Veer Baal Diwas

Veer Baal Diwas

Subject – Art and Culture

Context – Veer Baal Diwasto be observed on Dec. 26: PM

Concept –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that December 26 shall henceforth be marked as Veer Baal Diwas to pay homage to the courage of the Sahibzades, four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh guru.
• While all four were martyred, the date has been chosen as it was the day observed as the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, who were killed at the tender age of six and nine in Sirhind by Mughal forces

Sahibzades

• Sahibzade in Punjabi means sons. The term is usually used to refer to the four sons of the Sikh guru GuruGobind Singh.
• His four sons were Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh.

ChottaSahibzade

• The younger pair of the sons were called the ChottaSahibzade.
• They were martyred by the Mughals together.
• SahibzadaFateh Singh was less than six years old. ShahibzadaZorawar Singh was eight years old.
• They were bricked alive by the Mughals. Even at such tender age they refused to bow down to the Mughals.
• The GurudwaraFatehgarh Sahib marks the execution of the Sahibzades. It is located in Sirhind, Punjab.

VaadaSahibzade and Zafarnamah

• The older sons of Guru Gobind Singh are called VaadaSahibzade. Baba Arjit Singh and Jujhar Singh died in the second Battle of Chamkaur. They died in the age of 18 and 14 respectively.
• The battle was fought between the Khalsa army led by Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughal Army on the order of Aurangazeb.
• The battle was fought in December 1704.
• Guru Gobind Singh refers to the battle as Zafarnamah.

Sangat

• The Sahibzades died between December 21 and December 26. Every year, the Sikhs observe Sangat during this period.
• Sangat in Punjabi means company or association.
• During this time, the Sikhs chant hymns and perform kirtans.