Sikh Stories Origins and its Relationship to Coins. Part 4 : Diwan Today Mal and the last rites of Sahebzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji, Sahebzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and their grand mother, Mata Gujri Ji.

Diwan Today Mal and the last rites of Sahebzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji, Sahebzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and their grand mother, Mata Gujri Ji.

By : Saran Singh Sidhu and Dalwinder Singh Sidhu

 

After the evacuation of the Anadpur Fort in Punjab, Mata Gujri Ji (Gujar Kaur, mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) and her grand sons, Baba Fateh Singh Ji (aged 9 years) and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (aged 6 years), got separated from Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Sikhs while crossing the flooded Sirsa River on 6^th December 1705. Their former cook, Ganga, found them in the jungle and took them to his village Kheri (Saheri) near Morinda in present day District Ropar. However, the greedy Ganga, betrayed them to the Mughal authorities for monetary reward.

 

On 21^st December 1705, Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were taken to Sirhind under heavy escort, and imprisoned in the Thanda Burj (cold tower).

 

On 23^rd December 1705, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were brought to the darbar (audience hall) of the Faujdar (Governor) Nawab Wazir Khan of Sirhind. Wazir Khan gave them a choice, either convert to Islam and receive immense rewards or face death. When both of them refused to obey his orders, Wazir Khan decided to carry out his evil deed. Nawab Sher Mohd Khan of Maler Kotla, who was also present, intervened against such an unjust act on these young children who had committed no crime. However, Wazir Khan refused to change his decision. Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were again sent to the Thanda Burj (cold tower) with instructions that they were not to be given any food. Nawab Sher Khan left soon after in disgust for Maler Kotla.

 

During this imprisionment, Mata Gujri Ji spoke to her two grandsons of the great deeds of their father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Sikhs. She told them never to waiver and loose their faith. “Ser jaayae taa jaayae, mayrah Sikhi saydek Na jaayae” (Let my head be cut off but never shall I loose my faith). At this time, Moti Ram Mehra, a devotee of the Guru, came secretly at night to the cold tower and gave warm milk to Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji. Later, when Wazir Khan found out about this matter, he had Moti Ram Mehra and his entire family executed.

 

On 25^th December 1705, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were brough to Nawab Wazir Khan. They were again told to convert to Islam or face death. Both of them refused to do so and stood steadfast and loyal to their own faith. Finally, Wazir Khan gave the order to have both of them bricked up alive. When the wall around them was almost complete, a part of it crumbled. Both the brothers fell forward on the floor. They were then executed by having their throats cut. On hearing of their tragic deaths, Mata Gujri who was imprisoned in the cold tower alos left for her heavenly abode.

 

Diwan Todar Mal, a wealthy merchant and devotee of Guru Gobinds Singh Ji, wished to cremate the three bodies – Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji. He managed to pursuade Chaudari Atta to allow his land to be used for cremation. Diwan Todar Mal approached Nawab Wazir Khan for permission to cremate the bodies. The wily Wazir Khan agreed but on condition that he purchased the required site with a payment of gold mohurs, which were to be placed vertically on the required area, which is belived to have been approximately 42 sq.feet (about 6 feet X 7 feet). With great difficulty, Diwan Todar Mal managed to raise the required number of gold mohurs, which are believed to be around 88,680 pieces, and placed them vertically on the ground in front of the gloating Nawab Wazir Khan. The Mohurs used were of Shah Jahan and of Aurangzeb dated AH 1115 (1704) or earlier.

 

On 26^th December 1705, the bodies of Mata Gujri Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zorawar Singh Ji were cremated with great respect by Diwan Todar Mal and his family in Fatehgarh, which is abut 2.5 Km aways from Sirhind. This is the site of Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup at Fatehgarh Saheb in Punjab, India.

 

Diwan Todar Mal and his family, who had by now lost practically all of their wealth, had to leave the town of Sirhind as life was made unbearable for them. Today, only the haveli (mansion) of Diwan Todar Mal remains, mostly in ruins, as a reminder of this faithful devotee.

This piece of 42 sq.feet of land is probably the most expensive piece of land ever purchased and probably nothing similar will ever be comparable.