- The Prime Minister praised the Sahibzade, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the eleventh Sikh Guru, for their bravery and sacrifice.
- The martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh is commemorated on this day, which was declared on January 9, 2022.
Veer Bal Divas: Remembrance Day
- Veer Bal Divas was founded to honour the young Sahibzade slain between the ages of 6 and 9.
- The Legacy of Guru Gobind Singh: Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs and the founder of the Khalsa, is an important figure in Sikh history.
The Legend of the Sahibzades
- Sahibzada’s Meaning: In Punjabi, “Sahibzada” means “son,” and refers to Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons.
- Sacrificial Week is observed from December 21 to 27 in commemoration of the Sahibzades’ sacrifices for Sikhism and Hinduism.
- Martyrdom for Faith: Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, and Fateh Singh were martyred while protecting their faith against forced conversion.
Backstory of Their Martyrdom
- Khalsa Panth and Anandpur Sahib: In December 1704 during Aurangzeb’s invasion, Guru Gobind Singh departed Anandpur Sahib with his family.
- Capture and Martyrdom: The younger Sahibzades were taken by Subedar Wazir Khan of Sirhind and subjected to religious conversion pressure, which resulted in their terrible martyrdom.
- The Sacrifice of the Elder Sahibzades: The elder Sahibzades, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, were martyred in the battle of Chamkaur in 1705.
Consequences and Historical Implications
- When Guru Gobind Singh learned of their martyrdom, he wrote the ‘Zafarnama’ to Aurangzeb, expressing the Khalsa’s readiness to confront his dominion.
- Revenge of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: He avenged the martyrdom of the Sahibzades by punishing Wazir Khan and established Sikh authority in the region.
- The Sikh kingdom: This sacrifice cleared the path for Maharaja Ranjit Singh to subsequently construct a massive Sikh kingdom.
Importance in Indian History
- A Watershed Moment: The martyrdom of the Sahibzades is seen as a watershed moment in Indian history, and it is remembered with both respect and sadness.
- The names of the Sahibzades are honoured in the Sikh Ardas, symbolising their enduring legacy in Sikh faith and history.
Source: https://www.amarujala.com/delhi-ncr/pm-narendra-modi-participated-in-veer-bal-diwas-program-at-bharat-mandapam-of-pragati-maidan-2023-12-26