Mata Gujri Ji was the wife of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. She raised the tenth Guru and, in her last days, cared for her two youngest grandsons at Sirhind. She is remembered with deep reverence for her calm faith through great hardship.
Life
Mata Gujri Ji was born in the 1620s at Kartarpur, near Jalandhar, and as a young girl married Tyag Mal, the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who later became Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. For many years the couple lived a simple, prayerful life, including a long period at Bakala, where the future Guru spent much time in meditation.
In 1666, while Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was travelling in the east, Mata Gujri Ji gave birth to their son, Gobind Rai, at Patna. She raised him there in his early years before the family moved to Anandpur in Punjab. In 1675 Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was martyred in Delhi, and her nine-year-old son became the tenth Guru. Mata Gujri Ji supported him through those difficult years.
When Anandpur was evacuated in 1704–05, the Guru's family was separated in the confusion near the Sarsa river. Mata Gujri Ji stayed with her two youngest grandsons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. They were taken into custody and held at Sirhind, in a cold tower remembered today as the Thanda Burj. Sikh tradition tells how she gently strengthened the children's faith, telling them stories of their grandfather and the Gurus. After the young Sahibzade gave their lives rather than give up their faith, Mata Gujri Ji passed away at Sirhind. A local Sikh devotee, Diwan Todar Mal, is remembered for arranging their last rites with great respect. Sikhs remember her each December during the commemorations at Fatehgarh Sahib.
Why Sikhs remember Mata Gujri Ji
- She raised Guru Gobind Singh Ji and stood beside two Gurus through some of the hardest times in Sikh history.
- Her quiet courage and faith with her grandsons at Sirhind is one of the most loved memories of the Panth.
- She is a model of the strength of mothers and grandmothers in passing on faith.
Key events
- c. 1620s
Birth at Kartarpur Historical record
Born at Kartarpur, near Jalandhar.
- 1666
Birth of Gobind Rai Historical record
Her son, later Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is born at Patna.
- 1675
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Historical record
Her husband is martyred in Delhi; her son becomes the tenth Guru.
- 1704–05
Separation after Anandpur Historical record
Separated from the Guru, she and the younger Sahibzade are held at Sirhind.
- 1704–05
Passing at Sirhind Historical record
She passes away at Sirhind soon after the martyrdom of her grandsons.
For children
Mata Gujri Ji was the mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the grandmother of the four Sahibzade. When the family was separated, she stayed with her two youngest grandsons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. Even in a cold tower, she kept them warm with love and told them stories of the Gurus, so they would be brave and remember Waheguru. She shows us how grandparents can give children strong, loving roots.
Lessons for today
Faith passed on with love
Mata Gujri Ji strengthened her grandsons through stories and calm example. The values you share with children stay with them.
Calm in hardship
She faced loss with steadiness and prayer. Faith does not remove pain, but it can hold you through it.
Places connected with this life
- Gurdwara Thanda Burj Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib
Marks the cold tower where she stayed with the younger Sahibzade. - Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib
Marks the place of the last rites of Mata Gujri Ji and the younger Sahibzade.
Further reading & sources
- Harbans Singh (ed.), The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University, Patiala
- Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, Oxford University Press
- Sainapati, Sri Gur Sobha (early 18th century)