enemy on the battlefield. On attaining martyrdom, the sound of Sikh war cry, “Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal”, by Guru Gobind Singh Ji echoed the battlefield.
Seeing his elder brother fighting, Sahibzaada Jujhar Singh was all set to enter the battlefield. The wounds were inflicted and the roars of battle drums speared the skies. Sahibzaada Jujhar Singh fought like a fierce warrior and for his swift sword skills was even compared to the likes of crocodile. He attained martyrdom on Dec 7, 1705 AD. The two Sahibzaadae at such a young age, were a powerful force to reckon with.
Allah Yaar Khan Jogi, a Muslim poet wrote a poem- “Ganj-a-Shaheedan”, depicting the heart rending tragedies of chamkaur sahib. It was an homage to the brave warriors. One of the line says-
” Bas Hind Main Ek Hii Tirath Hai Yatra Ke Liye, Katai Baap Ne Bete Jahan Khuda Ke Liye”
Allah Yaar Khan Jogi proclaimed that “If there is any place for pilgrimage in earth then it’s the one 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. At the court of Mughal Empire, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh showed immense courage and intelligence. Their prudence, wisdom and spiritual knowledge was way beyond their age. Every argument of the tyrannical monarch, Wazir Khan was responded by true words of wisdom. On one of the occasion when Wazir Khan, asked the young bravehearts to bow down and accept Islam, the younger sons of sikhism cited a verse from Guru Granth Sahib. It explained the true meaning of life and who is accepted at the court of lord.
“Pahila Maran Kabul, Jivan Ki Shad Aas, Hoh Sabhna Ki Renuka, Tau Aau Hamare Paas”
“First Accept Death and give up any hope on life, Become The Dust Of The Feet Of All & Then You’ll Be Accepted In Court of Lord”.
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. Thus, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh stood strong to the true principles of Sikhism and sacrificed their lives for Humanity. 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.
How Great Was Guru Gobind Singh Ji, when Chaar Sahibzaade attained martyrdom, their mother, Mata Sahib Kour, unaware of this adversity and tragedy, inquired about the well being of his four sons. Guru Gobind Singh Ji pointing towards the young khalsa warriors sitting in the sangat and replied-
“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”
On 25th December, when the entire Sikh panth will stand in remembrance of these brave souls, the country must rise and declare this day as “International Children’s Day”, so that our young generation can be inspired from true “Superheroes”.
(The author is Scholar of Sikh History.)
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