An Unprecedented Martyrdom: Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh JI

Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, born on 17
November 1696 and 25 February, 1699 respectively at Anandpur Sahib, District Ropar,
Punjab, following the foot-steps of their paternal grandfather Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib,
the Ninth Sikh Guru sacrificed their lives for upholding a person's right to profess the religion
of one’s own choice. Because of the death of their mother Mata Jito Ji on 5 December, 1700
these two children had been brought up by their paternal grandmother Mata Gujri Ji.
The martyrdom of these two brave children took place thirty years after the martyrdom
of their grandfather Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the Ninth Sikh Guru. The reason for the
unique martyrdom of these two younger sons who sacrificed their lives at ages 9 years and 7
years respectively was Emperor Aurangzeb's staunch policy to spread Islam in all nooks and
corners of his territory. For fulfilling his mission, Aurangzeb had issued orders to demolish all
Hindu temples, Dharamshalas and Pathshalas and break all Hindu traditions. Restrictions
were imposed on celebration of fairs and festivals by Hindus. He had established a separate
Department under a Director General for this purpose and had established a jatha of mullans
to go from place to place to demolish famous Hindu temples. Under these orders, the centuries
old temples in Mathura, Ayodhya and Varanasi were demolished. The well-known Vishwanath
temple in Varanasi, a popular place of pilgrimage of Hindus was also demolished. The city of
Mathura was named as 'Islamabad'. Aurangzeb also directed all his Governors not to give
jobs to Hindus and wherever possible dismiss Hindu employees. Thus, a large number of
Hindus had been forcibly converted to Islam. In Kashmir more than half of the Brahmins had
been converted to Islam.

By 1674, this movement of forcible conversion to Islam had reached its climax. Sri
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the Ninth Master of the Sikhs sacrificed his life to rebuff this
movement and his martyrdom on November 11, 1675 marked the anti-climax of Aurangzeb's
mission. After his martyrdom, his son Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji who became the Tenth Guru
took cudgels against the Mughal emperor who was bent upon killing all those individuals who
stood in his way of Islamikaran. Thus, Aurangzeb considered Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who
was following the foot-steps of his father, to save Hindus from conversion, as one of his chief
enemies. The institution of Khalsa by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji which was given a concrete
form on the Baisakhi day of 1699, through initiation of Panj Piaras at Anandpur Sahib, District
Ropar, Punjab further infuriated Aurangzeb the Mughal ruler. The Rajput chiefs of Shivalik
hills who felt threatened by the increasing power of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji decided to come
together and help the Mughal ruler in combating the Tenth Guru Sahib’s activities. They joined
hands under the leadership of the Raja of Bilaspur in whose territory fell the town of Anandpur
Sahib to forcibly oust Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji from his hilly citadel. During 1700-1704, the
hilly monarchs raided Anandpur Sahib many times but yielded no fruit. Having been frustrated
by their failures, they requested Emperor Aurangzeb for help to which he readily agreed. In
May 1705, in collaboration with the contingents sent under imperial orders by the Governor of Lahore and those of Wazir Khan, the faujdar of Sirhind they invaded Anandpur Sahib and laid a siege to the fort and made incessant attacks. Inspite of scarcity of ammunition as well as food, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his Sikhs gave a firm fight to these incessant assaults.

Feeling helpless the attackers cunningly gave an offer to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji to provide
safe exit to him and his Sikh forces if he agreed to quit Anandpur Sahib. Guru Sahib accepted
the offer. But during the night of 5-6 December, 1705 as soon as, Guru Sahib along with his
four sons - Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji
and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji and his mother Mata Gujri Ji and the Sikhs started coming out,
the hilly chiefs and their Mughal allies began attacking them. While crossing on horseback
the rivulet Sirsa, a tributary of Sutlej river which was in full spate, the two younger sons of Sri
Guru Gobind Singh Ji Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji aged 9
years and 7 years respectively and their paternal grandmother Mata Gujri Ji got separated
from the rest of the family. To commemorate this event Gurdwara Sri Parivar Vichchora
Sahib, Nangal Sirsa, District Ropar has been established at this place, which is 12 kms north
of Ropar. Gangu, an old cook of the family promised to take the two younger Sahibzadas and
their grandmother Mata Gujri Ji to his village Kheri, now known as Saheri near Morinda, District
Ropar. From the place of Parivar Vichochora Sahib Gangu took them to the Chhann (cottage)
of Baba Kuma Mashki Ji. At this place now exists Gurdwara Chhann Baba Kumma Mashki
Ji, District Ropar. Mata Gujri Ji and the Sahibzada’s stayed at this place for a few hours. It is
worth mentioning that from the Chhann of Baba Kumma Mashki JI the way to Saheri was so
hazardous that in the early morning of December 5-6, due to darkness Gangu started taking
them towards the village Rangia and went beyond Saheri. When he realized that he was going
in an incorrect direction he asked Mata Gujri Ji and the Sahibzadas to stay there near the
cottage of a hermit which was in the centre of a mango-grove and to find the correct way to
his village Saheri he went forward. That hermit recognized Mata Gujri Ji and the two
Sahibzadas and struck with wonder asked them how come they were there at an odd time.
Mata Gujri Ji said Amai (without reason). Now at this place exists Gurdwara Sri Amai Sahib.
After understanding the way to Saheri Gangu took them to Saheri. At night Gangu stole the
bag of Mata Gujri Ji which he had seen earlier which contained money and precious things.
Becoming more greedy to earn a sumptuous reward he decided to hand over Mata Gujri Ji
and the Sahibzadas to the Mughals. In the village Saheri, Tehsil Morinda, Distt. Ropar at the
place of Gangu’s house now exists Gurdwara Sri Attak Sahib, Tehsil Morinda, Distt. Ropar.
Next morning Gangu took all the three to the Ranghars Jani Khan and Mani Khan, the
administrators incharge of the area. At the place.near Gangu’s house in village Saheri, Tehsil
Morinda, District Ropar where Mata Gujri Ji and the Sahibzadas were handed over to the
Ranghars Jani Khan and Mani Khan, now Gurdwara Sri Rath Sahib has been established in
the sacred memory of Mata Gujri Ji and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh
Singh Ji.
In Morinda, District Ropar, at the place where Mata Gujri and the two Sahibzadas were
kept in jail now exists Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib. In the meantime, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji passing through the village Brahman Majra on 6 December had reached Chamkaur Sahib, District Ropar which is 40 kms south-west of Anandpur Sahib with his two elder sons Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji aged 18 years and 14 years respectively and about forty Sikhs. The imperial army and the
army of hilly monarchs had followed them. In the furious battle which ensued on 7 December,
1705 at Chamkaur Sahib between Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on one hand and these two armies on the other both the elder sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji earned Martyrdom. In the sacred memory of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the village Brahman Majra Gurdwara Sri Gurugarh Sahib has been establish.

On December 8, 1705 Jani Khan and Mani Khan Ranghar took the two younger
Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji and their grandmother to Sirhind and
handed them over to Wazir Khan who had just returned from the battle of Chamkaur Sahib
with Guru Sahib and was full of vengeance. He immediately put all of them in the Cold Tower
of the Fort. A devout Sikh Moti Ram Mehra Ji, not caring for the anger of the Mughals visited
the Cold Tower and served them milk. As per Wazir Khan's orders, on December 9, 1705
Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh Ji and Fateh Singh Ji were produced before him. He tried to tempt
them with promises of wealth and honour if they adopted Islam. But both of them rejected his
offer bravely. Wazir Khan repeatedly threatened them that if they do not accept Islam they
would be put to death. But they remained firm in their faith. Wazir Khan finally announced
death sentence for them if they did not accept Islam. Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan Ji of
Malerkotla intercepted and protested that these two young children were innocent and it would
be utter cruelty to kill them. On the contrary, Suchcha Nand a courtier of Wazir Khan as quoted
from a Persian poet said 'the progeny of a serpent shall grow up as serpants, and he is not
wise who forgets that a wolf's offspring shall be a wolf. Therefore, no mercy should be shown
to them.' Thus, remaining staunch in his decision Wazir Khan ordered that they be sealed alive
in a wall if they refused to accept Islam. For another two days they were kept in the Cold Tower
along with their paternal grandmother Mata Gujri JI in the severe wintry weather. On
December 11, 1705 under the orders of Wazir Khan they were to be paved alive with bricks
standing on the ground at a place 5 kms north of Sirhind near the Cold Tower. However, in
constructing the wall around them when the masons reached above the chest height of the
younger Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, it crumbled and inspite of their best efforts they could not
complete it. The two Sahibzadas were again sent to the Cold Tower. The next day i.e. on
December 12 they were again given the choice to get converted to Islam or embrace death.
They firmly chose death and bravely faced the executioner's sword. In the fond memory of the
martyrs Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh
Sahib stands at the sacred site of their martyrdom and this town as well as the District is now
known as Fatehgarh Sahib after the name of the younger Sahibzada.
On hearing the sad news of death of her grandsons, Mata Gujri Ji died of shock. During
the night of December 12 the sacred bodies of these three martyrs were kept at a place about
100 meters to the east from the site of martyrdom just outside the fort wall where now stands
Gurdwara Sri Bimangarh Sahib. As per historical evidence, Seth Todar Mall Ji an influential
and rich trader of Sirhind decided to perform the last rites, but in view of the ire of Mughals
none would give him a piece of land for this purpose. At last Chaudhri Atta Ji agreed to sell
him as much land as he could cover with gold mohars. Thus Seth Todar Mall Ji cremated the
three sacred corpses at a place about one and a half kilometer to the south-east from the site
of martyrdom of the Sahibzadas where now stands Gurdwara Sri Joti Sarup Sahib. Sardar
Jodh Singh Ji a devout Sikh of Attevali village put the sacred ashes in an urn and burried them
at the same spot.
In the basement of Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib the wall which was constructed
on December 11, 1705 is still in existence though with certain changes. The pilgrims who had
visited this sacred place 65 years ago tell that at that time the original wall which was made of

small Sirhindi bricks joined with lime mortar was in existence and the crack which occurred on
one side of the wall while the masons were constructing it, was also visible. But now this wall
has been painted with a shining paint which has concealed its original form. Lacs of Sikh
pilgrims visit this sacred place every year to pay homage to the young martyrs Sahibzada
Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji. The pilgrims also pay their obeisance at
Gurdwara Sri Qatalgarh Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, District Ropar the place of martyrdom of
the two elder Sahibzadas – Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji.
The pilgrims also pay their obeisance at Gurdwara Sahib Mata Gujri Ji, which is close
to the main Gurdwara, where the two Sahibzadas along with their grandmother Mata Gujri Ji
were detained from December 8 to December 12, 1705 and where on December 12, 1705
Mata Gujri Ji, on hearing about the death of her grandsons had breathed her last.
A Muslim poet Allayar Khan Jogi in his poem in urdu Ganj-e-Shaheedan (1913) has
given a touching narration of the whole incident commemorating the cruelty of the Mughal
empire and the fearlessness of the young Sahibzadas. He recited this poem in large
gatherings of Sikhs in the second and third decades of the 20th century.
One historian has given 1704 as the year of martyrdom of the Sahibzadas. During the
tercentenary program which was held in 2004 over one million pilgrims paid their obeisance
at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and other Gurdwaras in Fatehgarh Sahib where at each
place they had to stand up in queues for four hours. The pilgrims also paid their homage at
Gurdwara Sri Qatalgarh Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib and at Gurdwara Sri Joti Sarup Sahib,
the place where the three martyrs were cremated. At these Gurdwaras also the pilgrims had
to stand up in queues for four hours.
It is worth mentioning that when in 1710 Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji's forces killed
Wazir Khan and conquered Sirhind as well as in 1764 when forces of Dal Khalsa killed Zain
Khan whom Ahmed Shah Abdali had appointed faujdar of Sirhind, no memorial was raised at
the place of cremation of the young martyrs and their grandmother. Therefore, when Maharaja
Karam Singh of Patiala wanted to re-build Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib he tried to locate
the exact spot of cremation. He was successful in discovering the urn containing the sacred
ashes and in 1843 he constructed a Gurdwara at this spot and named it Gurdwara Sri Joti
Sarup Sahib. A century later, in 1944 Maharaja Yadvindra Singh of Patiala instituted a
committee for renovation of Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Joti Sarup
Sahib. As a result, in 1955 two upper storeys and a dome were added to Gurdwara Sri Joti
Sarup Sahib. In the meantime, in 1951 when a Jodhpur Prince Himmat Singh married
Princess Shailendra Kaur of Patiala, the Maharaja of Jodhpur donated money for constructing
a separate shrine dedicated to the sacred memory of Mata Gujri Ji. Consequently, on the
ground floor in the south-western corner of the circumbulatory verandh a samadh in the form
of a small square canopied platform was built with white marble.
This year i.e., in 2024 the 319th Shahidi Zor Mela (Pandarwara) will be held during
December 15-29. On December 20, 21, 22 the Sabha will be held at Gurdwara Sri Qatalgarh
Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, District Ropar and the pilgrims will pay their homage to the two elder
Sahibzada’s Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji.
During December 20-22 Akhand Sahib will be performed at Gurdwara Sri Garhi
Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib. On December 22 at 12.00 noon Amrit (Nectar) Sanchor will take place. On December 22 at 9.00 A.M. Nagar Kirtan will commence from Gurdwara Gahi Sahib,

Chamkaur Sahib and going through all the Gurdwara will culminate at Gurdwara Sri
Qatalgarh Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib.
From December 25, the venue of the Sabha will be Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib
and on 25, 26, 27, 28 the programmes will be as follows:
During December 25-27, 2024 Akhand Path will be performed at Gurdwara Sri Joti
Sarup Sahib. From December 25 to December 28 religious Dewan will be held in the Todar
Mall Dewan Hall in front of the Gurdwara Sri Thanda Burj Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib.
On the night of 26th December a special Kavi Sammelan will be started and will
continue till 1.00 p.m. on December 27. On December 27 at 9.00 a.m. Nagar Kirtan will start
from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and will culminate at Gurdwar Sri Joti Sarup Sahib.
On December 27 at 2.00 p.m. Armit (Nectar) Sanchar will take place at Gurdwara Sri
Fatehgarh Sahib. During December 20-28 everyday Katha will be held in the early morning
to highlight the life and valour evinced by the Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Every day from 6.00 p.m. to 11.00 a.m. Safar-e-Shahadat Gurmat Smagam will be
held. The details of the programme are being given below:
21 December, 2024 Gurdwara Sahib Chhann Baba Kumma Mashki Ji, village Chakk
Dhera Ropar.
22 December, 2024 Gurdwara Sri Attak Sahib, village Saheri, Tehsil Morinda, Distt.
Ropar.
23 December, 2024 Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib, Morinda, Distt. Ropar.
24 December, 2024 Gurdwara Sri Thanda Burj Sahib, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.
On December 27 Nagar Kirtan will commence from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib
and will culminate at Gurdwara Sri Joti Sarup Sahib, the cremation place of Sahibzada
Zorawar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Fateh Singh JI and Mata Gujri Ji. The Nagar Kirtan will pass
through all the Gurdwaras where Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Fateh Singh JI and
Mata Gujri Ji stopped during the martyrdom Journey.
Every year lacs of Sikh pilgrims participate in this heart rendering Nagar Kirtan to pay
homage to Mata Gujri Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji.

HAIL THE YOUNG MARTYRS!

(1) (2) (3)

The place where the two Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara Sri Thanda Burj
younger Sahibzadas Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib
Sahibazada Zorawar Singh Ji
and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji
were bricked alive, Fatehgarh Sahib

(4) (5) (6)

Gurdwara Sri Chhann Baba Gurdwara Sri Amai Sahib, Gurdwara Sri Rath Sahib,
Kumma Mashki Ji, Saheri, Tehsil Morinda Saheri, Tehsil Morinda,
Chak Dhera, Distt. Ropar Distt. Ropar Distt. Ropar

(7) (8) (9)

Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib, Gurdwara Sri Joti Sarup Sahib, Gurdwara Sri Qatalgarh Sahib,
Morinda, Distt Ropar Fatehgarh Sahib Chamkaur Sahib, Distt. Ropar

Gurdwara Sri Gurugarh Sahib,

Ropar Dr. Amrit Kaur Retd. Professor Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab