Veer Baal Diwas

• 11 Jan 2022

Why in News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India has declared that 26^th 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.

• 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.

Key Points

• About Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh:
  
  • 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.
• About Guru Gobind Singh:
  
  • The last of the ten Sikh Gurus, Guru Gobind Singh was born on 22^nd December 1666 in Patna, Bihar.
    
    • His birth anniversary is based on the Nanakshahi calendar.
  • He became the Sikh guru at the age of nine, following the demise of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru.
  • He was assassinated in 1708.
• Contributions:
  
  • Religious:
    
    • He is known for his significant contributions to the Sikh religion, including the introduction of the turban to cover hair.
    • He also founded the principles of Khalsa or the Five ‘K’s.
      
      • The Five K’s are kesh (uncut hair), kanga (wooden comb), kara (iron or steel bracelet), kirpan (dagger) and kachera (short breeches).
      • These were the five articles of faith that a Khalsa must always adorn.
    • He also laid down many other rules for the Khalsa warriors to follow like abstaining from tobacco, alcohol, halal meat, etc. The Khalsa warrior was also duty-bound to protect innocent people from persecution.
    • He named Guru Granth Sahib, the religious text of the Khalsas and the Sikhs, as the next Guru of the two communities.
  • Martial:
    
    • He fought against the Mughals in the battle of Muktsar in 1705.
    • In the Battle of Anandpur (1704), the Guru lost his mother and two minor sons who were executed. His eldest son also died in battle.
  • Literary:
    
    • His literary contributions include the Jaap Sahib, Benti Chaupai, Amrit Savaiye, etc.
    • He also wrote the Zafarnama which was a letter to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Source: TH