The pages of Sikh history are marked by immense sacrifice and pivotal moments that tested the faith and resilience of its leaders. One such critical event, often recalled for its tragic turn, occurred in the year 1705, when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and his family were separated by the forces of nature during a perilous escape. The agent of this fateful division was not an enemy army, but a sudden and violent flash flood in the Sirsa river, a tributary of the Sutlej.
The Perilous Escape After the Siege of Anandpur Sahib
To understand the context, one must look back at the prolonged siege of Anandpur Sahib by the allied forces of the Mughals and the hill chieftains. After a grueling blockade, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was compelled to leave the fort in December 1704, following a promise of safe passage that was later treacherously broken. The Guru, along with his family and a band of devoted Sikhs, began a journey fraught with danger.
Their path led them towards the river Sirsa, which was in their way as they moved from Anandpur. Historical accounts and the research of scholars like Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer point to a period around early January 1705 when the group reached the river's banks. The party was already being pursued, and the need to cross was urgent.
The Fateful Crossing and the Sudden Deluge
As the group attempted to cross the Sirsa, a catastrophic natural event unfolded. Without warning, a flash flood surged down the river, turning its waters into a raging torrent. This was not a gentle stream but a powerful, unpredictable force of nature. The floodwaters struck with such ferocity that it became impossible for the entire group to stay together.
In the ensuing chaos and struggle against the raging currents, the Guru's family was tragically separated. The most poignant division was between Guru Gobind Singh Ji, his two eldest sons—the Sahibzadas Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh—and a contingent of Sikhs on one side, and his mother Mata Gujri and his two younger sons, the Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, on the other. The younger group, along with their caretaker, Gangu, was swept away from the main party.
This single event set in motion a chain of consequences that would forever alter Sikh history. The groups, divided by the flood, took very different paths, leading to separate destinies marked by supreme sacrifice.
The Aftermath and Legacy of the Separation
The immediate aftermath of the flood saw Guru Gobind Singh Ji, along with his two elder sons and the surviving Sikhs, proceed to the fortress of Chamkaur. There, they faced an overwhelming Mughal force in the legendary Battle of Chamkaur in December 1705. Both Sahibzadas Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh attained martyrdom on the battlefield, fighting with legendary bravery.
Meanwhile, Mata Gujri and the two younger Sahibzadas, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, after being separated, eventually reached the village of Saheri. Here, they were betrayed by Gangu, who handed them over to the Mughal authorities in Sirhind. The young princes, aged merely 9 and 7 years, were offered a choice between conversion to Islam or death. Choosing their faith, they were bricked alive in a wall, attaining martyrdom. Mata Gujri, upon hearing the news, also left her mortal coil.
The flash flood on the Sirsa river, therefore, was not merely a geographical obstacle. It became a tragic turning point that led directly to the martyrdom of all four of Guru Gobind Singh's sons and his mother. This series of events, born from that moment of natural chaos, cemented the core Sikh values of steadfast faith, sacrifice, and resistance against tyranny.
Today, the story is remembered with deep reverence. It is narrated in gurdwaras, especially during the observance of the martyrdom days of the Sahibzadas. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the extreme trials faced by the Sikh Gurus and their families in their unwavering commitment to justice and religious freedom. The Sirsa river, a silent witness to this history, holds a solemn place in the collective memory of the Sikh community.
