Saka Sirhind

Chhotte Sahibzade (younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) attained martyrdom on 26 December 1704 at a very young age of 5 & 7 only. This is known as Saka Sirhind. Every year on 24 to 26 December, Shaheedi Jor Mela also known as Shaheedi Jor Mel/Sabha is organised at Fatehgarh Sahib Punjab, India, to commemorate the supreme sacrifice at the place of their martyrdom.

Following are series of events related to Saka Sirhind:

• Eviction of Mata Gujar kaur (mother of Guru gobind singh Ji), Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh younger sons of Guru gobind singh ji from Anandpur Sahib siege.
• Mataji and her grandchildren taking shelter in the place of their servant Gangu in an attempt to stay away from the eye of local authorities.
• Arrest of above three at Morinda and hearing at Sirhind.
• innocent appearance at Sirhind Court.
• Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan defended young Sahibzadas Against Injustice by sooba sirhind nawab wajir khan.
• Declaration of Innocence of Sahibzadas, by Qazis and other officials.
• Provocative arguments by Diwan Sucha Nand to support prosecution.
• Said to have remained firm in their faith according to multiple Sikh saakhis (There have been disagreements on why they were actually executed. Some say that they were unable to understand what religion is at that age. Hence they were executed for other reasons which may include being relatives of the tenth Sikh guru who shook the Mughal empire his might and bravery).
• Punishment - Prisoned all 3 on a Open Tower (Burj) and both sahibjadas were said to be executed. The manner of their death is unclear. There are two accounts of it. The first one suggests that they were bricked alive. The second one states them to be executed by slitting their throat. The combination of these accounts came up with the central view today. The new version suggests that they were bricked alive. After some time, the wall fell to the ground after which their throats were slit. Mata Gujjar kaur is said to have passed away from natural causes. However, the manner of her death is disputable.

What happened there Hill rajas and Mughal forces had laid seize to Anandgarh Fort, Anandpur Sahib for about 8 months, in 1704. The Mughals and Hilly Rajas wanted Guru Gobind Singh to leave the fort they swore on Quran and Bhagwat Gita/Gauo Mata to give a safe passage to Guru. The Guru decided to leave the fort on request of panj piaras. Guru Sahib, four Sahibzadas, Mata Gujar kaur, Guru's Mahil (Court and Palace officials including Mata Jeeto Ji, his only wife), five Panj Piaras and a few hundred Sikhs left Anandpur Sahib on the chilly night of 20 December 1704 towards Ropar. In the intervening night of 20–21 December, the enemy breached the vows and attacked Guru's entourage at a site on Sarsa rivulet some 25 km from Anandpur Sahib. Guru's family separated. This spot is now known as Pariwar Vichhora. Mata Gujar Kaur Ji with two younger grandsons, accompanied Guru family cook, Gungoo, a Kashmiri pandit, to his village, Saheri near Morinda. Guru's Mahil left with Bhai Mani Singh, towards Delhi. Guru Gobind Singh with two elder Sahibzadas, 5 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs proceeded towards Chamkaur and reached there, in the afternoon of 21 December. Both are in Ropar Distt.(Pb.). The famous Chamkaur battle, took place on 22 and 23 December 1704, where two elder Sahibzadas, 3 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs laid down their lives fighting 10 lakh Mughal army. Mata Gujar Kaur ji and the two younger Sahibzadas were betrayed by gangoo brahman(kasmiri pandit) for some gold mohurs and were arrested by Morinda Mughals sent by Wazir Khan at Saheri village. From there, they were handed over to Suba Sirhind. They were imprisoned, in the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower). The legend has it that Diwan Todar Mal covered the cremation grounds in gold coins as their final rites couldn't be done on Mughal ground (land), this place is now known as Jyoti Swaroop Gurudwara Sahib at Fatehgarh Sahib Punjab, India.

Samat Bikrmi dates and year: Leaving of Anandpur Sahib, 5 Poh 1761, Battle of Chamkaur 6, 7 and 8 Poh 1761, Saka Sirhind 11,12 and 13 Poh 1761.

See also

• First Battle of Chamkaur (1702).
• Second Battle of Chamkaur (1704)