Chaar Sahibzaade: The four beloved princes
“Shaheed mukat jin kiya
So sach sabna jiya”
Meaning: “He alone is a martyr, and liberated, who dies while speaking the truth for all beings.”
Mentioned in the revered Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, these verses reflect the valor and selflessness of the martyrs. Throughout history, the Sikh faith has embraced martyrdom with unwavering bravery. Fearless in truth, relentless in sacrifice, its preachers have given everything, fathers and sons alike, without any hesitation or grief. This is the religion that has not complained but thanked even upon death.
The first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, preached equality and universal love. He championed the freedom to pursue one’s spiritual path and respect for all beliefs. In contrast, the Mughals and Turks asserted their uniqueness, imposing their religion and faith on diverse communities. Aurangzeb’s reign (1658–1707) cast a shadow of oppression over non-Muslims, driven by his relentless zeal to Islamize Hindustan.
Facing this turmoil, troubled Kashmiri Pandits sought refuge at Anandpur Sahib, seeking help from Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji [ the ninth Sikh guru]. On listening to the plight of the pandits, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s 8-year-old son, Gobind Rai, stood in the crowded court, urging his father to speak out against injustice. In response, Guru Ji declared that it was time to challenge the rule and confront the Mughal authority head-on. He proclaimed the moment ripe for the ultimate sacrifice for justice. Despite being aware of what the risks challenging the Mughal rule holds, young Gobind Rai fearlessly implored his father to lead by example.
Responding to destiny’s call, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji chose Gobind Rai as the 10th Sikh Guru. With head held high and resolve firm, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji embarked on a journey to Delhi, driven by a mission to defend the weak and the oppressed. Upon reaching the Delhi Darbar, Guru Ji boldly confronted Aurangzeb, daring the latter to convert him to Islam. He laid down a challenge, stating that if Aurangzeb succeeded in this endeavour, all followers of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji would willingly embrace Islam as well. Overwhelmed by such bravery, Aurangzeb ordered Guru Ji’s arrest and commanded that no effort be spared to break his resolve. To intimidate Guru Ji, the three volunteers who accompanied him—Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dyala Ji—were martyred right before his eyes through extreme torture. Bhai Mati Das Ji’s body was brutally sawed in half, Bhai Sati Das Ji was wrapped in cotton and burned alive, and Bhai Dyala Ji was boiled in a cauldron of boiling water. Despite these horrific tortures, the three of them attained martyrdom while chanting the Guru’s name. Aurangzeb employed such diabolical schemes to weaken Guru Ji’s resolve, but Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, whose very name signifies courage (“Bahadur”), was unfamiliar with fear. With unwavering determination to challenge the ego of the Mughals, Guru Ji endured every hardship, chanting the words: “Tera kiya mitha lage, har naam padarath Nanak mange” [“Whatever You do, O Lord, tastes sweet to me; Nanak seeks Your Name as the only treasure.”]. When all means and schemes failed, Aurangzeb issued a decree to behead Guru Ji. On November 11, 1675, in Chandni Chowk, where today Gurudwara Sees Ganj Sahib has been constructed, before a large crowd, an executioner separated Guru Ji’s head from his body. Guru Ji’s martyrdom symbolized the defeat of Mughal oppression and stood as a lesson that speaking out against injustice is everyone’s foremost duty. Enduring oppression and orchestrating it are both sinful.
“Sacha soyi soyi rehya, jagat so vadpaghi”
Meaning: “He who is truly awake while others sleep is very fortunate.”
Inspired and motivated by his father’s bravery, Guru Gobind Rai made it his life’s mission to empower the weak and imbue them with courage and fearlessness to stand against injustice and speak for the truth. On April 13, 1699, Guru Gobind Rai initiated the five beloved ones (Panj Pyare) with Amrit, founding the Khalsa Panth [Order of the pure ones]. The Khalsa Panth was a community that would neither fear anyone nor instil fear in others, one that would never harm the innocent nor spare the oppressor, a community that would always stand by the truth and never fear raising its voice against injustice.
“Chidiya naal mai baaj ladavan
Gidhra no mai sher badavan
Sava lakh naal ik ladavan
Tab he Gobind singh naam dharavan”
Translated as, “I will make the sparrows fight with the hawks,
I will make the lions roar against the jackals,
I will make one fight against a hundred thousand.
Only then will I take up the name Gobind Singh.”
It symbolizes Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s commitment to empowering the weak and instilling them with the courage to confront overwhelming odds. In the battle for righteousness, truth, and justice, Guru Gobind Singh Ji sacrificed everything he possessed, even his Chaar Sahibzaade [the four beloved princes]!
Sri Anandpur Sahib, where only joy resided, was a city where Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth and motivated everyone not to bow before anyone. In the vibrant garden of colourful happiness at Anandpur, four flowers blossomed — they were the four sons of Guru Ji, the Chaar Sahibzaade. They illuminated and adorned the entire city of Anandpur with their laughter, playfulness, and innocence.
In the ruthless reign of the Mughal Empire, the splendour of Anandpur Sahib was a ray of hope for everyone. While the Mughals enforced their religion forcefully on people, Guru Ji and His adorned Khalsa Panth opposed it. Influenced by Guru Ji’s teachings and vision, people from every caste and religion would join his army, raising their voices against injustice. Perturbed by Guru Ji’s expanding army, the ruler of Sir hind, Wazir Khan, and the hill chiefs [Pahari Raja] were uncertain about their next move in response to this situation. Guru ji’s increasing strength had become the primary cause of their concern. The name of Guru Ji alone made every Mughal soldier tremble, let alone confronting him in battle. Wazir Khan fought many battles against Guru Ji, only to be defeated each time. Eventually, troubled and desperate, he forged an alliance with the Pahari Raja in a bid to find a solution.
Finally, the Mughals besieged the fort of Anandpur, and the battle began. Six months passed, and due to the rising waters of the Sirsa River, diseases spread and revolts among the soldiers started to brew. Conditions within the fort of Anandpur deteriorated as well; after six months of siege, food and water supplies were limited. Hunger became so severe that 100 Sikh soldiers decided to leave Guru Sahib. Guru Ji sent a message through his mother’s [ Mata Gujri Ji’s] hands, offering that those who wished to leave the fort to save their lives could do so, with the condition that they sign a document declaring that from that day forward, they were no longer Sikhs of Guru Ji, and he was no longer their Guru. 100 Sikhs wanted to leave, but only 40 did; the others conscience did not allow them. Seeing this, the Mughals thought that if the fort emptied on its own, their goal would be achieved. Eventually, the Pahari Raja and the Mughals approached Guru Gobind Singh Ji for negotiation. They proposed that if Guru Ji vacated the fort of Anandpur, the Mughals and the Pahari Raja swore oaths on the Quran and their Gau Mata, promising that the battle would end right there. Guru Ji accepted this proposal upon the insistence of his close companions. And Guru Ji decided to evacuate the fort of Anandpur. However, he was suspicious of the intentions of the Mughals and the Pahari Raja, so he decided that the fort would be vacated in two groups: women, elders, and children would go towards Delhi, while the remaining would stay behind to protect everyone from the rear. And then the mountain of sorrows crumbled so severely that the four brothers, who had never been apart from each other even for a minute, were separated. The younger Sahibzaade, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, had to go towards Delhi with their grandmother and mother, while the elder Sahibzaade, Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, stayed behind with Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the rest of the army to protect everyone until the end. Where the younger brothers did not want to leave their elder brothers, they controlled their emotions as they were forced to depart. The younger Sahibzaade made a promise to their elder brothers that wherever they may be, they would always find a way to join them, no matter what. And the promise was fulfilled indeed!
“Veere Galleh Mille’h Ne, Kaisa Milaap Hoyea
Chupp Chaap Royye Taare, Aasmaan V Royea”
Translated as, “Brothers embraced, such a union occurred,
Silently wept the stars, and the heavens mourned.”
They promised to meet again no matter what, but somewhere deep down, perhaps they knew they were parting in such a moment that they might never meet again. The separation from Anandpur was so poignant that everyone, young and old, were separated from each other.
Just as Guru Ji had anticipated, the combined forces of the Mughals and Pahari Raja, breaking their oaths and agreements, attacked the Khalsa army. However, the Khalsa army, pre-prepared for such situation, courageously resisted this attack. On one side, where only a few hundred Singhs were facing off the thousands of the Mughal army, while on the other side, the water level of the Sirsa River was rising and its flow was becoming faster. It was becoming difficult to ferry children and elders across the river. Without bothering for their own lives, the Khalsa Army was adamant to prevent the Mughal army from advancing towards Sirsa. Finally, as fate would have it, due to the swift flow and rising waters of the Sarsa River, Guru Ji’s family got separated from each other. Mata Sundar Kaur Ji [ mother of the chaar sahibzaade] travelled to Delhi with her group, Guru Ji and the elder Sahibzaade arrived at Chamkaur Sahib with their contingent. The younger Sahibzaade and their grandmother, Mata Gujar Kaur ji, met with Gangu [ an old servant of the household], who took them to his village.
The news of Guru Ji’s arrival at Chamkaur Sahib spread like wildfire. The Mughals issued a decree that anyone who aided Guru Ji or his army would face death as punishment. And then, against only 42 soldiers of the Khalsa army, Wazir Khan encircled the fort of Chamkaur Sahib with a force of 100,000 troops, demonstrating how much the Mughal army feared the courage of the Sikhs. The Sikhs also resolved to show the enemy how one Sikh could be equivalent to a hundred thousand.
Guru Sahib knew what the next day would bring, so how would have he slept that night? Contemplating, Guru Ji approached the resting army, like a father coming to his sleeping children. Guru ji walked silently with humble steps.
“Bhakti se mureedo ki pehel rahe the Satguru,
Dekh kr har ek ko Guru deedare tarse,
Jinn singho ne kal maut ke sahil tha utarna,
Kal subah tha jin Khalsa ne jang mai marna.
Satuguru singho ko niharte thodi aur aage aye
Sahibzaade jaha dono hi soye huye paye,
Jigar ke tukdo se jab hua guzarna
Mushkil hua phir iss jagah se kadam aage ko dharna,
Soochte the, kal dono hi parwaan chadege,
Par khuddar mere, Sachkhand mai tum chehen kroge,
Chooma kabhi halkoom, tehen choomne bethe,
Jaise dharti pr soye, do kamal choomne bethe
Sir theek kiye sarke huye,
Zakham bhare marham se,
Safe kabhi singho ke bichate-uthate zameen se,
Ulfat ke yeh jazbe nhi dekhe kabhi humne,
Reh dekhna baat, kabhi sune bhi nhi humne
Kartaar ki sogand hai, Nanak ki kasam hai
Jitni bhi ho, Guru Gobind ki tareef, vo kam hai!”
Translated as,
“With devotion, the True Guru led his disciples,
Witnessing each thirsting for the Guru’s sight,
Those lions ready to cross death’s threshold tomorrow,
In the morning, those Khalsa destined to die.
Satguru advanced a step further,
Where both sahibzaade lay asleep,
When it was difficult to move forward from the place,
He thought, tomorrow both would take flight,
But he remarked, ‘My courageous ones, you shall attain Sachkhand’.
He caressed them tenderly, leaning in gently,
As if kissing lotus blooms on earth,
Tended to the wounds of the other disciples with care,
Laid blankets upon them,
Such depths of love we’ve never witnessed,
Never seen or heard such affection.
By the Creator’s oath, by Nanak’s vow,
No matter the praise, it falls short for Guru Gobind Singh!”
The next day, after seeking permission from Guru Ji, the Sikhs decided to march outside the fort in group of five to confront the enemy until their last breath. Many groups went and attained martyrdom. Then, Guru Ji’s eighteen-year-old son, Baba Ajit Singh Ji, decided that he would lead the next group. The entire Khalsa army opposed this decision, explaining to Ajit Singh Ji that it was his duty to lead and guide the Khalsa Panth in future, and that his loss would irreparably harm the Khalsa Panth. But ultimately, he too was the son of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In response, he said that the Khalsa Panth is not dependent on relationships, and that he should be seen with the same view as other soldiers.
He exclaimed,
“Naam Mera Ajit hai, Jitya Nahi Javanga,
Jitya Gaya Agar, Jeonda Nahi Aavanga!”
The worried Khalsa army requested Guru Ji to restrict Ajit Singh ji from going into the battle. However, Guru Ji happily sent Ajit Singh Ji to the battlefield and thereby showed that Mata Gujri’s son did not just have the desire to sacrifice the sons of others; rather, for the sake of the community, he was willing to sacrifice even his own son.
After taking the blessing of his Guru Pita, biding adieu to his younger brother, and praying to Waheguru, Baba Ajit Singh Ji set out for battle.
“Jeonde Ajit singh ne inj veerta dikhaayi,
Kacchi garhi nu bhejhi Chamkaur ton vidaayi,
Jaldi jujhaar nu si, Raste ohnu dikhaaye,
Nakshe saheediyaa de, Chote nu oh vakhaaye,
Translated as,
“Warrior Ajit Singh displayed exemplary bravery on the battleground,
Finally, he bid adieu to those in the fort from his deathbed,
Impatiently waited Jujhar Singh to go his brother’s way,
Ajit Singh showed his younger brother the path to martyrdom”
Following his elder brother’s footsteps, Baba Jujhar Singh ji asked permission from Guru Ji to join the battle. Although everyone tried to explain to Jujhar Singh that he was only 14 years old and hadn’t completed even his training, he still insisted that while he may not be skilled in swordsmanship, he was not so inexperienced that he could not die after defeating 8 to 10 opponents.
“Fir aap gurupita ne, shashtar ohnu sajaye
Anmol eh khajaane, hatthi kiwen lutaaaye”
Meaning: “Then, Guru Ji himself adorned Jujhar Singh with weapons and sacrificed his precious gems {his sons} himself.”
In the battlefield, Jujhar Singh displayed a spectacular show of bravery. After defeating many, he challenged the Mughal commander that he would only fall after defeating 20 more. And ironically, still in training, Jujhar Singh, bravely met his end by striking down the Mughal commander!
“Gobind Ne laal pyaare, Jung vich paye nihaare
Baani de bol neyaare, Aidaan jiwen uchaare
‘Mera mujhh mein kich nahi, jo kich hai so tera.
Tera tujhh ko saumpte, kya laage mera’
Putt pa gaye shaheedi, taanhvi shukar manaaye
Jisne si laal bakshe, lekhe use de laaye”
Translated as,
“Gobind has adorned his beloved ones in battle,
With clear words like flowing water of the Gurbani, he speaks with grace,
His own sons attained martyrdom, yet he gives thanks,
To the one who bestowed such strength upon them, as it was destined.”
Guru ji exclaimed,
“Mera mujh mai kich nhi
Jo kich hai so tera
Tera tujh ko saumpte,
Kya lage mera”
Translated as, “Nothing is mine in myself, whatever exists is yours. Offering what is yours to you, how can it be mine?”
Crux: “my sons belonged to you O Lord, so I sacrifice them for you”
Unaware of their brothers’ martyrdom, the chote sahibzaade would ask Mata Gujri Ji daily about when their brothers would come to take them. Little did they know that fate had decreed that their brothers would not come to take them, but rather they would journey to Sachkhand [ the heavenly abode] themselves.
In greed for money, Gangu leaked the information to the Mughals about the presence of the Sahibzaade and Mata Ji in his house. Despite deploying a large army, Wazir Khan couldn’t capture Guru Ji, so he glorified himself by arresting Guru Ji’s young sons and elderly mother.
“Dadi de naal poote, sirhind nu jaa rahe ne,
Jaake shaheed hona, par muskura rahe ne”
In Sirhind, Wazir Khan ordered that Mata Ji and the princes be imprisoned in the Cold Tower (Thanda Burj). It was known so because it was extremely cold and painful to live in during winters. The heartless Wazir Khan, in the month of December, imprisoned young children aged 5 and 9, along with the elderly Mata Ji, in the Thanda Burj. And what was their fault, that they were the sons and mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji? In the piercing cold of the Thanda Burj, Mata Gujri Ji was trying to hide her tears of worry for her grandsons but couldn’t conceal them. Seeing tears in their grandmother’s eyes, the sahibzaade made her remember the lessons she herself taught them.
“Akal purukh jo krta hai theek krta hai
Oski marzi bina pata bhi nhi hilta
Oske bure kaam mai bhi achayi hoti hai
Par hum oss achayi ko na samjhne ki galti kr beththe hai
Aur dukh paate hai”
Mata Ji said, “If both of you remember my words to this extent my sons, then I will never forget that you are the grandchildren of my lion son, and I am his mother.”
There, Wazir Khan decided with his courtiers that they would try every tactic possible to convert Guru Ji’s sons to Islam, to exact revenge from Guru Ji. The Sahibzaade were summoned to the court for their first appearance. Wazir Khan had ordered that the main entrance door of the court be closed, and a small one be opened so that the Sahibzaade had to enter with bowed heads. However, the Sahibzaade were Sahibzaade; indeed, they entered with heads held high, and boldly greeted the court with Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, and left everyone astonished. In their deceitful and cunning words, Wazir Khan and his courtier Sucha Nand tried to tempt the sahibzaade with every allure. They made promises, saying that if the sahibzaade accepted Islam, all their desires would be fulfilled. They also tried to frighten them, by telling them that Anandpur had been demolished, their elder brothers had been martyred in the battle of chamukar, and their Guru Pita would soon be captured. They warned that if the sahibzaade did not comply, they would be killed too. But those two brothers were no ordinary children. They smiled and said, “How can someone trust those whose intentions are not right? Our religion has taught us to die first. We don’t fear death”
“Pehla marn kabool
Jeevan ki chad aas
Ho sabna ki renuka
Tou aao humare paas”
The princes reminded the court how their grandfather, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, had sacrificed his life to protect someone else’s faith, and that it was impossible for his grandsons to renounce their own faith.
When all tactics failed, finally conceding defeat, Wazir Khan resorted to heartless cruelty, issuing a decree of martyrdom for the innocent Chote Sahibzaade. According to this decree, both children were to be bricked alive, where they would surrender their lives due to suffocation. Even upon hearing the decree of their own death, not a trace of fear appeared on the faces of the Guru’s beloved sons; instead, they felt profound sense of pride as their names would be included in the list of martyrs of the Sikh community. Upon hearing this news, the entire city trembled, foreseeing the impending wrath upon Sirhind. No mason agreed to enclose the children in the wall, and even Wazir Khan’s own wife made relentless efforts to prevent him from committing this unforgivable sin. However, he was not ready to listen to anybody. He lured two thief brothers in his prison into committing this sin. Finally, the morning arrived when the most monstrous display of inhumanity was to take place. The grandmother, who had lost her husband earlier and then was distanced by destiny from her son, was now preparing her two grandsons for the ultimate sacrifice.
‘Vela Aa Gaya Hai Dadi Ea Judaayi Da
Assan Ajj Muddh Ke Aauna Nayi
Tennu Dassiye Ki Kivve Ki Hona Hai
Assi Teri Akhiyan Nu Ralauna Nai’
Translated as,
“The time has come, grandma, for this separation,
Today we won’t return,
We can’t tell you how it’s going to be,
We won’t let tears fill your eyes again.”
The sahibzaade seek blessings from their grandmother and remarked, “Dadi, we have stood true to the lessons you taught us. Today, we will bring pride to our grandfather and father’s name.”
After bidding farewell to their grandmother, the two brothers set out on their journey towards Sachkhand. As the masons began to erect the standing wall, Fateh Singh Ji said to his brother, “Veer ji, you may have come into this world before me, but I am going to meet our grandfather before the three of you.” The entire Sirhind had gathered to witness this monstrous display, praying to God for mercy. The chote sahibzaade awaited their martyrdom, reciting Japji Sahib, prepared for what was to come. Excited to fulfil the promise they had given to their elder brothers; of joining them wherever they may be.
Finally, the wall was closed. The sahibzaade growled the JAI KARA and moments later, the wall collapsed. The sahibzaade laid unconscious. Finally, on Wazir Khan’s orders, the masons slit their throats. It is believed that Mata Gujar Kaur ji also breathed her last the same moment.
“Hum jaan de kar oro ki jaan bacha chale
Singho ki sultanate ka yeh podha laga chale”
Translated as,
We gave up our lives to save the lives of others. This is how we planted the seeds of the Sikh Sultanate.
When Guru Sahib was informed of how Wazir Khan had martyred his two sons, He plucked a small plant out of the ground with his arrow and said, “One can count on fingers the number of years this brutal Mughal regime will rule now”.
So it happened, the Mughals who ruled India for 200 years started to lose their grip on the country from thereon.
“Right has always won over the evil, and so it shall always”
After a span of 5 years, Banda Singh Bahadur attacked Sirhind. His companion, Fateh Singh beheaded Wazir Khan in a duel. Banda Singh Bahadur razed Sirhind to the ground and hoisted the Kesari Flag there.
The story of the Chaar Sahibzaade is not just a tale of sacrifice; it is a testament to the power of faith, courage, and the unwavering commitment to righteousness. The martyrdom of Guru Ji’s sons is not just a lesson for the Khalsa Panth, but for the entire world, that one should not bow before the wrong and should never turn away from truth.
The Chaar Sahibzaade adorned the Khalsa Panth with their bravery, fearlessness, unwavering resolve, love for righteousness, and their martyrdom, casting a radiant light upon it.
“Chaarah Disha’h Ch Goonji , Chaarah Di Eh Kahani
Chaarhi Jughi Na Hoyea , Chaarah Da Koi Saanhi,
Sikhi Sidak Nu Chaarah Ne Chaar Chaan Layye
Masrooor Ho Ke Mehma Sarra Jahaan Gayye…
Eh Chaar Sahibzaade”
By: Prabhgun Kaur
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