JUJHAR SINGH, SAHIBZADA

JUJHAR SINGH, SAHIBZADA (1691-1705), the second son of Guru Gobind Singh, was born to Mata Jitoji at Anandpur on 14 March 1691. Like his elder brother, Ajit Singh, he started training in the fighting skills as soon as he started learning the religious texts. In 1699, when he was eight years old, he received the rites of Khalsa initiation. By the time it became necessary to leave Anandpur under the pressure of a besieging host in December 1705, Jujhar Singh, nearing the completion of his fifteenth year, was an experienced young warrior, strong and fearless.

He was one of the band that successfully waded through the flooded Sarsa rivulet on horseback and made good their way to Chamkaur by nightfall on 6 December 1705, with the adversary in hot pursuit. With little respite during the night, he participated in the next day`s battle warding off assault after assault upon the garht, the fortified house in which Guru Gobind Singh had, along with his 40 Sikhs and two sons, taken shelter. As they ran out of ammunition and arrows, Sikhs inside split themselves into batches of five each who would go out one after the other to engage the besiegers in hand to hand combat. Jujhar Singh led the last sally towards the end of the day (7 December 1705), and laid down his life fighting near the place where he had earlier seen his elder brother fall. Gurdwara Qatalgarh in Chamkaur Sahib now marks the site.

References :

1. Kuir Singh Gurbilds Pdtshdhi 10. Patiala, 1968
2. Chhihhar, Kesar Singh, Rnnsdvalindma Dasdn Pdlshdhldn Kd. Chandigarh, 1972
3. Gian Singh, Giani, Panth Prakash. Patiala, 1970
4. Padam, Piara Singh, Char Sdhihidde. Patiala, 1970
5. Macauliffc, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909