Chamkaur Ka Yudh

'Chamkaur Ka Yudh' or 'The Battle of Chamkaur' is one among the few battles in world history where one of the opponents exhibit exemplary bravery and sacrifice without any second thought. The historic battle was fought in between the Sikhs and the Mughals, in which barely 40 Sikhs confronted an army of 10 lakh Mughals which was led by Wasim Khan. Guru Gobind Singh described the entire war in the 'Zafarnamah'. In the Zafarnamah, Guru Gobind Singh Ji describes how Aurangzeb had broken his vow sworn upon the Quran and how Guru Gobind Singh Ji won in spite of all efforts made by Aurangzeb. The Zafarnamah is a consortium of 111 verses with varied descriptions regarding the happenings. 34 verses written there praise the Almighty, 32 speak about Aurangzeb’s invitation to Guru Ji to meet him and Guru Ji's refusal to meet the Emperor, 24 verses speak in detail the events in the Battle of Chamkaur, 15 verses are regarding Aurangzeb's breaking of his promise and the remaining 6 verses praise Aurangzeb.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was accompanied by few Sikhs when he left Anandpur Sahib on Dec 5th, 1704. The Hindus and Mughals had promised safe passage for the Sikhs. The Mughals promised it in the name of Quran. However the Mughals couldn't keep their word and an army lead by Wasim Khan attacked Guru Ji and his accompanies. The attack was made during night and in cold and darkness many Sikhs lost their lives. A group of Sikhs decided to stay back and fight the Mughals and thus act a cover for Guru Ji and few Sikhs who had to cross the river Sarsa. While crossing the river Sarsa, Guru Ji and his two sons got separated from their rest of the family. Guru Ji, his two eldest sons and 40 others were able to cross the river. Many others perished in the river currents.

After that Guru Ji and his accompanies were offered shelter at the Haveli of Bhai Budhi Singh. Even after being surrounded by such a huge army leaded by Wasim Khan, Guru Ji never lost his calm and even continued with his daily prayers. When Wasim Khan warned Guru Ji that he would spare him if they surrendered, he got a befitting reply from Guru Ji through the shower of arrows. Guru Ji denied the messengers urge to negotiate.

The Sikhs got ready for the war even if they were very less in numbers. They cried their war cry of 'Sat Sree Akal' and came out for war with the self motivation that one Sikh equaled one lakh twenty five thousand others.

Guru Ji had no differences between his sons and the other Sikhs accompanying him. Baba Ajeet Singh Jee, who was Guru Ji's eldest son came out to face the Mughals with eight other. They fought such that even after having such a huge army the Mughals got afraid and soldiers had to run. Guru Ji watched the battle from top of the fort and Baba Ji was surrounded by Mughals on all sides. Baba Ji attained martyrdom at the tender age when he didn't have any trace of beard on his face. He had experienced death like a true warrior at a very youthful age. Hearing the news of his elder brothers death Baba Juljhar Singh stepped ahead took Guru Ji's blessings to fight the war. He had no fear and took blessings from his father to meet the life giving bride - death. Baba Ji confronted the Mughals and while he was surrounded on all sided he got cover fire from Guru Ji. Baba Ji fought till it was dusk and attained martyrdom. Guru Ji watched both his sons die.

Now they were only 10 Singhs left. The association of Guru Roop Panj Piarey order Guru Ji to leave the fort. Guru Ji abided to their orders, but not like a calm loser, but like a winning lion. He clapped thrice and said that the Peer of India was leaving.

The Mughals initially searched for him in and around Chamkaur but didn't find him. Later Aurangzeb himself stood for peace. Guru Ji wrote the Zafarnamah to Aurangzeb.