vvThe martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two younger sons  of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, born to Mata Jito Ji, which took place on  December 12, 1705 is an unprecedented event and a major landmark in the history of Sikhs. Sahibzada  Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, born on 17 November 1696 and 25 February, 1699  respectively at Anandpur Sahib, District Ropar, Punjab, following the foot-steps of their paternal grandfather  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the Ninth Sikh Guru sacrificed their lives for upholding a person's right to  freedom of religion. Because of the death of their mother Mata Jito Ji on 5 December, 1700 these two  children had been brought up by their paternal grandmother Mata Gujri Ji. 

vvThe martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two younger sons  of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, born to Mata Jito Ji, which took place on  December 12, 1705 is an unprecedented event and a major landmark in the history of Sikhs. Sahibzada  Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, born on 17 November 1696 and 25 February, 1699  respectively at Anandpur Sahib, District Ropar, Punjab, following the foot-steps of their paternal grandfather  Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the Ninth Sikh Guru sacrificed their lives for upholding a person's right to  freedom of religion. Because of the death of their mother Mata Jito Ji on 5 December, 1700 these two  children had been brought up by their paternal grandmother Mata Gujri Ji. 

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth prophet-teacher of the Sikhs was  cruelly martyred by beheading him on November 11, 1675 in Chandni Chowk, Delhi  under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb. Besides martyring Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur  Sahib, Aurangzeb also passed orders that the whole family of the person who goes  near the deceased's body will be annihilated. The martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh  Bahadur Sahib sent a wave of shock and mental torture among the Sikh community.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth prophet-teacher of the Sikhs was cruelly  martyred by beheading him on November 11, 1675 in Chandni Chowk, Delhi under the  orders of Emperor Aurangzeb. Besides martyring Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib,  Aurangzeb also passed orders that the whole family of the person who goes near the  deceased's body will be annihilated.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji the founder of the Sikh religion was born on April 15, 1469, at Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi now named Nankana Sahib but by tradition, his birth anniversary is celebrated worldwide on the full-moon day in the month of Kartik, the eighth desi month which coincides with October-November. 

Bhai Bala Ji (1466-1544) son of Chandar Bhan Ji, born three years before Sri  Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539), the first Guru (prophet-teacher) of the Sikhs had the privilege of not only being his life-time companion but also serving as one of the major and most authentic sources of information about the life events of Sri Guru  Nanak Dev Ji. 

Before leaving for Deccan on Oct. 30, 1706, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji  assigned to Dip Singh Ji the duty of teaching the Sikh scriptures, disseminating Sikh  philosophy and training the Sikhs in the martial arts. Thus, Dip Singh Ji stayed  behind at Talvandi Sabo to serve at the Gurdwara Damdama Sahib. At Talvandi  Sabo, as per the directions of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji he spent his time explaining  the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to Sikh sangat. He also organised a Sikh jatha (fighting group) and trained the members of this jatha in martial arts.  

This year i.e. in 2023 Shaheed Bhai Taroo Singh Ji's 278^th martyrdom day is being observed on July 16 all over the world. This gruesome incident took place 278^th years ago. This brave and dauntless Sikh was born in a Sandhu Jatt family in Puhla village which at that time fell in District Kasur (now in Pakistan) but now falls in Distt.  Tarn Taran of Punjab. In his sacred memory at the place of his birth stands Gurdwara  Sahib Shaheed Bhai Taroo Singh Ji. 

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji (1670-1716), a brave Sikh warrior and founder of the Sikh Rule in Punjab was born on October 27, 1670 at Rajauri in Punchh District of Jammu and Kashmir. His early name was Lachhman Dev. His father Ram Dev Ji, a Rajput Farmer trained him in martial arts in early childhood. 

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib (1595-1644) the Sixth Guru (prophet teacher) of the Sikhs was the only son of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs and Mata  Ganga Ji. He was born on Har Vadi 7, 1652 Bikrimi i.e. June 19, 1595, at Vadali (now called Vadali Guru) about 8 km from Amritsar. 

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606), the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs was born on  Baisakh Vadi 7, 1620 Bikrimi i.e. April 15, 1563 at Goindwal Sahib, which now falls  in the present day Tarn Taran district of Punjab. He was the third and youngest son  of Bhai Jetha Ji who later named as Sri Guru Ram Das Ji became the Fourth Guru  of the Sikhs and Bibi (Lady) Bhani Ji, daughter of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third  Guru of the Sikhs. 

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji was born on Baisakh Sudi 14, 1636 Bikrami i.e. May 5,
1479 at Basarke Gillan village, which is about 13 km

. south-west from Amritsar, in
district Amritsar, Punjab. In his fond memory, in this village at his birth place
Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan Sri Guru Amar Das Ji has been established.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on Baisakh Vadi 1, Sammat 1561 Bikrami which corresponded with 31 March 1504. His father Bhai Pheru Ji also known as Bhai Pheru Mal Ji, a Trehan Khatri by caste lived in the village 'Matte Di Sarai', now known as 'Sarai Nanga' 16 km north-east of Muktsar, the district headquarter of the present day district Muktsar of Punjab.

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606), the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs was born on  Baisakh Vadi 7, 1620 Bikrimi i.e. April 15, 1563, at Goindwal Sahib, which now falls in the present day Tarn Taran district of Punjab. He was the third and youngest son of Bhai Jetha Ji who was later named Sri Guru Ram Das Ji became the Fourth Guru of the Sikhs and Bibi (Lady) Bhani Ji, daughter of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third  Guru of the Sikhs. 

Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of the solar month of Baisakh. It is termed as 'Baisakhi' because as per astrological calculations at this time the moon passes through Visakha nakshatra or the constellation of the Indian calendar. This festival falls when the farmers have just finished harvesting the wheat crop. In Sikh history, the celebration of Baisakhi can be traced back to the time of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji (1479- 1574), the Third Guru of the Sikhs i.e. more than 470 years. 

The Sikh history of the 18th century is replete with the martyrdom of Sikhs at the hands  of Afghan and Mughal rulers who invaded India which was at that time considered a 'sparrow of  gold'. The primary aims of these invaders were to loot the people and convert them to Islam.  These invaders generally returned to their home countries after amalgamating booty although  they also established their rule in Punjab, Delhi and some other parts of India.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century the main historical Gurdwaras were  under the control of mahants. It may be added that originally the superior of a  religious establishment was called a mahant. In earlier days the word mahant  referred to the leaders of Nath deras. But during the 18th and 19th centuries many  Gurdwaras were occupied by hereditary controllers who became virtual owners of  their respective Gurdwaras and came to be known as mahants

 Ahmad Shah Abdali was a poor pathan who by enhancing his power after conquering  Kandhar, brought Balkh, Sindh, Punjab and Kashmir under his control. He invaded India  eight times during 1747 to 1767 and his sixth invasion which he undertook on February 5,1762 was to annihilate the Sikhs. During this invasion his Afghan army joined by Mughal  army of Sirhind and Malerkotla killed approximately 40,000 Sikhs in a single day i.e. 

Bhagat Ravidas Ji (1377-1527) was born to Raghu Ji and Ghurbinia Ji  at Seer Goverdhanpur in Varanasi (also known as Banaras), Uttar Pradesh. In his  sacred memory, at his birthplace, Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir has  been established. The picture of this Mandir is being given at the end of this write-up.  Throughout the year his followers visit this Mandir to pay respect to him and  especially on his birthday lacs of his followers visit this sacred place to pay their  obeisance.

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib (1630-1661) the seventh Guru of the Sikh faith was  born on January 16, 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib in District Ropar of Punjab. He was the  son of Baba Gurditta Ji (1613-1638) and grandson of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib  (1595-1644) the sixth Guru of the Sikh faith. This year his birth anniversary is being celebrated on February 3 all over the world. 

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, reverently known as 'Sarbans Danee' i.e. a person who sacrificed his 'sarbans' (whole family) for  helping the oppressed and protecting a person's right to profess the religion of his  own choice. He was born the only son of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Mata Gujri  Ji on Poh Sudi 7 (23 Poh) Saturday, 1723 Bikrimi i.e. 22 December, 1666 at Patna  Sahib, Bihar.

The martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two younger sons  of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, born to Mata Jito Ji, which took place on  December 12, 1705 is an unprecedented event and a major landmark in the history of Sikhs.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, reverently known as 'Sarbans Danee' i.e. a person who sacrificed his 'sarbans' (whole family) for  helping the oppressed and protecting a person's right to profess the religion of his  own choice.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth prophet-teacher of the Sikhs was  cruelly martyred by beheading him on November 11, 1675 in Chandni Chowk, Delhi  under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb. Besides martyring Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur  Sahib, Aurangzeb also passed orders that the whole family of the person who goes  near the deceased's body will be annihilated.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji (1670-1716), a brave Sikh warrior and  founder of the Sikh Rule in Punjab was born on October 27, 1670 at Rajauri in Punchh District of Jammu and Kashmir. His early name was Lachhman Dev. His father Ram Dev Ji, a Rajput farmer trained him in martial arts in early childhood.  At the age of fifteen, the sight of a dying pregnant doe during one of his  hunting excursions made him leave his home as penitence and become an  ascetic. He joined Bairagi Ram Das who named him 

Bhagat Namdev Ji also spelled as Nam Dev Ji, his full name being Namdev Damaji  Relekar is one of the 15 Bhagats whose hymns Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji included in Sri  Adi Granth Sahib. In compiling Sri Adi Granth Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in  addition to the hymns of his predecessor Sikh Gurus and his own hymns included  the hymns of 15 Bhagats, 11 Bhatts and four others closely associated with the Sikh  Gurus.

Holding a khanda (double-edged sword) in his right hand and his severed  head in his left hand Baba Dip Singh Ji (1682-1757) sacrified his life fighting against  oppression for the liberation of Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar. He was born on  January 26, 1682 in Pahuwind village, which is 40 kms south-west of Amritsar and  falls in District Tarn Taran of Punjab. His parents Bhai Bhagta Ji and Mata Jiuni Ji  were very religious minded. They nick-named him as ‘Deepa’. His father belonged to  Kharra sub-caste of Jat Sikhs and was a farmer.  

Kartarpur Sahib situated on the right bank of river Ravi in District Narowal of  Pakistan near the Indo-Pak border usually referred to as Kartarpur (Ravi) to  distinguish it from the Kartarpur town which falls in District Jallandhar of Punjab is a  very sacred place for the Sikhs because Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) the  founder of Sikh Religion spent the last 17-18 years of his life at this place and also  left for his heavenly abode from this place. Until the partition of India i.e. 1947 this  place fell in the Tehsil Shakargarh, District Gurdaspur of Punjab. 

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji (1534-1581) the Fourth Guru or spiritual  mentor of the Sikhs was born on 25 Assuu Sammat 1591 i.e. 24 September 1534 in his ancestral place Chuna Mandi area, Lahore (now in Pakistan). At his birthplace now stands Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das Ji. The words Ram Das mean 'servant' or 'slave of God'. His earlier name was 'Jetha' which means first born. In fact, he was the only child. His father Hari Das Ji, Sodhi Khatri by Caste was a shopkeeper.

Saradhs also called sharadhs are forbidden in the Sikh religion whereas in the Hindu religion saradhs are held in memory of the deceased ancestors every year in the month of Asu, the seventh desi month which corresponds to the month of September.

The town of Sultanpur Lodhi which falls in the present-day Kapurthala District of Punjab is a sacred place for the Sikhs. Among the sacred places relating to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) the first prophet-teacher of the Sikhs, in addition to Nankana Sahib, District Nankana Sahib (Pakistan), Kartarpur Sahib, District Narowal (Pakistan), and Dera Baba Nanak, District Gurdaspur of Punjab this town is of paramount importance for the Sikhs.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the main historical Gurdwaras were under the control of mahants. It may be added that originally the superior of a religious establishment was called a mahant.  In earlier days the word mahant referred to the leaders of Nath deras. But during the 18th and 19th centuries, many Gurdwaras were occupied by hereditary controllers who became virtual owners of their respective Gurdwaras and came to be known as mahants.

Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib (1656-1664) the eighth Guru or prophet teacher of the  Sikhs was the younger son of Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib (1630-1661) seventh  Guru of the Sikhs and Mata Sulakkhani Ji. He was born on 7 July 1656 at Kiratpur  Sahib which falls in the present-day Ropar district of Punjab. Since his very childhood, he had a religious bent of mind and interests.

 The great martyr Baba Jai Singh Khalkat Ji, Ravidasia by caste was born in the village Mughal Majra which was situated on Sirhind-Patiala Road at a distance of about 25 kms from Sirhind and about 6-7 kms from Patiala in Tehsil and District Patiala of Punjab.