Saka Sirhind: Difference between revisions

Saka Sirhind is event related to martyrdom of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh at Sirhind, Punjab on 26 December 1705. Following are series of events related to Saka Sirhind:

• Eviction of Gujri, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh from Anandpur seige.
• Arrest of above three at Morinda and hearing at Sirhind.
• Arguments at Sirhind Court.
• Sher Muhammad Khan defended young Sahibzadas.
• Declaration of Innocence of Sahibzadas, by Qazis and other officials.
• Arguments by Diwan Todar Mall and Young Sahibzadas to support prosecution.
• Found guilty of keeping ideology rebelious to Mughal Government and religions.
• Punishment - Bricked alive
• Aftermath

Every year on 26 December, Shaheedi Jor Mela is organised at Fatehgarh Sahib, to commemorate the supreme sacrifice at the place of their martyrdom.

Guru's sons were sentenced to be bricked alive in the wall on the provocative arguments put forward by Diwan Sucha Nand in favour of prosecution.

The Mughal forces, Hilly Rajas’ forces had laid seize to Anandgarh Fort, Anandpur Sahib for about 8 months, in l704.The Mughals and Hilly Rajas wanted Guru Gobind Singh to leave the Fort They swore on Gita and Quran to give a safe passage to Guru.The Guru decided to leave the Fort. Guru Sahib, four Sahibzadas, Mata Gujri, Guru’s Mahil (wives), five Panj Piaras and a few hundred Sikhs left Anandpur Sahib on the chilly night of 20 December, 1704 towards Ropar. In the intervening night of 20-21 Dec., the Enemy breached the Vows and attacked Guru’s entourage at a site on Sarsa rivulet some 25 Kms from Anandpur Sahib. Guru’s family separated. This spot is now known as Parwar Vichhora. Mata Gujri with two younger grandsons, accompanied Guru family cook, Gangoo, a Brahamin, to his village, Saheri near Morinda. Guru’s Mahil left with Bhai Mani Singh, towards Delhi. Guru Gobind Singh with two elder Sahibzadas, 5 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs proceeded towards Chamkaur and reached there, in the afternoon of 21 December. Both are in Ropar Distt.(Pb.). The famous Chamkaur battle, took place on 22 and 23 Dec., l704, where two elder Sahibzadas, 3 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs laid down their lives. Mata Gujri and two younger Sahibzadas were arrested by Morinda Police at Saheri village. From there, they were handed over to Suba Sirhind. They were imprisoned, in the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower). A farcical Trial began, in the Kacheri, (Court) of Suba Sirhind. It lasted for three days. On 27th Dec., l704, a heinous and cold blooded crime was committed in the Sarzameen of Sirhind. Guru Gobind Singh’s two younger sons, Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar Singh aged 7 and 9 years were bricked alive and later killed in the presence of the Assembly of Shaitans, presided over by Suba Sirhind, Wazir Khan. Two younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri were cremated by a devout Sikh, Bhai Todar Mal, at a spot, know known as Joyti Saroop Gurudwara.

Samat Bikrmi dates and year: Leaving of Anandpur Sahib,5 Poh l76l, Battle of Chamkaur 6, 7 and 8 Poh l761, Saka Sirhind 11,12 and 13 Poh l761.

Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh

Under Emperor Aurangzeb's orders, the Mughal governors of Lahore and Sarhind, with all their troops, marched against Guru Gobind Singh. They were joined by the Hindu hill chiefs and the Muhammedan Ranghars and Gujjars of the locality

The combined armies besieged Anandpur and cut off all supplies. The Guru and his Sikhs bore the extreme hardships of the long seige with steadfast courage. The besiegers began to despair of success. They sent messengers to the Guru. The messenger said, 'The Mughal governors and the hill chiefs have sworn on the Quran that if you vacate the fort they willnot harm them. The Guru had no faiths in them but was prevailed upon by his mother and others to leave the fort. When Guruji was crossing the river sarsa they attacked him and in this confusion Guru's mother, Mata Gujri became separated from him and his sikhs. His two younger sons, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh were with her. In the biting winter they travelled through a thick jungle where they met a Brahman who had once been a cook at the Guru's house. He offered them protection in his house. The mother decided to take her grandsons with her and accept the shelter offered by Brahman.

When the Guru's mother went to sleep, he stole her saddle-bag which contained her valuables and money and buried it somewhere in the house. When the mother wokeup she found the bag missing and questioned Brahman. He pretended to be furious at this and said,'So you suspect me! you think me to be a thief! This,then, is the return that you propose to make for my service to you! I saved you from sure death. I exposed myself to grave risks in giving you shelter and protection. The return that you make to me for all this is that you charge me with theft! You have insulted me. Mata Gujri tried to calm him but he refused to listen and at once went to Muhammedan Chaudri of the village and told him that the Guru's mother and his two sons have just come to his house. Mata Gujri and his two grandsons were arrested and taken to the Nawab Wazir, governor of Sarhind .

Nawab ordered them to be confined in a tower of his for. They had to pass the cold December night with the bare, hard floor as the bed. Next day, the two grandsons were parted from their grandmother and were taken to Nawab Wazir Khan's court. On reaching there, they shouted loudly in one voice, 'Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru JI Ki Feteh', All eyes were turned in their direction. Their slim, their calm, bright faces and their fearless apperance won the admiratioj of all present in the court. Sucha Nand, a Brahman courtier of the Nawab advised the little princes to bow the Nawab. No, said Baba Zorawar Singh the elder of the two. 'We have been taught to bow to none but God and the Guru. We willnot bow to the Nawab.

This bold, unexpected reply astonished everbody, and even the Nawab. He said to the children that your father and your two elder brothers have been killed in the battle at Chamkaur. They were infidels and deserved the fate but you are lucky. Good luck has brought you to an Islamic darbar. Embarace Islam, and become one with us. You will be given wealth, rank and hounour and you will live good lives. You will be honoured by the Emperor. If you say 'No' to my offer, you will be treated as infidels are treated and will be put to death

Baba Zorawar Singh, looking at his younger brother said in a whisper, 'My brother, the time to sacrifice our lives has arrived. What do you think we should reply?. Baba Fateh Singh, who was just six years old then replied, 'Brother dear, our grandfather, Guru Teg Bahadur, parted with his head; he stoutly refused to part with his religion. We should follow his example. We have received the baptism of the spirit and the sword. We are the Guru's lions. Why should we fear death ? It is best that we should give our lives for the sake of our religion'.

Then Baba Zorawar Singh raised his voice and said to Nawab that you say that our father has been killed, that is a lie. He is alive and yet to do a good deal of work in this world. He has to shake your empire to its root. Know that we are the sons of him who at my age sent his father to sacrifice his life at Delhi. We reject your offers of pleasures. It has been the custom of our family to give life but not to give faith. Let your sword do the work. We invite you to do your worst'.

These words alone were enough to inflame the haughty Nawab. But Sucha Singh chose to pour oil over the fire and said, such is their behaviour at this tender age. What will be it when they grow up? They will follow the example of their father and destroy the imperial armies. This offsprings of a cobra should be crushed'. The Nawab said that you are true and wise but I want them to embrace Islam. Let us give them some time to think and consult their grandmother. We shall try again tommorrow to make them yield.

Then he said to the two brothers that i don't want to act in haste and I give you some time to think over it. If you refuse you will be given tortures that your cries will be heard far and wide and then you will be cut into pieces.

Then he ordered to take them back to the tower where Mata Gujri had been waiting for them eagerly. A look at their faces convinced her that they had kept firm in their faith and she said a brief prayer of thanks to God. Then she rushed towards them and hugged both of them lovingly to her bosom. Seating them on her lap she asked them to tell her what had happened.Baba Zorawar Singh narrated the whole thing to his grandmother. Mata Gujri was immensely pleased to hear what her grandsons narrated to her. Then she said to them that you should behave tommorrow in the same manner as you did today. Remember your grandfather example and teachings. If they torture you, pray to God for strength and think of your grandfather.

And on the next day when they were presented before the Nawab, he gave them the same threats and made them the same offer if they embrace Islam but they refused to his offer. Sucha Nand again pressed the Nawab to give them the death punishment. But the latter decided to give them more time to thing over. He still had hopes that they would yield.

The next day they were taken to the court for the third time. The Nawab again gave them the same offer and the brave sons of Guru Gobind Singh made the same reply as on the previous two occasions.

Then the Nawab pretented to be kind. He softened his voice and said that I hesitate to give orders for your death. By the way, what would you do if we were to give you your liberty.

The bold brave boys replied that we would collect our Sikhs, supply them with weapons of war, fight against you and put you to death. The Nawab said if you were defeated in the fight what would you do then ? The boys replied that we would collect our armies again and either kill you or be killed. By now the Nawab pretended kindness was gone and he ordered his men to bricked the boys alive. Under the Nawab's orders a part of the outer wall of the fort was pulled down and the children were made to stand in the gap thus created. The pathans were standing nearby and had their swords on shoulders of the children. Masons were ordered to erect a wall around the children. They were told to take care that the bricks press wall and tightly against their bodies.

After each layer the Qazi urged them to accept Islam but the boys stood calm and quiet. They were busy reciting Japuji and other hymns of the Gurus. When they were buried in the wall up to the shoulders the Nawab came himself and urged them to accept Islam to save their lives. The boys stood calm and shook their heads. The boys were martyred.

When the news of martyrdom reached the Mata Gujri she said ,'O my dear ones take me with you! Now that you have gone what have I left to do? O my soul, fly after them to the bosom of the Merciful Father. O my dear ones we shall meet again in our True Home'.

On the spot where the three bodies were creamted was later erected a gurudwara called Joyti Sarup. At the place where the two Sahibazadas were bircked alive stands the gurudwara called Fatehgarh Sahib. Nearby, at the site of the tower(burj) in which the three had been imprisoned and where Mata Gujri breathed her lasts, stands a gurudwara called Mata Gujri's Tower (Burj)