Veer Baal Diwas: A tale from Punjab

Source: The post is based on the article “A tale from Punjab” published in The Indian Express on 29th December 2022. 

Syllabus: GS1- Indian history and culture 

Relevance: Important personalities and their relevance 

News: The article explains the historical event of the sacrifice of two younger boys of Guru Gobind Singh for maintaining the dignity of their religion. 

The sacrifice day of 27th December has been declared as Veer Bal Diwas. The first one was celebrated this year. 

What is the sequence of events that led to the death of two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh? 

Wazir Khan was the Mughal governor of administered territories between the rivers Yamuna and Sutlej. In December 1704, Aurangzeb was Mughal ruler in Delhi.  

The 10th Guru of the Sikhs and his colleagues were attacked as he proceeded from Anandpur Sahib. It is known as the Battle of Chamkaur Sahib.  

The two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh were killed and the two younger ones got separated. The Guru himself escaped with the help of two Pathans, Ghani Khan and Nabi Khan. He eventually took shelter in the house of a local Muslim chief. 

The younger boys, along with their 81-year-old grandmother, Mata Gujri were caught by the Mughals. The boys refused to convert to Islam. The wazir ordered them to be bricked alive.  

After Aurangzeb’s death, his empire quickly crumbled. Banda Bairagi took over much of eastern Punjab. He killed Wazir Khan at the Battle of Chappar Chiri, known as Chandigarh now and took control over the territories of Sirhind. 

How is their sacrifice remembered and revered by the people? 

The chamber where the younger boys were bricked is located in the Bhora Sahib. It became a place of pilgrimage for everyone. The boys are known as sahibzadas. Eventually, a gurdwara came up around it.  

Nowadays, people assemble each year in the last week of December to remember the suffering and sacrifice of the family that held up the dignity of their religion. The gathering is called “Jor Mel”. 

What is the message conveyed by this event? 

One needs to retain mental strength in the face of adversity and a strong ethical commitment to one’s beliefs. It also carries to the young a message about commitment to the motherland, to one’s beliefs, and to ethical living.