This past week we commemorated the martyrdom of Mata Gujri ji, Sahibzade Baba Fateh Singh (6), Baba Zoravar Singh (9), along with Baba Jujhar Singh (14), Baba Ajit Singh (18) and numerous Sikhs who were martyred at Chamkaur in 1705.

They confronted the might of the Mughal Empire at such young ages, and withstood its threats and temptations. It was not an ordinary deed, and yet it was not even a fairy tale from a magical angle. It is an account of four young individuals, two very young, in flesh and blood, with soaring spirits exhibiting heroic character.

But, how is such a superhuman response even possible?

This was probably possible by consistent training and education from an early age. The children were well aware of their heritage: who they were, what their ideals were, and what they stood for. In the warm care of Mata Gujri ji, the younger ones displayed exemplary resilience, awareness and conviction.

As Dr. Pran Nath Chopra notes in Some Aspects of Society and Culture during the Mughal Age, “The fact that the children of the Guru’s household acquired proficiency in learning, fighting, and administration at a very early age shows that their education began quite early, probably at the age of four, Guru Teghbahadur fought in the Kartarpur battle when he was a little over 13, Guru Hari Rai became the Guru at the age of 14, Guru Harkrishan at the age of 6 and Guru Gobind Singh at the age of 9. This shows education and training of these gifted children started quite early, at the age of four the latest.”

In the words of Allah Yar Khan Jogi:

With folded hands, spoke two beloved sons of the Guru,
Why are you the pious so aggrieved?
When there is a great need for sacrifice to the Panth,
Then why should we be concerned about a trivial thing like life…
We sacrifice our lives, to make the lives of others better,
We lift the burden of Sikhi’s foundation on our head,
Legacy of the Guru’s house we have established in this world.
We have planted the sapling of Sikh sovereignty.
The nation shall now receive the crown and the throne,
And with it remove every sign of cruelty from this world.

     Shahidan-e-Vafa (on younger Sahibzade)

‍

I had told the Father to give his life for righteousness.
Now I say so to you, go and give yourself for righteousness…
Go walk; I give you to “Allah.”
Die or kill; I give you to “Allah.”
Do not forsake the Divine; I give you to “Allah.”
Give Sikhi a life; I give you to “Allah.”
May Vahiguru give you strength to fight.
You seem thirsty, may the Divine give you a taste of martyrdom…
When in the form of Nanak, I meet you hereafter tell me that…
While the neck of Adam’s son was saved.
Even the children were sacrificed for the sake of the rest.

     Ganj-e-Shahida (on elder Sahibzade)

‍

Mata Gurji ji, Sahibzade, and the martyred Sikhs never lost sight of the message of the Beloved. They annihilated themselves on the path to assert their dignity and sovereignty. The ideal way to honour their legacy is to make ourselves and our children worthy of their sacrifice. Let us educate our children about our rich heritage and culture, and make them strong members of the community and responsible citizens of this world.