Sahibzada Fateh Singh

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Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh in captivity

Fateh Singh, Sahibzada (12 December 1699 - 26 December 1705), the youngest of Guru Gobind Singh's four sons, was born to Mata Jito ji (also known as Mata Sundari ji) at Anandpur on 12 December 1699. After the death of his mother, on 5 December 1700, he was brought up under the care of his grandmother, Mata Gujari Kaur ji, with whom he remained till the last.

On 26 December 1705, he was martyred at Sirhind along with his elder brother, Zorawar Singh. He is probably the youngest recorded martyr in history who knowingly laid down his life at the very tender age of 5 years. Sahibzada Fateh Singh and his older brother, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh are among the most hallowed martyrs in Sikhism.

The mind boggles to understand how children of such young age had the guts, courage, bravery and focus to refuse the promise of many lavish gifts and a future of cosy comforts of royalty that were being offered by the Mughals. All they had to do to get all these luxuries was to abandon their religion. This young child was asked to weigh an easy out against the stark option of a brutal, painful and tragic death entombed within a wall of bricks and cement.

The world salutes the supreme sacrifice of these kids of steel who never once - even for a moment considered the easy option and always remained focused on their mission to uphold the principles of God's kingdom and allowed their bodies to be tortured, violated and endured the intense pain of a slow, pain-ridden and certain death.

On the one hand the world witnessed, the supreme sacrifice of the youngest members of the Guru's household for the highest ideals of humanity and on the other hand you have the lowly, cruel, cold-blooded and barbaric acts of the heartless and immoral Wazir Khan who had broke an oath sworn on his own Holy book—the Qur'an. May the world reflect on this supreme sacrifice made by this 6 year old, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Guru Tegh Bahadar to fight for justice and for the right of his people and people of other faiths to practise their own faiths without interference or imposition. May we all, the different peoples of our planet learn from this episode in our global history, the values of life and the way to uphold these values. Also, may we all realise the dangers posed by uncontrolled and immoral minds on the development of humanity on this fragile earth.

A combination of Mughals and hillmen besieged Anandpur Sahib on the orders of emperor Aurangzeb. The stock of food in the town ran out. The Mughals promised to leave the Sikhs alone if they would hand over the fortress of Anandpur. To this Guru Gobind agreed and left the town with his family and a small band of retainers.

They had not gone very far when the Mughals, breaking their promise, came after them. Guru Gobind and his two older sons got separated from his mother, Mata Gujri and his two youngest sons, Zorawar and Fateh Singh during the confused departure from Anandpur. After they managed to cross the nearby river they felt themselves saved when they reached the village of Sahedi and ran into their former Hindu cook, Gangu who kindly gave them shelter in his home. But like a sly fox he handed them over to the Mughal authorities of his village, no doubt hoping for a reward.

Turned over to the faujdar of Morinda. They were soon taken to Sirhind where, still stinging over the escape of the Guru, Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind was most pleased to have the two young Princes.

The two sons of Guru Gobind, Zorawar (9 years old) and Fateh (6 years old) were offered safe passage if they became Muslims. With a courage that belied their years, both boys refused to do so.

Wazir Khan sentenced them to death. They were bricked alive.

Although he did not know it then, Wazir Khan was to pay for the crime that he had committed. After Guru Gobind's death, Madhodas Bairagi, a hermit from Nanded, whom the Guru baptised as Banda Bahadur, besieged the Punjab. After laying waste, the cities of Samana and Sandhaura, he moved towards Sirhind and after defeating the Mughal forces, killed Wazir Khan.

The place where the two sons of Guru Gobind were bricked alive is today known as Fatehgarh Sahib.


See also:


External Links

These articles deal with Char Sahibzade

Sahibzada Ajit Singh -|- Sahibzada Jujhar Singh -|- Sahibzada Zorawar Singh -|- Sahibzada Fateh Singh


References

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  • 1. Sainapati, Kavi, Sri Guru Sobhd. Patiala, 1967.
  • 2. Chibar, Kesar Singh, Bansdvalindmd Dnsdn Pdtshdhidn Kd. Chandigarh, 1972.
  • 3. Sukha Singh, Bhai, Gurbilds Dnsvin Pdlshdiu. Lahore, 1912.
  • 4. Paclam, Piaia Singh, Char Sdhibidde. Patiala, 1967.
  • 5. Trilochan Singh, Life-sketch of Guru Gobind Singh. Chandigarh, 1968.
  • 6. Dates changed in accordance with Nanakshahi calendar