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SAHIBZADA AJIT SINGH JI (1687 - 1705)

Sahibzada Ajit Singh was born to Mata Sundari and Guru Gobind Singh ji at Paonta Sahib on 26 January 1687. The following year, Guru Gobind Singh ji returned with the family to Anandpur where Ajit Singh was brought up in the approved Sikh style. By the time of creation of Khalsa on 30 March 1699, he had accomplished the skills in riding, swordmanship and archery.

Therefore a formidable task was entrusted to him in the year 1700 when the hill chiefs supported by imperial Mughal troops attacked Anandpur. Sahibzada Ajit Singh was made responsible for the defense of Taragarh Castle, which became the first target of attack. Ajit Singh assisted by Bhai Ude Singh, a seasoned soldier, repulsed the attack. He also fought valiantly in the battle of Nirmohgarh.

In 1691, Mata Sundari gave birth to another boy who was named Jhujhar Singh. Sahibzada Ajit Singh for him was a sort of role model for the younger prince. Jhujhar Singh also was entrusted with several engagements around Anandpur and on hills. Both Ajit Singh and Jhujhar Singh led hundreds of successful expeditions against tyrants.

Then Mughal forces sieged Anandpur in 1705, Sahibzada Ajit Singh displayed his qualities of courage and steadfastness. When, at last, after Mughal Faujdar give assurances that he only wanted the castle of Anandpur, Anandpur was vacated on the night of 3-4 December 1705. Sahibzada Ajit Singh was given the command of the rearguard. As the besiegers, violating their solemn promises for a safe conduct of the evacuees, attacked the column, he stoutly engaged them on a hill-feature called Shahi Tibbi until relieved by Bhai Ude Singh. Ajit Singh crossed the Sarsa, then in spate, along with his father, his younger brother, Jhujhar Singh, and some fifty Sikhs. Further reduced in numbers by casualties at the hands of pursuing troop from Ropar, the column reached Chamkaur in the evening of 6 December 1705, and took up position in a garhi, a high walled fortified house. The host, since swelled by reinforcements from Malerkotla and Sarhind and from among the local Ranghars and Gujjars, soon caught up with them and threw a tight ring around Chamkaur. An unequal but grim battle commenced with the sunrise on 7 December 1705. The besieged, after they had exhausted the meager stock of ammunitions and arrows, made sallies in batches of five each to engage the encircling host with sword and spear.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh led one of the sallies and laid down his life fighting in the thick of the battle. Gurdwara Qatalgarh now marks the spot where he fell, followed by Sahibzada Jhujhar Singh who led the next sally.