KARTARPUR

He was an old man of 5 years, 10 months and 10 days. He had a clear choice either to give up rebellious attitude or be prepared for death. He was given two days to decide upon. He chose the later.

It is Dec.27, 1704 AD. Governor sends for Qazi to issue death warrant for Fateh Singh and his brother Zorawar Singh (aged 7years 11 months and 8 days) The Qazi says no, "Shariat or the Muslim law doesn't provides for death penalty to a wrongdoer child." Right in the court was a Hindu minister Such Nand Puri (He belonged to village Aur). He disagrees, "Why spare them, they are the off springs of the snake; the rebel called Guru Gobind Singh." And the Governor rebukes Qazi, "you need to study the law once more." And then Qazi exclaims, "Yea! these rebellious infant be walled alive."

But no mason was ready to brick the infants in the wall. The infants were sent to lock up again. There came another case before the court. It was proved that Shashal Beg and Bashal Beg two brothers had committed a heinous crime. Shashal gets the idea. "Your highness we are ready to brick the infants in walls if no other punishment is given to us." "Yes," Wazir Khan the Governor agrees.

And before the construction begins there again given choice to the children. But they were sons of the lord who had understood that this life was to perish today or tomorrow. And they were walled alive. It was a freezing winter. The infants went to a senseless sleep. Untrained mason's wall fell. The brutally injured lads were taken out of the rubble. Medical treatment given to them and left with their grandma also in custody. They slept the night. At amritvela they were waked up. "Sons," said the ma, "Today is the day." continued ma, "and you are grand sons of Guru Teg Bahadur the martyr." Says Fateh Singh, "Yes mom, that grand son of the martyr Guru Arjun." and ma kisses the infants saying, "It is enough sons.".

Then came the summons. "Boys come out now." Those infant wrists are chained once again. The grand ma watches them march, "What a strange house of Nanak! It only knows that death is inevitable, while the others don't."

Shashal and Bashal are ready. Qazi once again repeats the option echoed by the emphatic no form children. Bashal throws Zorawar on ground. Shashal finished in the ziba or halal manner. Fateh say, "Boley so nihal" But it is silence around. He himself resounds, "Sat sri akal." And Fateh is also thrown on the ground. Knee of Shashal on the chest of Fateh. And then moves the knife then the root of cruel kingdom is slashed.

Conclusions:

Shaheed (as also martyr) is a Persian world which means a witness i.e be a witness to your pious conviction, when no one else is there to support you. You prove that you are right by giving up your own life. That is to present your witness to by giving your life. Thus the one who had no option before him to live can't be termed as a martyr. In that light all those who die without any option to live can't be termed as martyr. Fateh Singh is undoubtedly the youngest martyr in the history.

NOT IN SYLLABUS ? This is an ideal example to be taught in the schools. But no. In India it does not form part of the syllabus. During the Akali Govt days we wrote to the Punjab Govt that this unique martyrdom be given place in the children history books. Badal became silent and no notice was taken of our suggestion.

It gave rise to the first ever peoples' revolution in the Indian history.

A diary of events (Akhbarat-e- Durbar) was recorded in the Mughal court of those days. It mentions that in the Sarhind area people are up in arms against the Mughal government and majority of the rebels are from low castes i.e the shudras. Under the leadership of Banda, Sarhind crumbles and then whole of Punjab is 'in chaos'. Mughal empire was so shattered that it could not regain its strength there after and ultimately the 200 year old empire fell and the direct cause was the martyrdom of two infants. This hard fact is kept concealed from the Indian students.

Boley so nihaal. Sat sri akal;

A dog at the house of Nanak
b.s.goraya