Veer Bal Diwas: Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice

New Delhi, Dec 26 (NationPress) On January 9, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed that December 26 would be celebrated as Veer Bal Diwas to honor the martyrdom of the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzades Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, who sacrificed their lives in 1704.

The four sons of Guru Gobind Singh—Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh—are regarded as some of the most esteemed figures in Sikhism.

During the conflict between the Mughals and Guru Gobind Singh, the Guru's family faced separation after a fierce encounter near the Sarsa River. Following their capture, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb offered the young Sahibzadas safety if they converted to Islam.

Choosing to remain steadfast in their faith, the two younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, were sentenced to death. They were bricked alive within the walls of a fort in Sirhind (Punjab), becoming emblems of unyielding faith and valor.

Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib now stands at the site where the two Chote Sahibzades were martyred. The sons are lovingly referred to as Sahibzades. Since then, the sacred land of Fatehgarh Sahib has served as a source of inspiration for not just Sikhs but for all of humanity, as tens of thousands gather annually to pay homage to Chotta Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri on their martyrdom day. Each year, a three-day gathering, officially named 'Shaheedi Sabha', takes place in Fatehgarh Sahib to honor the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, Sahibzada Fateh Singh, and their mother Mata Gujri.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh lost their lives in the Battle of Chamkaur in 1704, valiantly fighting against Mughal forces.

Veer Bal Diwas serves not only as a day to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, but also as a reminder of the sacrifices made by all four sons of Guru Gobind Singh and the bravery they exemplified.

Their martyrdom embodies the Sikh values of faith, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of challenges. This day pays tribute to their legacy and the principles they upheld, reinforcing the ideals of the Khalsa and the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Gobind Singh (born on December 22, 1666, in Patna, Bihar) is among the most significant figures in Sikhism. After the martyrdom of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, he ascended as the Sikh Guru at the young age of nine.

Not only a religious leader, Guru Gobind Singh was also a warrior, poet, and reformer who played a pivotal role in shaping Sikh identity and spirituality.

He introduced the Five Ks—five articles of faith for Khalsa Sikhs:

Kesh (uncut hair)

Kanga (wooden comb)

Kara (iron or steel bracelet)

Kirpan (dagger)

Kachera (short breeches)

Khalsa: Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth, a community of devoted Sikh warriors bound by strict ethical and religious tenets, including abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, and halal meat.

He proclaimed the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred text of Sikhs, as the eternal Guru, thus ending the lineage of human Gurus.

Guru Gobind Singh led the Sikh forces in battles against the Mughals, notably the Battle of Muktsar (1705) and the Battle of Anandpur (1704), where he faced the loss of his mother and two younger sons.