Sahibzada Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, the second son of the tenth Guru, was born in Anandpur Sahib, while Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Ji, the eldest Sahibzada of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was born at Paunta Sahib. When they became martyrs at Chamkaur Sahib, they were 16 and 18 years old, respectively. Sikhs respectfully refer to these courageous sons of the Guru as "Baba" in recognition of their valiant actions at such a young age.
Since they were young children, they received formal and religious (Gurmat) instruction from knowledgeable Sikhs and their father. They also received training in physical conditioning, riding, and weapon handling. During the many fights that took place in and around Anandpur Sahib between the forces of Guruji's forces and the forces of Hindu Kings and Muslim rulers on one side, Sahibzada Ajit Singh displayed extraordinary bravery.
Sikhism sparked dreams for independence from the oppressive rulers of the day and equality for all. The rising number of Hindus and Muslims converting to Sikhism frightened the Hindu kings of the hill states surrounding Anandpur Sahib as well as the Muslim rulers, who believed that if Sikhism continued to spread at this rate, neither ruler would be able to maintain long-term control over the subjugated. The Hindu Hill State Kings, through the tenacious conquerors of the era. Both the Muslim and Hindu rulers of the hill states surrounding Anandpur Sahib were alarmed by the growing number of people turning to Sikhism. They thought that if Sikhism spread at this rate, neither ruler would be able to maintain long-term control over the subjugated. The Hindu Hill State Kings concerned Emperor Aurangzeb with their ceaseless protests because they felt that Guru Gobind Singh's growing influence and power would eventually pose a danger to the authority of both the Hindu and Muslim communities.
Thus, in order to permanently crush Guru Gobind Singh's expanding power, the Muslim rulers of Delhi, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir teamed up with the Hindu rulers of the hill states surrounding Anandpur Sahib. They marched towards Anandpur Sahib and surrounded it with their combined battle troops. They severed the supply line to the Sikh community encircled in the Anandpur Sahib Fort.
The Sikhs encamped in Anandpur Fort faced tremendous suffering because supplies of food, water, and medication were scarce. However, the leaders and soldiers of the despotic authorities had also been demoralized after seven months of futile military attempts. Thus, in an attempt to appease Emperor Aurangzeb, they looked for a face-saving gadget.
They both made promises to Sri Guru Gobind Singh in the Geeta and the Koran that they would not attack him and his army if he and the Sikhs left Anandpur Fort. They, too, would go after this evacuation and be able to present their faces to Emperor Aurangzeb.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who had little faith in the promises made by the enemies and had informed them of his opinions, made the decision to abandon Anandpur Sahib based on the advise of the Sikhs.
The enemy attacked, but Sahibzada Ajit Singh and some Sikh warriors held them off with a tough struggle until Guru Gobind Singh and others bridged the torrent, which had swelled from the heavy rains upstream. Later, Ajit Singh and the other Sikhs joined Guru Gobind Singh after crossing the Sirsa River. The combat skills and leadership displayed by Guru Gobind Singh's eldest son left a lasting impression on the opposing forces. Many Sikh lives were lost as a result of the inundated rivulet.
The next day, by evening, Guru Gobind Singh, his two surviving elder sons, and forty other Sikh survivors arrived, tired but victorious, at the village of Chamkaur. They made the hasty decision to confront the advancing enemy forces at Chaudhary Budhi Chand's fortress-like home. Large numbers of hostile forces surrounded this castle during the night. By daybreak, their numbers had grown to 100,000. Guru Gobind Singh and his followers used a barrage of lethal arrows to repel the enemy's morning assault on the castle, which resulted in significant casualties.
Guru Gobind Singh made the decision to send Sikhs outside the stronghold in groups of five to confront the enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand battle when the supply of arrows began to run low and the enemy forces began to approach the fortress. Envision five Sikhs facing thousands of enemy forces with courage! This demonstrated to the world just how brave the Guru's Sikhs were. They were devoted to their master's commands rather than their own lives.
This greatly thrilled Guru Gobind Singh, who hugged his son. Armed with his own weapons, he sent his son out with the next group of five Sikhs, whom he loved just as much as his own boys. Their bravery validated Guruji's prophecy that he would be deserving of the title Gobind Singh when he created a Sikh so strong and courageous that he could take on a lakh and a quarter adversaries by himself.The fearless son of the Tenth Master, Ajit Singh, leapt out of the fortress and charged the opposing warriors, tearing and shredding them like a ravenous lion. When numerous enemy soldiers saw this kid fighter's combat prowess and attack strategies, they were both horrified and shocked.
The valiant son of the Master used his spear to assault the enemy after he had used up all of his arrows. However, when Sahibzada Ajit Singh withdrew his spear, the blade that had pierced one of the opponents' steel clothing and entered his chest fractured inside the enemy soldier's body. Baba Ajit Singh's horse was injured by the opposing soldiers, who took advantage of his delay and caused it to die.
With lightning speed, Sahibzada got down the horse and confronted the enemy warriors while drawing his sword from its scabbard. As he was slaying his enemies with lightning-fast sword strokes, an opposing soldier used a sharp spear to effectively assault the valiant son of Guru Gobind Singh. Baba Ajit Singh was severely wounded by this spear. The courageous son of Guru Gobind Singh collapsed to the ground, mortally wounded.
Guru Gobind Singh expressed gratitude to God for enabling Ajit Singh to meet his father's standards. Thus, the Guru demonstrated his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for the cause he was fighting for by offering his own sons as a sacrifice and by asking the same from his Sikh followers. He loved the Sikhs just as much as he loved his own boys.The valiant son of the Great Guru fell in this way, inspiring Sikhs for many years to come. For all eternity, the Sikh community will honor this young martyr who was the tenth master's son.
