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Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh
The brave and fearless Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh were engaged for months
together in a prolonged battle with the Mughal army outside the fort of
Anandpur. Emperor Aurungzeb sent a message on Oath that if the Guru and
his Sikhs left the fort they would be allowed to go whereever they please.
Guru Gobind Singh had his doubts, but on being persuaded by his devoted
Sikhs, he reluctantly agreed to leave the fort. However it happened
exactly as the Guru had apprehended. As soon as Sikhs came out of the fort
the Mughal Army pounced upon them. A fierce battle was fought on the banks
of Sirsa River. The Valiant Sikhs faced the enemy with unparalled courage.
Each one of them killed quite a few Moghul soldiers before sacrificing
himself.
In the dust and din of battle, members of the family of Guru Gobind Singh
got separated from each other. The two younger sons Sahibzada Zorawar
Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, proceeded along with Guruji's revered old
mother Mata Gujri Ji. They passed through thick forests and difficult
terrains. They came across wild animals saw lions and snakes on the way
but the brave Sahibzadas walked on and on fearlessly in the company of
their grand mother, reciting the holy psalms of their Gurus. The grand
mother related to them stories from Sikh History. They were thus able to
cover journey comfortably.
The two elder brothers, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh,
accompanied their father Guru Gobind Singh. After Crossing Sirsa river,
they stayed for the night at Roper and reached the Chamkaur Fort early
next morning. After an arduous journey Mata Gujri Ji along with the two
Sahibzadas, reached the hut of a Muslim water carrier, Kuma. On seeing
Mataji he rushed out and, with folded hands, requested Mataji to bless his
humble cottage by staying therein. Mataji was pleased with his devotion.
Since it was getting dark, she decided to halt there for the night.
On getting duet the old Guru's domestic servant, Gangu arrived the next
morning. He requested Mataji to go with him to his village. He assured her
that their whereabouts will not be known to the Emperor's officials and
they would be quite safe there. Mataji was a little reluctant but on his
persistent requests she agreed. After getting their luggage loaded on a
pony, all of them set out for his village. The two Sahibzadas went walking
along with their grand mother. Off and on, they would enquire about their
father and the elder brothers, Sahibzadas Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh.
After trekking the whole day, they reached village Kheri in the evening.
On arrival in Gangu's house Mataji put her bag and baggage in a corner of
one of the rooms. Sahibzadas Zorowar Singh and Fateh Singh changed their
clothes and set their beddings, recited the holy evening prayer and went
to sleep in their grand-mother's embrace.
At midnight Gangu quietly stole into their room, looked at Mataji who was
resting in her bed with her eyes shut. Presuming that she was fast asleep,
he bent down, put his hands into the bag, removed the gold coins and
slipped out of the room. Mataji heard the sound of footsteps but she just
slept over it and continued resting as usual. When she got up the next
morning, she asked Gangu, "Our things are<
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