December: Jubilant carnivals and season of love is a month of winter celebrations, with Christmas marking the end of the year. The world is brightened by the festivities, as cities light up with the cheer and exuberance of holiday lights, bringing joy to people across the globe. In the name and glory of Santa Claus, everyone shares love and happiness feasting and celebrating with each other's and enjoying those cosy warm winters.
This month embraces the events throughout the year and manifests good for the upcoming year with the mercy of God.
Who could have ever thought that this month could also have an unsung story of young warriors centuries ago!?
While these chilling winters remind me of a time that dates back to the 1700s when Guru Gobind Singh Ji the Tenth Guru of Sikhs along with his family and four sons stood up to overthrow the tyrant Mughal siege. His four sons Baba Ajit Singh (18 years), Baba Jujhar Singh (16years), Baba Zorawar Singh (7 years) and Baba Fateh Singh (5 years) stood up against the tyranny and shook the society structure of that time. They fought as warriors and continued to inspire with the saga of their bravery even in modern times. Mata Gujar Kour mother of the Tenth Sikh Guru was aged 81 years her teachings and fathom of strength raised these brave Sahibzaade to stunn the Mughal courtyard irrespective of what deadly would await them.
The month of December brings along with it the month of Shahadat (martyrdom) of the family of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji tears roll out of eyes as the kingdom of Guru Sahib Anandpur Sahib (present-day Punjab) i.e place of birth of 'Khalsa' and his family were separated on the banks of Sarsa river and could never reunite again. Parivar Vichoda Gurudwara is situated on the banks of the Sarsa river which marks the separation of the family.
The Mughals were tyrant and oppressed the weaker sections of the society and the family of Guru Sahib taught us to overcome the dominance of the tyrant. While the family was separated Guru Sahib led the 'Battle of Chamkaur' (present-day Punjab) along with his two elder sons in 1704 which was fought between the Khalsa and a coalition of Mughals led by Wazir Khan.
The astonishing battle was fought between a handful of 40 Singhs and a 10 lakhs Mughal army at 'Chamkaur Di Garhi'.
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| Anandpur Sahib: Birthplace of Khalsa |
Quoting this battle, Guru Sahib said:
''Chiriya te mai Baaz Ladawa, Giddran toh main Sher banaun, Sawa Lakh se ek Ladawa, Tabhi Gobind Singh naam kahawa."
Meaning: (I will make sparrows fight falcons, I will make lions out of wolves, one individual against 1.25 lakh, then only will I call myself Gobind Singh.)
After this historic victory, Guru Sahib lost his elder sons but the warriors kept fighting until their last breath. The younger sons were arrested along with their grandmother at Sirhind (present-day Punjab) a year later in December. The 'Thanda Burj' located at the top of the palace was designed to capture cool breezes to provide comfort during summer. However, in December, North India faces harsh winters and crossing winds. During these dead winters, the younger sons along with the grandmother were left without food and water, making the situation worse. They were continuously forced to bow before the Mughals and accept their religion, after various pretentious efforts the two kids stunned the emperor in his assembly as they gave a glimpse of their faithfulness and dedication towards Panth and Guru Pita ( Guru Gobind Singh Ji).
'They taught the world that age can never define the endeavours or paths you choose to walk.'
The tyrant governance then decided on a deadly punishment to persist in their terrific impact on the rest of society. On December 25, 1705, Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar Singh were bricked alive into the walls. Although the four sons of Guru Sahib were martyred, their historic saga continues to be relived in the state of Punjab.
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| Guru Sahib and his four sons |
During December, as a tribute to the Shaheeds (martyred), Safar-e-Shahadat is initiated in the gurudwaras to mark the greatness of sacrifices and represent the glimpse of the grandeurs of Sikh warriors to coming generations and the world.
Sikhism has hailed from the chronology of sacrifices and has taught the world the lesson of the power of sacrifice.
December can be bewildering as some celebrate its glory and spread love, while others explore its historical significance and remember the unsung warriors in the pages of history.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this article, and I will bring to you a travelogue of the places in Punjab where the traces of history are preserved to mark the greatness of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his family.
TILL THEN
Happy Reading & Exploring!
https://karmanrants.blogspot.com/2025/07/a-friend-i-met.html
https://karmanrants.blogspot.com/2023/10/unstoppable-race-of-life.html
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