Veer Bal Diwas

Veer Baal Diwas is commemmorated to honour the martyrdom of Baba Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh, the Sahibzade of 10th Guru Govind Singh Ji on 26th December every year.

Background

On 9th January 2022, the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Hon. 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.

About the young martyrs

The youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji, Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji were born at Anandpur Sahib.

On the morning of 7 December 1705, the day of the fateful battle of Chamkaur, Baba Zorawar Singh ji, along with Baba Fateh Singh ji and their grandmother, was taken into custody by Jani Khan and Mani Khan Ranghar, the officials at Morinda. They were dispatched on the following day to Sirhind where they were consigned to the Cold Tower (Thanda Burj) of the Fort. On 9 December 1705, Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji were produced before the faujdaar, Nawab Wazir Khan. He then threatened them with death, but they remained undaunted. Death sentence was finally pronounced.

On 11 December 1705, they were ordered to be sealed alive in a wall. As the masonry around their tender bodies reached chest high, it crumbled. The Sahibzadas were sent to the Cold Tower again for the night. The next day, 12 December 1705, Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji were martyred by sealing alive in a wall.

The site of the fateful happenings, since christened Fatehgarh Sahib, close to the old town of Sirhind, is now marked by four Sikh shrines. A religious fair is held here from 25 to 28 December every year to honour the memory of the martyrs.

Source : (Reprint - adapted from Sikhiwiki article on the Sahibzadas)

Celebrations 

To mark Veer Bal Diwas, the Government is organizing participatory programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially young children, about the story of the exemplary courage of the Sahibzades. A digital exhibition detailing the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzades will be displayed in schools and childcare institutions across the country. A film on ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ will also be screened nationwide. Also, there will be various online competitions like interactive quizzes organized through various government portals.