ZORAWAR SINGH PAUT (d. 1708), commonly known as Guru Gobind Singh’s adopted son, was born to Bhai Natthu, a carpenter from Bassi Pathanan near Sirhind. His mother, Mai Bhikkhi, served in the Guru’s household at Anandpur, where Zorawar Singh spent his early childhood. He was about the same age as the Guru’s third son, Zorawar Singh, and the two were close playmates.
In a friendly wrestling match between them, Zorawar Singh Paut emerged victorious in the presence of Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru, lovingly observing his strength, remarked, “He, too, is my Zorawar (meaning strong or mighty) son,” and treated him as one of his own. Over time, the appellation “Zorawar” replaced his original name, which has been lost to history.
During the evacuation of Anandpur on the night of 5–6 December 1705, Zorawar Singh Paut crossed the flooded Sarsa along with others but became stranded on the left bank of the rivulet. Severely wounded during a skirmish near Malikpur Ranghran, he found refuge in Kotia Nihang Khan. From there, he was taken by a relative to Dadheri, near Gobindgarh. There, an elderly woman, Mai Pupan, tended to his wounds.
After recovering, he rejoined Guru Gobind Singh at Damdama Sahib in Talvandi Sabo. However, before the Guru’s journey to the Deccan, Zorawar Singh Paut returned to northern Punjab. He briefly resided in Dhattian, Dadheri, Ugani, and Bassi before settling in Khizrabad (now in Ropar district).
Later, he journeyed southwards and joined Guru Gobind Singh’s camp at Itmadpur near Agra. On 3 April 1708, Zorawar Singh Paut lost his life, along with 19 other Sikhs, in a skirmish with local soldiers near Chittorgarh Fort. Shrines honoring him can be found at Kotia Nihang Khan, Dadheri, Ugani, and Khizrabad.
References:
- Padam, Piara Singh, and Giani Garja Singh, eds., Guru Kian Sakhian, Patiala, 1986
- Sainapati, Sri Gur Sobha, ed., Ganda Singh, Patiala, 1967
- Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth, Amritsar, 1927-35
- Chhibbar, Kesar Singh, Bansavalinama Dasan Patshahian Ka
