4 Sahibzaade, who is famous by the name of Khalsa Warriors were sons of Guru Gobind Singh, who was the leader of all the Sikhs presents in the Punjab region of India during the reign of the Mughal Empire, from the year 1526 to 1857.
Guru Gobind Singh had 3 wives and four sons. These 4 sons were Ajith, Zorawar, Fateh, and Jujhar. These 4 were famous by the name of 4 Sahibzaade. They were initiated into Khalsa and fought against the Mughal Empire.
All the 4 Sahibzaade were executed on the order of the Mughal emperor before the age of 19 years.
History of 4 Sahibzaade
The meaning of the word Sahibzaade is the son in the Punjabi language. The sons of Guru Gobind Singh, who was the tenth Sikh guru, was famous by the name of four Sahibzaade.
Out of the four brothers, the younger brothers were famous by the name of Chota Sahibzaade while the elder brothers were famous by name of Vaada Sahibzaade.
The Chota Sahibzaade pair were martyred together by Mughal army at a tender age of 6 and 9 years respectively.
While the pair of the elder brothers died fighting the enemy of thousands at the young age of 14 and 18 years respectively in the battle of Chamkaur Sahib.
Their Martyrdom is considered a very important part of the Sikh history and their sacrifice is always remembered and commemorated with great vigor and acute sadness.
On the 21st and 26th of December every year, the world remembers these 4 brave soldiers because it was these days in 1705 that the older Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh set for their heavenly abode.
And on 21st and 26th, the younger brothers Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh were cruelly and inhumanly martyred by the Mughal ruler of Sirhind.
Sahibzaada Ajit Singh
Sahibzada Ajit Singh was born in the year 1687 on the 26th of January, according to the pieces of evidence produced by the Sikh calendar called Vikram samvat.
He was the eldest son of Guru Gobind Rai and was born to the second wife of him named Sundari.
The meaning of his name was Invincible. He was given this particular name when he was initiated into the Khalsa at the tender age of 12 and he drank the immortal nectar along with his family members on the very first day of Vaisakhi on 13th April 1699.
He was martyred at the age of 18 on the 7th of December 1705 at Chamkor. He headed to leave the fortress and went to the battlefield with five Sikhs and lost his life for the glory of Sikhs.
Sahibzaada Fateh Singh
Sahibzada Fateh Singh was born on the 25th of February 1699 on the 11th day of the month Phagun. He was the youngest son of Guru Gobind Rai and was born to the first wife Jito. His name was given at the time of his birth which means victory.
He was initiated at the age of 3 in front of all the family members on the Vaisakhi day, 13 April 1699. He was martyred at a tender age of 6 on Sirhind Fatehgarh on the 12th of December 1705.
He along with his brother were bricked up alive but then an order was passed, which said that they should be beheaded. When both these brothers were beheaded, their grandmother Mata Gujri died because of shock in the prison Tower.
Sahibzaada Jujhar Singh
Sahibzada Jujhar Singh was born in the year 1691 on March 14. He was the second eldest son of Guru Gobind Rai and was born to the first wife Jito at Anandpur.
The meaning of his name is Warrior. He was initiated at eight years of age in front of his family members on the day of Baisakhi on 13th April 1699. Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa on the same day after the order of the warrior saints.
He was martyred at the age of 14 on the 7th of December 1705 Chamkaur. He has been linked with the crocodile for his fierceness in the battlefield.
Sahibzaada Zorawar Singh
Sahibzada Zorawar Singh was born on 17th November 1696. He was the third son of Guru Gobind Singh and was born from his first wife Jito at Anandpur. The meaning of the name Zorawar is synonyms to the word brave.
He was given this name at the age of 5 in a ceremony which was held on Vaisakhi 13th April 1699. He was martyred at the age of 6 on Sirhind Fatehgarh on December 12th, 1705.
Zorawar Singh was captured along with his brother Fateh Singh. Both these brothers were bricked up alive but later beheaded by the cruel Mughal emperor.
Who was Guru Gobind Singh?
Guru Gobind Singh was born on the 22nd of December 1666. He was named Govind Rai at the time of his birth and was the tenth Sikh guru along with a poet and philosopher.
His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded when he refused to convert into Islam. Because of this, Guru Gobind Singh was formally installed and chosen as the leader of the Sikhs at the age of 9 years only.
His four sons, who were famous by the name of 4 Sahibzaade, died during his lifetime in two different battles which were won by the Mughal Army.
Guru Gobind Singh is also known for his contributions to Sikhism and also for founding the community Khalsa in the year 1699. He also introduced the concept of five Ks which are Kangha, Kada, Kirpan, Kesh, and kachha.
Folklore of 4 Sahibzaade
The 4 Sahibzaade is considered to be a symbol of pride and honor by the Sikh community of India. Various stories of their valor and bravery are famous all around the world.
These four brothers gave their lives in honor of their community while fighting the Mughal Empire.
People celebrate various festivals and also organize dramas and other cultural shows in honor of these brave warriors.
These warriors have given the message of not fearing the death and preferring wealth over religion, not only to the people of India but all around the world.
Various stories are also famous regarding the bravery which they had shown in this tender age, which the people of double or triple their age are unable to show in the present world.
They have also given us the message of respecting our parents and removing the ego from ourselves.
What were the Qualities of 4 Sahibzaade?
One can learn various qualities from the lifespan of 4 Sahibzaade.
1. Shun Ego
The quality to shun our ego is taught by the brave warriors. These kids did an amazing job in whatever field they were and never had any ego.
They were always ready to practice and improve their skills and even themselves.
So it should always be kept in the mind by us that we should not be proud of anything that we have achieved in our life and instead should keep on improving ourselves every day while remaining humble and down to earth.
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2. Fighting for our Rights
These 4 little Warriors also taught us that we should fight for our rights. The Sikh community has both warriors and saints.
Whenever the need of the hour was to stand up for their rights, the Sikh people never hesitated and made an impact on history.
3. Never Fear Death
The 4 Sahibzaade has also taught us that one should not fear death. Death is something that is inevitable and should not be feared by anyone.
They also said that the Sikh should not fear death and live their life with pride and dignity.
Kabir Ji has said that the whole world has to die one day and no one knows how they will die. So the one should die in such a way that they should never suffer or die again in their life span.
4. Never Bend Your Head
The people of the Sikh community do not bend or bow their heads in front of anyone other than Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The small incident is quoted in the sacred texts that when the sons of Guru Gobind Singh were presented in the court, they refused to bow down in front of the Holy Quran.
They intelligently tackled the situation by putting their feet forward and jumping inside the window without bowing their heads.
5. Wealth Over Religion
One can also learn the lesson of not choosing the wealth over religion by the story of 4 Sahibzaade.
According to the Sikh community, earning money is not considered to be a sin but while earning money, people should never forget that the knowledge is the best blessing which is received from the God.
And a small portion of the wealth which is earned by the individual should always be donated for the benefit of the humanity.
When the two younger Sahibzaade were arrested, they were presented in the court where they said that they do not care for the wealth while they demanded giving back their religion at any cost.
6. Respect Your Parents
The story of 4 Sahibzaade also tells us to respect our parents.
It gives us the message that one should always follow the instructions given by their father and mother and should also respect their Guru because he is the one who knows everything good or bad for you.
One should always follow the simple instructions given by our parents and Guruji if he or she wants to succeed in their lives.
7. Stand by Your Faith
The Story of 4 Sahibzaade also tells us that one should always stand by his faith. The Sikh community always stood by their faith in Guru Ji’s teaching.
The two Sahibzaade stood by the teachings which were taught by Mata Ji and said that they will stand by the faith and follow the footsteps of their father.
8. Be Fearless and Brave
The most important lesson which the story of 4 Sahibzaade teaches is that one should always be fearless and brave in whatever he or she does.
It also tells us that one should serve the true Guru fearlessly and should never have any kind of doubt in his or her mind.
Martyrdom of 4 Sahibzaade
Sahibzada Ajit Singh was martyred at the age of 18 on 7th December 1705 at Chamkaur, when he volunteered to leave the fortress along with 5 other Sikhs and face the enemy in the field of battle.
Sahibzada Jujhar Singh was martyred at the age of 14 on 7th December 1705 along with Sahibzada Ajit Singh.
Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh were martyred on December 12, 1705, on the 13th day of the month of Poh. They were captured along with their grandmother Gujri, who was the mother of Guru Gobind Singh.
Both of them were put to death by the cruel rulers of the Mughal Empire. They were bricked alive in the wall but later given the order of beheading.
Conclusion
The 4 Sahibzaade is considered to be an important part of the history of the Sikh religion. Their sacrifice for their community is respected and honored by millions of people of the Sikh community all around the world.
All the 4 Sahibzaade were below the age of 19 years and fought till their last breath with the Mughal empire in the honor of their religion and safeguarding the people of their community.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Who was the father of 4 Sahabzaade?
Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru of the Sikh community was the father of the 4 brave warriors.
What was the age of the 4 Sahabzaade when they were martyred by the Mughal empire?
All the 4 Sahabzaade were below the age of 19 years when they were martyred. The elder Sahabzaade were 14 and 18 years of age respectively while the younger Sahabzaade were 6 and 9 years of age respectively.