Char Sahibzade, (“char” means four) is a term endearingly used for the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru. All four of the Char Sahibzade died as martyrs while still very young. The martyrdom of the four sahibzade is an important part of Sikh history, and the occasion of their martyrdom is remembered and commemorated both with great vigor and very acute sadness by large numbers of Sikhs every year in December.

The younger pair, called the “Chota Sahibzade“ were martyred together by the Mughals in Sirhind at the tender age of 6 and 9 years old. The older sahibzade, called the “Vaada Sahibzade” died fighting the enemy of many thousands at the young age of 18 and 14 years old in battle at Chamkaur Sahib.

The 21st and 26th of December are days that hold very dear memories for Sikhs around the world, for it was on these days in 1705 that the older sahibzade—Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh—set off for their heavenly abode on the 21st and the 26th, respectively, as the delicate and tender light of the younger Sahibzade, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, was cruelly and inhumanely extinguished by the Mughal ruler of Sirhind.

The Char Sahibzade are reverently preserved in Sikh memory, and are recalled every time an Ardas (Sikh prayer) is recited.

~ “Char Sahibzade,” SikhiWiki.