Veer Bal Diwas

Why is in news? Text of PM’s address at Veer Bal Diwas programme at New Delhi

The Prime Minister of India has declared that 26th December 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.

Guru Gobind Singh ji had four sons – Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.

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 (Punjab) by Mughal forces.

Sahibzada Jorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh are among the most revered martyrs in Sikhism.

A combination of Mughals soldiers besieged Anandpur Sahib on the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb (1704).

The two sons of Guru Gobind Singh were captured. They were offered safe passage if they became Muslims.

They both refused, and so they were sentenced to death and were bricked alive. These two greats preferred death instead of deviating from the noble principles of Dharma.

Guru Gobind Singh:

He was the 10th Sikh guru.

He was born at Patna, Bihar, India, on December 22, 1666. His birthday sometimes falls either in December or January or even both months in the Gregorian calendar. The annual celebration of the Guru’s birthday is based on the Nanakshahi calendar.

He became the Sikh guru at the age of nine, following the demise of father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru.

He is known for his significant contributions to the Sikh religion, including the introduction of the turban to cover hair.

He is also responsible for establishing the highest order in the Sikh community.

He also founded the principles of Khalsa or the Five ‘K’s. (i.e) kesh (uncut hair), kanga (wooden comb), kara (iron or steel bracelet), kirpan (dagger) and kachera (short breeches).

He fought against the Mughals later in the battle of Muktsar in 1705.

Guru Gobind Singh was killed by a Mughal assassin in 1708, a year after the death of Aurangzeb.

He named Guru Granth Sahib, the religious text of the Khalsas and the Sikhs, as the next Guru of the two communities.