March 25 marks the Shaheedi Divas (martyrdom day) of Shaheed Bhai Subeg Singh Ji and Shaheed Bhai Shahbaaz Singh Ji. Every day in Ardas, we remember and honor those great Sikhs who were tortured on spiked wheels (ਚਰਕੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਚੜੇ) for refusing to give up their faith.
During the Mughal rule, the authorities tried many ways to convert Sikhs to Islam. However, the Sikhs remained steadfast in their faith and refused to surrender, even at the cost of their lives. The Mughal rulers, frustrated by their failure, designed a brutal torture device—a rotating spiked wheel—to tear the flesh and crush the bones of their victims. The first to be put on this horrific device were Bhai Subeg Singh Ji and Bhai Shahbaaz Singh Ji.
Bhai Subeg Singh Ji was born in the village of Jambar (Lahore). From a young age, he was a dedicated Sikh and he learnt Arabic and Persian as a young man and later gained access to the Mughal officials as a government contractor.
The Khalsa Fauj (army) was a major challenge for the Mughal administration. The Sikhs were the only group that openly opposed the tyranny of the Mughals. As a result, the Mughals declared the Khalsa outlaws, making it dangerous for Sikhs to live or practice their faith in Mughal-controlled areas.
Despite continuous persecution, the Sikhs only grew stronger. Every time one Sikh was killed, ten more would take their place. Realizing that force alone could not suppress them, the Mughals decided to offer a truce. In 1733, by the orders of Zakariya Khan, the Governor of Lahore, the Mughal administration lifted the ban on the Khalsa and offered them land and governing power (Nawabship).
Because Bhai Subeg Singh Ji was a respected Sikh, the governor chose him to deliver this offer to the Khalsa. With pure intentions for the Panth, he humbly approached the Singhs multiple times with this proposal. However, the Khalsa firmly rejected the offer, stating that they would never make deals with tyrants.
After spending time in the company of the Singhs, Bhai Subeg Singh Ji experienced a spiritual transformation. He realized the hypocrisy of working for an oppressive regime and chose to dedicate himself fully to Sikhi. He began keeping strict rehat (discipline) and immersed himself in Naam Simran (meditation on Waheguru).
The Mughal authorities were furious at Bhai Subeg Singh Ji’s change of heart. Orders were sent to arrest both him and his son, Bhai Shahbaaz Singh Ji. When they were brought to the court, the governor said, “Accept Islam, and you will receive wealth, women, and land.”
Both father and son refused. Thus, the torture began.
The governor placed Bhai Subeg Singh Ji on the spiked wheel and again offered him life in exchange for converting to Islam. Bhai Sahib responded with Gurfateh and said, “Blessed is this spiked wheel and blessed is this moment.” He urged the executioners not to delay and to continue turning the wheel. He proudly declared, “I am a Sikh of the Guru, happy to offer my life for my Guru.”
Even as his body was torn apart, Bhai Sahib remained fearless. He mocked the governor, saying, “Blessed is the Nawab and blessed is his religion of compulsion.” The governor was puzzled and asked, “Why choose death when you can live by accepting Islam?”
Bhai Sahib responded:
ਮਰਨੋਂ ਡਰ ਹਮ ਦੀਨ ਮੋਂ ਕਰੋ, ਹੋਇ ਦੀਨ ਮੈਂ ਫਿਰ ਨਹਿ ਮਰੋ?
ਜੌ ਫਿਰ ਭੀ ਸਿਰ ਮਰਨੋਂ ਰਹੈ, ਐਸ ਜੀਵਨ ਕਿਉ ਧਰਮ ਤਜ ਬਹੈ?
If I accept your religion out of fear, will I never die again?
If death is inevitable, then why abandon my faith to save this temporary life?
Bhai Sahib then told the executioners, “If you truly love Islam, then do not stop—keep turning the wheel.” As the torture continued, Bhai Sahib remained in deep meditation, constantly chanting “Waheguru, Waheguru.”
Seeing Bhai Subeg Singh Ji’s unshaken faith, the governor tried a different tactic—torturing his son in front of him. But Bhai Sahib was filled with pride, witnessing his son’s strength. He declared, “Blessed is this son, blessed is this day.”
The governor then made one final attempt to break them. He said, “Save your child and future generations by reciting the Islamic Kalma.”
Bhai Sahib boldly replied, “My Guru takes care of all his Sikhs. He sacrificed his four sons, yet his family continues to live!”
Both father and son refused to recite the Islamic Kalma, instead chanting “Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru.”
The Nawab was now convinced that there was something supernatural about these Sikhs. He suspected them of using black magic and feared they might curse him. In a panic, he ordered their immediate execution.
At the hands of the executioner, both Gurmukhs took their last breaths while chanting the Guru’s Kalma: “Waheguru, Waheguru.”
The Shaheedi of Bhai Subeg Singh Ji and Bhai Shahbaaz Singh Ji is a shining example of unbreakable faith. They chose death over betrayal of their Guru, proving that true Sikhs never compromise their principles, no matter the cost. Their story continues to inspire Sikhs worldwide to stand firm in their faith and remain fearless in the face of adversity.
Dhan Guru Ke Pyare!
