Shaheedi Week (Shaheedi Hafta) 2025 : History ,Dates

Introduction to Shaheedi Week / Shaheedi Hafta

Shaheedi Week, also known as Shaheedi Hafta, is one of the most emotional and inspiring periods in Sikh history. It is observed every year in December to remember the great sacrifices (Shaheedi) made by Guru Gobind Singh Ji , Mata Gujri Ji, and the four Sahibzade (sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji).

Shaheedi Week teaches us lessons of bravery, faith, truth, and standing against injustice, even at a very young age. During this week, Sikhs all over the world remember how a single family sacrificed everything for Dharam (righteousness) and human values.

Shaheedi Week 2025 Day-Wise History (Date-Wise Information)

Day 1 – 21 December

Leaving Anandpur Sahib

What happened:

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his family were surrounded at Anandpur Sahib for many months
• Mughal forces promised safe passage if the Guru left the fort
• Trusting the promise, Guru Ji left Anandpur Sahib at night
• The promise was later broken, and the Sikh convoy was attacked

Place: Anandpur Sahib (Punjab)

Importance:

• This day marks the beginning of Shaheedi Week
• It shows Guru Ji’s faith in God, not in false power

Day 2 – 22 December

Separation of the Guru Sahib Ji Family

What happened:

• During the difficult journey through forests and rivers:
  • Guru Gobind Singh Ji got separated from Mata Gujri Ji
  • The two younger Sahibzade (Baba Jorawar Singh Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji)stayed with Mata Gujri Ji
  • The two elder Sahibzade (Baba Ajit Singh Ji, Baba Jujhar singh ji )stayed with Guru Sahib Ji
• Heavy rain, cold weather, and enemy attacks made the situation worse

Place: Forests near Sarsa River

Importance:

• This separation led to different sacrifices in Chamkaur and Sirhind

Day 3 – 23 December

Battle of Chamkaur Begins and Shaheedi of Vadde Sahibzaade

What happened:

• Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Chamkaur Sahib
• Only 40 Sikhs were with him
• Thousands of Mughal soldiers surrounded the small fort
• Sikhs decided to fight for Dharam (righteousness)
• Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji (about 18 years old) asked permission to fight
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji blessed him
• Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji fought bravely against thousands of soldiers
• He attained Shaheedi on the battlefield
• Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji, only 14 years old, followed his elder brother
• He fought fearlessly despite his young age
• He also attained Shaheedi in the Battle of Chamkaur

Place: Chamkaur Sahib (Punjab)

Importance:

• One of the most heroic battles in Sikh history

Day 4 – 24 December

Sikh Martydom at Chamkaur Sahib

• Extreme Odds: Guru Gobind Singh Ji and 40 Sikhs defended a small mud fortress against a massive Mughal army numbering in the thousands.

• Heroic Martyrdom: The Guru’s two eldest sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, fought valiantly and died as martyrs on the battlefield.

• The Command: Following the Panj Pyare tradition, the Sikhs “ordered” the Guru to escape the fort to ensure the future of the Khalsa.

• Ultimate Sacrifice: This battle represents the peak of Sikh sacrifice, where the Guru sacrificed his family and followers for the cause of righteousness.

Day 5 – 25 December

Martydom of Shaheedi Bibi Harsharan Kaur

• The Mission: After the Battle of Chamkaur (1704), she took it upon herself to perform the final rites for the martyred Sikhs whose bodies lay on the battlefield.

• The Sacrifice of the Sahibzade: She specifically sought out the bodies of the two elder Sahibzade, Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, to ensure they received a respectful cremation.

• Identifying the Martyrs: Braving the darkness and the presence of Mughal guards, the 16-year-old Bibi recognized the Sikhs by their Kakaars (symbols of faith like the Kara and Kesh) among the thousands of fallen.

• The Funeral Pyre: She collected the bodies of 32 Sikhs, including her own husband (Bhai Pritam Singh), and lit a single funeral pyre while reciting Sohila Sahib (evening prayer).

• Ultimate Martyrdom: When the fire alerted the Mughal soldiers, she refused to flee or surrender; she was eventually captured and thrown into the same funeral pyre, attaining martyrdom alongside her brothers-in-faith.

Day 6 – 26-27 December

Chote Sahibzade at Subey di Kacheri

• The Special Door Trap: To force the children to bow, the Mughals made them enter through a very small door. The Sahibzade, aged 7 and 9, outsmarted them by entering feet-first, ensuring they never bowed to anyone but the Guru.
• The Bold Greeting: Upon entering the court, they didn’t offer a submissive salute but loudly shouted the Khalsa Fateh : “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!”
• The Bribes and Threats: Wazir Khan offered them immense riches, beautiful wives, and high ranks if they converted to Islam. They firmly replied that their faith was more precious than any worldly kingdom.
• The Mockery of Death: When threatened with a brutal execution, the younger brother, Baba Fateh Singh, famously said that their grandfather (Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji) gave his head but not his faith, and they would do the same.
• The Sentence: After several days of refusing to convert despite being kept in the freezing Thanda Burj (Cold Tower), Wazir Khan ordered them to be bricked alive (immured) within a wall.

Day 7 – 28 December

Bricked Alive – Shaheedi of Younger Sahibzade

What happened:

• Mughal governor Wazir Khan tried to convert the Sahibzade to Islam
• Offered wealth and comfort
• The Sahibzade refused firmly
• They were ordered to be bricked alive
• Walls collapsed twice, but finally they were killed

Day 8 – 29 December

Antam Sanskaar of Chote Sahibzaade

What happened:

• The Martyrdom: After Baba Zorawar Singh (9) and Baba Fateh Singh (7) were executed, the Mughal authorities refused to provide land for their cremation.
• Diwan Todar Mal’s Devotion: A wealthy merchant and devotee, Diwan Todar Mal, sought permission to perform the last rites but was told he must buy the land.
• The Cruel Condition: Wazir Khan stipulated that the land must be purchased by covering the required area with gold coins (ashrafis) stood vertically.
• The Most Expensive Land: Diwan Todar Mal spent his entire life’s savings, laying down 7,800 gold coins to purchase a small patch of land for the cremation of the Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji.
• The Cremation: Despite threats from the Mughal government, the bodies were respectfully recovered and cremated with full honors.
• Mata Gujri Ji: Their grandmother, who had passed away in the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower) upon hearing of their martyrdom, was cremated alongside them.
• Historical Legacy: Today, Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup in Fatehgarh Sahib stands at the site of the cremation, marking the spot of this supreme sacrifice.

Summary Table – Shaheedi Week 2025 /Shaheedi Hafta 2025 (Day-Wise)

Date	Event	Key Details
21 Dec	Leaving Anandpur Sahib	Guru Ji evacuates the fort after a 7-month siege on a broken promise of safe passage by the Mughals.
22 Dec	Separation at Sarsa	Under attack during a storm, the family is separated at the flooded Sarsa river; the Younger Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji go toward Sirhind.
23 Dec	Battle of Chamkaur	40 Sikhs hold off thousands; Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji attain martyrdom in battle.
24 Dec	Sikh Martyrdom	The remaining Sikhs fight to the last breath; Guru Ji is “commanded” by the Panj Pyare to leave the fort to continue the mission.
25 Dec	Shaheedi of Bibi Harsharan Kaur	She courageously performs the final rites of the Chamkaur martyrs and is killed by Mughal soldiers.
25 Dec	Arrest at Saheri	Betrayed by Gangu, Mata Gujri Ji and the Younger Sahibzade are arrested and imprisoned in the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower).
26-27 Dec	Subey di Kacheri	The young Sahibzade (ages 7 and 9) defy Wazir Khan in court, refusing to convert despite threats and bribes.
28 Dec	Bricked Alive	Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji are bricked alive and then executed for their refusal to renounce their faith.
29 Dec	Antam Sanskaar	Diwan Todar Mal purchases land for the cremation by covering the ground in gold coins; the final rites are performed.

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