Battle of Chamkaur: Martyrdom of Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh

Days of 6-13 Poh commemorates the most emotional history for every Sikh. These are the days when we remember the Parivaar Vichhoda, the Martyrdom of Sahibzada Ajit Singh, and Jujhar Singh in the battle of Chamkaur and then the martyrdom of Mata Gujri and younger Sahibzadas Zoravar Singh and Fateh Singh Ji.

Battle of Chamkaur

The Battle of Chamkaur is unique and one of the most imbalanced battles ever fought in the history of the world.

Guru Sahib along with some of his Singhs fought against an army of lakhs in the fort of Chamkaur. Crossing the Sarsa river, Guru Sahib parted alongside his family and other precious treasure. Here Guru Sahib came towards Chamkaur Garhi, while Mata Gujri and CHhote Sahibzadas walked towards Sirhind in the company of their loyal cook Gangu.

Coming from the river Sarsa towards the fort of Chamkaur, they were pursued by the Mughal forces. On one side were millions of Mughal armies and on the other a handful of Sikhs. Historians put the number at 40. Although not all historians have the same opinion about their number, the manner in which these 40 Singhs formed 5-5 battalions and defeated the Mughal army is not a trivial matter.

About three dozen Sikhs, including Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, the eldest sons of Guru Ji, were killed in this battle while fighting with the Mughals. This war made it clear that troops don’t matter when one fights with unique war strategy, courage, and extraordinary fighting skills. The way Guru Sahib devised the strategy of war in the battle of Chamkaur, he kept the Mughal armies on the run.

What was going on in the heart of a father at that time when sons of Guruji were being martyred while fighting with the Mughals during this battle? It is not easy to guess, but Guru Sahib did not shed a single tear on this occasion but watched his sons and Singhs fighting and being martyred in front of his eyes. The opinion of leaving this battlefield safely by the three Singhs was also an example of their political wit and leaving the fort with an applaud and announcement was a deed of unprecedented courage.

Although Guru Sahib was not ready to escape from this fort, on the night Guru Sahib came out of this fort by the order of Bhai Daya Singh Ji. There were only 11 Singhs present in the fort according to historians.

Leader of Panj Singh Sahibans, Bhai Daya Singh Ji ordered Guru Ji to leave the fort and Gurudev obeyed this order. From that time onwards the tradition of Hukam of Panj Pyare was carried forward that we have forgotten today. When Guru Sahib founded the Khalsa Panth on the day of Baisakhi, Panj Pyare was considered as Guru Khalsa. He had ordered to obey the order of Panj Pyare during any religious dilemma, which was repeated in the fort of Chamkaur.

Although Guru Sahib mentions the battle of Chamkaur in his Zafarnama, in it he exposes only the evil deeds of Aurangzeb but does not allow his sorrows to be exposed. The way the Guru’s loved ones fought in this fort has changed the history of Sikhism.

Three Singhs, including Bhai Jaita, set out for Machhiwara from this fort. We cannot presume the degree of agony Gurudev would have felt when he ordered Bhai Sangat Singh to fight on the front wearing a Kalgi? The environment when Guru Sahib Ji would have passed by the corpses of his beloved Singhs and sons?

Today when we remember the moments of those days our heads bow before their sacrifices and at the same time the question arises where is the Sikh community going today? Who sowed the seeds of light in the darkness by making sacrifices. Why is Sikhi heading for darkness today? Have we forgotten our history or are we being led astray?

ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਹੱਕ ਸੱਚ ਦੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਲਈ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਚਮਕੌਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ‘ਤੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਅਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ, ਬਾਬਾ ਜੁਝਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਦਲੇਰ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਦਿਵਸ ‘ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਹਾਦਤ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਜਦਾ।