Anandpur Sahib (Punjab): This week holds special significance for the entire Sikh community, as it was during this time in 1704, that Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Sikh Guru, had left the fort of Anandgarh with his family and three contingents.
After Guru Gobind Singh left the fort with his family, mother Mata Gujari and his three contingents, history is witness to the poignant story of how the Tenth Guru's family were sacrificed one after the other, and particularly how his youngest two sons attained martyrdom.
ETV Bharat will share with you the heart-rending story of these seven days. In the first part of this 'journey of martyrdom', we recall the days spent by the Tenth Guru in Anandpur, and the life stories of his sons, the Sahibzadas.
Anandpur Sahib earlier used to be called 'Chak Mata Nanki'. However, when the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, upon purchasing this land decided to relocate his family here from Patna, the place was rechristened as Anandpur Sahib.
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This is the place where Kashmiri Pandits had come to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, entreating him to safeguard them from the atrocities of the Mughals. It is worth noting that while the Kashmiri Pandits were narrating their woes to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, his son, who later assumed the leadership of the Sikhs as their Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was also present there. He was sitting beside his father, listening to everything attentively.
Moved by the pitiful entreaties and tales of woe of the Kashmiri Pandits, it was Guru Gobind Singh, only a child at the time, who urged his father, the Ninth Guru, to make the supreme sacrifice for their cause, if need be. Right after this incident, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji left for Delhi and made the supreme sacrifice there.
While at Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh married thrice. His first marriage was solemnised with Mata Jeeto ji, while his second and third marriages were solemnised with Mata Sundari ji and Mata Sahiba Deva ji respectively. The Guru was blessed with four sons.
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The eldest son, Sahibzada Baba Ajeet Singh ji, was born on January 26, 1687 at Paunta Sahib. His mother was Mata Sundari ji. Sahibzada Baba Jujhar Singh ji was the second son of Guru Gobind Singh. His mother was Mata Jeeto ji. It was Mata Jeeto ji who also bore the Guru his third and fourth sons. While the third son Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh ji was born on November 17, 1696, the fourth son, Sahibzada Baba Fateh was born on February 25, 1699.
It was here in Anandpur, that the four Sahibzadas grew up under the Tenth Guru's personal mentorship, immersed in the familial joy of this city.
But destiny had other plans, as Guru Gobind Singh ji was asked by the Mughals to vacate Anandgarh Fort. He was assured by the Mughals that they would not attack him in any way, following which the Tenth Guru, with his family and three contingents, left Anandgarh on the dead cold night of December 20, 1704.
It is metaphorically said that even the walls of Anandpur Sahib wept inconsolably that night while the Guru and his people were vacating the fort. Even today, when people visit Anandpur Sahib, and listen to the stories of the trials, tribulations and the supreme sacrifices made by the young Sahibzadas and the other members of the Tenth Guru’s family standing up for a just cause and fight, they wrestle hard to fight back tears that well up in their eyes.
This was the story of Anandpur Sahib. In the second part of this journey, we will take you to the place where, after having left Anandpur Sahib, the Tenth Guru’s family got separated - never to unite again, upon reaching the banks of Sarsa River.
