Veer Bal Diwas

In News

• Veer Bal Diwas was recently commemorated in India on December 26th for the first time.

More about the news

• About:
  • The day was observed to mark the martyrdom of Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji.
• Programs held:
  • Programme marking ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ was celebrated at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi where three hundred Baal Kirtanis performed ‘Shabad Kirtan’. 
  • On the historic occasion, the government of India organised interactive and participative programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially the young children, about the story of exemplary courage of the Sahibzades.

About the history of martyrdom 

• Army of Guru Gobind Singh:
  • Guru Gobind Singh was raising an army, which the neighbouring hill kings were not comfortable with. 
  • Khalsa:
    • In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa, which the hill kings and the Mughal empire saw as a threat. 
  • The kings had several battles with the Sikhs in the last decade of the 17th century, but had been unable to dislodge them from Anandpur Sahib.
    • The kings were also supported by the Mughal empire.
• Imprisonment:
  • The three – the 81-year-old Mata Gujari ji, and the two Sahibzade aged 7 and 9 – were imprisoned treacherously by the Mughal governor in the Thanda Burj (cold tower).
  • Allurment for conversion:
    • When the children were presented in court, they were offered riches and gifts and told to convert to Islam. 
    • They were told their father and elder brothers had been killed in the war. The Sahibzade refused to convert or to bow to Wazir Khan.
  • Killing:
    • After efforts to make them give up their religion failed, Wazir Khan decided that the boys would be bricked alive in 1704.
    • It is said that even as a wall was being erected around them, the Sahibzada stood unflinching. 
    • Two executioners then slit their throats, killing the younger, Sahibzada Fateh Singh, first. 
    • The same day, Mata Gujari ji died of shock.
  • Guru Gobind Singh’s mother Mata Gujari Ji, and two other sons, Sahibzaada Ajit Singh Ji (18) and Sahibzaada Jujhar Singh Ji (14), were also martyred within a week.
• The revenge:
  • A few years later, Baba Banda Singh Bhadur avenged the execution of the Sahibzade, by attacking and capturing Sarhand.

Source: TH