Veer Bal Diwas

• 27 Dec 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister participated in a historic programme marking ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.

• On 9^th January 2022, the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Prime Minister had announced that 26th December would be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, to mark the martyrdom of sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh - Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji.

Who was Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh?

• Sahibzada Jorawar Singh (9) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (7) 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.

Who was Guru Gobind Singh?

• About:
  • 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.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. Consider the following Bhakti Saints: (2013)

1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?

(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2

Ans: (b)

Exp:

• Lodi dynasty was the last ruling family of the Delhi Sultanate. The last ruler of this dynasty was Ibrahim Lodi, who was defeated by Babur in 1526 at the Battle of Panipat. It marked the end of the Lodi dynasty and the rise of the Mughal Empire in India led by Babur.
• Guru Nanak (1469-1539): Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Hence, 2 is correct.
• Dadu Dayal (1544-1603): Dadu Dayal was a poetsaint from Gujarat, India. He was a religious reformer who preached against formalism and priestcraft. “Dadu” means brother, and “Dayal” means “the compassionate one”. Hence, 1 is not correct.

Source: PIB