Short video narrating the History

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HISTORY

Separation of the Family (Parivar Vichora)

Under the pressure of a prolonged siege with food and ammunition exhausted, Guru Gobind Singh and 400 Sikhs left Sri Anandpur Sahib on the bitter cold and rainy night of December 1704.

In the early hours of the morning at the River Sirsa, Guru Gobind Singh and his Sikhs were attacked by the mughal army under the command of Wazir Khan, breaking their oath of safe conduct.

In the confusion, which followed the attack in the cold and darkness, many Sikhs became Shaheed (martyrs).

A small group of courageous Singhs fought the combined might of the Mughal and Rajput armies and kept them back while the rest of the Sikhs, Guru Ji and Guru Ji’s family crossed the river in the heat of the battle. Many Sikhs perished in crossing the cold river and were swept away by the current of the river.

During the confusion in crossing the River Sirsa, Guru Ji was separated from his family. Guru Ji, his two eldest sons and 40 Sikhs were able to cross the river and were united on the other side. Gurdwara Sri Parivar Vichora Sahib is built on the spot where the battle occurred and the Gurus family were separated.

Betrayal

Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zoravar Singh Ji and Mata Gujri Ji where seperated from Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at the Sirsa river after the Mughals betrayed the Koran and attacked them. The Sahibzadey and Mata Gujri Ji were brought to Kheri by Gangu brahmin. Gangu brahmin was a part-time cook in Guru Gobind Singh’s household.

Gangu’s true intentions were made known when the Guru’s mother went to sleep, he stole her money, which she carried in a saddlebag and buried it. 

The next day, Gangu came up with a plan to avoid suspicion of the theft. He mentioned to Mata Gujri that there were several thieves prowling about the neighbourhood, and she must be careful with her valuables. Gangu said he was giving her this information so that she should not suspect him of anything. He almost immediately informed her that her saddlebag was missing. As no one had entered the house overnight except for Gangu, Mata Gujri questioned Gangu about the theft.

Gangu pretended to be furious at the suspicion directed against him. Gangu tried to distract Mata Gujri by saying they were taking advantage of his hospitality by accusing him of being a thief when they were the ones that were outlaws. Worried at the turn of events, Gangu decided to turn Mata Gujri and the two young Sahibzadey over to the authorities, almost cetrtainly knowing they would meet their death, thereby hiding his crime.

By saying that he could not trust her and her children, Gangu ordered them to leave his house. The Brahmin with loud cries proceeded to the Chaudhri of Kheri and informed him that Guru’s mother and sons had just come to his house and both he and the Chaudhri would obtain a large reward for delivering them to the mughals.

Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib

Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zoravar Singh Ji and Mata Gujri Ji were taken to the site of Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib in Morinda city by Jani Khan and Mani Khan, the Rangher headmen. 

They were kept in a prison cell overnight and then taken to Sirhind (now Fatehgarh Sahib) to face trial and execution.

The Kotwali still exists at Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib. The Gurdwara has been built around the original Kotwali. The Kotwali itself is now used as a room for Akhand Paths.