Shaheedi of the Sahibzade

🙏 Pourquoi on la célèbre

In the last week of December Sikhs remember the martyrdom of the Guru’s sons — the elder two at Chamkaur, the younger two and their grandmother at Sirhind. India keeps 26 December as Veer Bal Diwas.

📖 L’histoire qui s’y rattache

After leaving Anandpur Sahib, the family was scattered. The elder Sahibzade, Ajit Singh (17) and Jujhar Singh (13), fell fighting a vast army at the mud fortress of Chamkaur. The younger, Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (6), were captured with their grandmother Mata Gujri Ji and brought before Wazir Khan at Sirhind; offered their lives if they gave up their faith, they refused and were bricked alive. Mata Gujri Ji passed away in the cold tower (Thanda Burj). Seth Todar Mal bought the land for their cremation by covering it with gold coins.

🪔 Comment la célébrer

• Attend the Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib or kirtan at a gurdwara
• Many families sleep on the floor and avoid celebrations this week
• Tell children the story of the Sahibzade’s courage
• Serve in the langar in their memory