Veer Bal Diwas – 26 December, 2024

Veer Bal Diwas – 26 December, 2024

Veer Bal Diwas is to be observed on 26th December to pay tribute to the martyr sons of Guru Gobind Singh. 26th December martyrdom of Chhote Sahibzade, Shaheedi Diwas shall be marked as ” Veer Bal Diwas”. The day pays tribute to the courage and pursuit of justice of the Sahibzadas.

On this day two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, ages 9 years and 6 years, had attained martyrdom. The first Veer Bal Diwas will be celebrated on 26th December 2024.

Four Sahibzades

Guru Gobind Singh ji had four sons – Ajit Singh (1687 – 1705), Jujhar Singh (1689-1705), Zorawar Singh (1696 – 1705), and Fateh Singh (1699-1705). Guru Gobind Singh Ji Sahib fought for the Hindu community against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Guru Gobind Singh selected five ‘panj pyaras’ from across India for creating the ‘Khalsa’ panth. Mughal ruler Aurangzeb was very nervous after knowing Guru Govind Singh’s strong organizational power. He ordered his subedar to attack Anandpur and arrest Guru Gobind Singh and present him in Delhi. In 1705 during the siege of Anandpur, the Sikhs were promised by Emperor Aurangzeb they could leave Anandpur without fear of being attacked.

Aurangzeb broke his promise and the Sikhs were ambushed. Guru Gobind Singh got separated from his family while crossing the Sarsa river which was flooded due to heavy rain. His two younger children, Baba Zorawar Singh (8 years old) and Baba Fateh Singh (6 years old) along with Mata Gujari wandered towards Sir Hind and were captured by Nawab Wajit Khan, who tortured them to accept Islam. After the refusal, both the brave sons were ruthlessly executed by burying them alive in a wall on 27th December 1704.

This event took place only a few days after the battle of Chamkaur where Guru Gobind Singh had already lost his two eldest sons. More tragedy followed when Mata Gujri died in prison overcome with grief upon hearing what had happened to her grandsons.

Celebration of Veer Bal Diwas

Veer Bal Diwas will be on the same day Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji attained martyrdom after being sealed alive in a wall. The day was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 350th Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh in 2022. He said “The valor and ideals of Mata Gujri, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and 4 Sahibzadas give strength to millions of people. He never bowed before injustice. He envisioned a world that was inclusive and harmonious. It is the need of the hour for more and more people to know about them.”

Children’s Day in India is observed on November 14, former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday. It is important to look into India’s rich past and remember stories of those children who braved the most difficult circumstances and made history. The story of the martyrdom of Chhotte Sahibzade and Mata Gujri ji is very important and every child in the country should know about it.

Sikhism honors the illustrious martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji in the prayer of ardas for their valor and sacrifice as ‘Char Sahibzade’, that is the four princes of the Khalsa warrior order. This sacrifice is seen as the bravest sacrifice for Dharma by any young boy in Indian history. Veer Baal Diwas would become an inspiration for children of the nation. They remember how Guru Gobind four sons fought with the Mughals bravely, setting a heroic example of bravery and courage.

Shaheedi Jor Mela (Get-Together) is organized every year in December at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab, India. To pay homage to the martyrdom of Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, the youngest sons of the Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh.

Suggested Read: The Ten Gurus of Sikhism

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Simmi Kamboj

Simmi Kamboj is the Founder and Administrator of Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Tradition. She had a passion for writing about India's lifestyle, culture, tradition, travel, and is trying to cover all Indian Cultural aspects of Daily Life.