Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh were the two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. At Chamkaur, after the evacuation of Anandpur, both went out to face a much larger army and fell in battle as young men. They are honoured as the Vadde Sahibzade.
Life
Sahibzada Ajit Singh was born in 1687 at Paonta, and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh in 1691 at Anandpur. They grew up in the Guru's household at Anandpur, trained in scripture, horsemanship and arms, and were part of the community when the Khalsa was created in 1699. Sikh sources describe Ajit Singh as already taking part in the defence of Anandpur as a young man.
In 1704–05, after a long siege, Guru Gobind Singh Ji left Anandpur on an assurance of safe passage that was soon broken. In the confusion that followed, the family was separated. The Guru, his two elder sons and a small band of Sikhs reached Chamkaur, where they took shelter in a mud fortress (garhi) while a far larger force surrounded them.
Sikh accounts tell that the Sikhs went out in small groups to face the attackers. Sahibzada Ajit Singh asked to go, and the Guru blessed him; he fell in the fighting. Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, still in his early teens, then also asked to go and was likewise blessed. Both gave their lives at Chamkaur. Exact dates are given variously as December 1704 or 1705, reflecting different calendars and sources. Every December, Sikhs gather at Chamkaur Sahib and remember the elder Sahibzade together with the younger, who were martyred at Sirhind within days.
Why Sikhs remember Sahibzada Ajit Singh
- They show the Khalsa ideal of courage in defence of others, lived by the Guru's own sons.
- The Guru offered his own children in the same struggle as other Sikhs, asking nothing of others he did not give himself.
- They are remembered with the younger Sahibzade as the Char Sahibzade in Ardas and in December commemorations.
Key events
- 1687
Birth of Ajit Singh Historical record
Born at Paonta.
- 1691
Birth of Jujhar Singh Historical record
Born at Anandpur.
- 1704–05
Leaving Anandpur Historical record
The family is separated after the evacuation of Anandpur.
- 1704–05
Battle of Chamkaur Historical record
Both Sahibzade fall in battle at Chamkaur.
- 1704–05
Blessed by their father Traditional account
Tradition tells how the Guru blessed each son before he went out.
For children
Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh were the two older sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They were brave young men who loved the Guru and the Sikhs. At a place called Chamkaur, when many soldiers came against a small group of Sikhs, they stepped forward to protect others. They gave their lives with courage. Sikhs remember them with love every December.
Lessons for today
Courage for others
The elder Sahibzade stood up to protect their companions. Courage is most beautiful when it serves others.
Leaders who share the hardship
The Guru did not ask anything of others that he would not give himself. Good leaders stand in the same place as their people.
Places connected with this life
- Gurdwara Katalgarh Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib
Marks the battlefield where the elder Sahibzade fell. - Gurdwara Garhi Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib
Marks the site of the mud fortress where the Guru and the Sikhs took shelter.
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)