Courage Beyond Years

Shaheedi Diwas - Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (9 years of age) & Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji (7 years of age)

After the Parivaar Vichoda at the Sarsa River, the family of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was separated. Guru Sahib proceeded to Chamkaur Sahib with the Vadde Sahibzade, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji and Mata Sundri Ji went towards Delhi, while Mata Gujri Ji, along with the Chhote Sahibzade — Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (9 Years) and Baba Fateh Singh Ji (7 Years), continued the journey under the care of Gangu, a former cook of Guru Ghar.

Initially sheltered by Kuma, a devoted Muslim water carrier, Mata Ji and the Sahibzade were treated with reverence. Later, persuaded by Gangu’s assurances of safety, Mata Ji agreed to move to his home.

Tragically, during the night, Gangu stole their gold coins and later betrayed Mata Ji and the Sahibzade to the Mughal authorities by disclosing their whereabouts. The Mughal police arrested Mata Gujri Ji and the innocent young Sahibzade from Gangu’s house.

They were taken to Sirhind and lodged overnight in a cold, open tower called the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower). The bitter December winds cut through the high walls, yet the two Sahibzade remained calm and fearless.

At great risk, Baba Moti Ram Mehra Ji secretly carried hot milk for Mata Ji and the Sahibzade. This act of selfless seva is remembered even today. Tragically, Emperor Wazir Khan, enraged by this service, ordered Baba Moti Ram Ji and his family to be executed; they were crushed in a mill roller and attained Shaheedi.

The next morning, the police called the revered Sahibzade before Nawab Wazir Khan’s court. Though Mata Ji asked why they were summoned, the constables said they were only following orders. Mata Ji blessed her grandsons and encouraged them to uphold the holy traditions of the Gurus. Unshaken in spirit, the revered

Sahibzade walked boldly to the court.

Revered Sahibzade noticed the court gate was closed and only a small window was open, a tactic to force them to bow before Mughal authority. The Sahibzades wisely stepped foot first and then entered through the window without bowing, symbolically showing that no worldly power could bend their faith.

Inside the court, the young Sahibzade fearlessly greeted everyone with “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.” When Nawab Wazir Khan tried to persuade them to abandon Sikhi with promises of wealth and comfort, the Sahibzade stood firm and declared,

“Saada Sir Jaave tan Jaave, par Saada Sikhi Sidak Naa Jaave.”

(We may lay down our lives, but we will never forsake our faith.)

Despite all attempts to intimidate or bribe them, the Sahibzade remained resolute. Nawab Wazir Khan and Dewan Sucha Nand urged punishment, the Qazi pronounced a harsh sentence, the Sahibzade were to be bricked alive inside a wall. Even when faced with this cruel order, Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji remained fearless and unshaken, affirming their devotion to Sikhi. As the wall was raised brick by brick around them, the Sahibzade continued to recite Japji Sahib, and when offered one last chance to renounce their faith, they boldly declared:

“Death cannot frighten us; we will not give up our faith.”

Moved by their courage, people in the crowd wept and admired the young Sahibzade, acknowledging their bravery beyond their ages.

As the wall was raised completely around the Sahibzade, they became unconscious. Soon after, the wall collapsed. The executioners then brought the Sahibzade out and martyred them. Upon receiving the news, Mata Gujri Ji left her body and attained liberation.

Upon receiving the news of the martyrdom of the Chhote Sahibzade, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji drew a plant from the earth with the tip of arrow and foretold that this sacrifice would lead to the uprooting of the Mughal Empire. This marked the beginning of the end of Mughal oppression and inspired future Sikh warriors, including Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, who later liberated Sirhind and established Sikh Raj.

There is no parallel in human history to the Shaheedi of such young souls, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (9 years) and Baba Fateh Singh Ji (7 years), who stood firm in faith against tyranny.