I Ahmed Wani
On this sacred day of December 26, 2025, India observes Veer Bal Diwas, paying tribute to the unparalleled courage of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji (aged nine) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji (aged six), the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. These young souls chose martyrdom over renouncing their faith in the harsh winter of 1705 at Sirhind, embodying a timeless lesson: age is no barrier to standing resolute for truth and justice. Declared a national observance in 2022, Veer Bal Diwas transcends Sikh heritage to inspire every Indian with values of bravery, integrity, and resilience against oppression.
The martyrdom of these brave children reflects a recurring pattern in history where tyrants, cloaked in authority, target the innocent to suppress dissent. Wazir Khan’s barbaric orders echo the cruelty of history’s notorious oppressors, reminding us symbolically of how power often masks itself in false righteousness. Yet, today, our gaze remains fixed on the radiant valor of the Sahibzadas, whose sacrifice illuminates the path of moral fortitude.
The Supreme Sacrifice at Sirhind
The tragedy unfolded during the Mughal Empire’s intense persecution of Sikhs under Aurangzeb. Following the extended siege of Anandpur Sahib (1704–1705), Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his followers evacuated under a deceitful promise of safe passage, sworn on the Quran—a vow swiftly violated.
In the ensuing chaos, the younger Sahibzadas, along with their grandmother Mata Gujri Ji, were betrayed by a local informant and captured. Confined in the frigid Thanda Burj (Cold Tower) of Sirhind Fort, they faced severe winter conditions. Presented before Wazir Khan and his qazi, the boys were offered wealth and power in exchange for converting to Islam, banking on their youth to yield.
Undeterred, they proclaimed their unwavering Sikh identity: “Death is better than forsaking our faith.” Infuriated, Wazir Khan ordered them bricked alive—a horrific punishment meant to intimidate the Sikh community. On December 26, 1705, the execution began; accounts note the wall collapsing repeatedly, viewed by many as miraculous. Ultimately, the children were martyred, their innocent lives extinguished in an act of unimaginable cruelty.
Mata Gujri Ji succumbed to grief upon learning of their fate. This completed the sacrifice of the Chaar Sahibzade: the elder brothers, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji, had earlier fallen in battle at Chamkaur.
The event inspired the Khalsa; in 1710, Banda Singh Bahadur avenged them by capturing Sirhind and defeating Wazir Khan. Today, Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib marks the site, drawing millions in pilgrimage.
Wazir Khan’s Tyranny: Echoes of Historical Cruelty
Wazir Khan’s command to kill children so young stands as a stark reminder of how tyrants throughout history justify heinous acts under pretexts of authority or faith. Such patterns, seen in infamous episodes like the events at Karbala in 680 CE—where innocents, including children, faced slaughter and deprivation—highlight a universal flaw: the misuse of power to crush resistance by harming the vulnerable.
The parallels underscore a profound truth: genuine conviction cannot be coerced. The Sahibzadas, refusing to bow despite overwhelming odds, exemplify that true strength resides in unshakeable principles, exposing the fragility of tyrannical force.
India’s Contrasting Legacy: Harmony and Division
India’s Mughal-era history presents a duality. Akbar the Great fostered secularism, abolishing jizya, promoting interfaith dialogue through Ibadat Khana, and envisioning Din-i Ilahi as a universal ethical framework. His inclusive court blended diverse cultures, yielding enduring legacies.
Aurangzeb’s reign, however, reversed this: imprisoning his father, eliminating siblings, reimposing discriminatory taxes, and pursuing orthodox policies that fueled conflicts and weakened the empire.
Medieval India often saw rulers prioritize internal rivalries—against Marathas, Rajputs, Jats, or Sikhs—over unity against external forces. Many disputes, territorial at core, were veiled in religious rhetoric, sowing lasting divisions. Veer Bal Diwas invites reflection: acknowledging these scars while building bridges of brotherhood.
Inspiration for Today’s Youth: Celebrations in 2025
Veer Bal Diwas features shabad kirtan, storytelling, parades, and educational programs nationwide. This year, a grand national event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the gathering, cultural performances, and participation from school children. The program, telecast live, emphasizes youth’s role in nation-building. Separately, President Droupadi Murmu confers the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on exceptional young achievers.
These celebrations reinforce that, like the Sahibzadas, today’s children can rise above limitations through courage and truth.
The young martyrs never bowed to Wazir Khan’s might, opting for eternal legacy over fleeting security. Their story urges us to honor such sacrifices by rejecting intolerance and embracing pluralism. In a divided world, Veer Bal Diwas beacons unity: a pluralistic India where principle triumphs over persecution.
May Zorawar and Fateh’s light guide us to stand unbowed for righteousness.
