GUJARI, MATA (1624-1705), was the daughter of Bhai Lal Chand Subhikkht and Bishan Kaur, a pious couple of Kartarpur, in present day Jalandhar district of the Punjab. Lal Chand had migrated from his ancestral village, Lakhnaur, in Ambala district, to settle at Kartarpur where his daughter Gujari was married to (Guru) Tegh Bahadur on 4 February 1633. The betrothal had taken place four years earlier when Tegh Bahadur had come to Kartarpur in the marriage party of his elder brother, Suraj Mall. Bishan Kaur, the mother, had been charmed by the handsome face of Tegh Bahadur and she and her husband pledged the hand of their daughter to him.
After the marriage ceremony, the couple came to reside in Amritsar. Bride Gujari won the appreciation of everyone. “Like bridegroom like bride” records Gurbilas Chhenvi Patshahi. “Gujari is by destiny made worthy of Tegh Bahadur in every way.” In 1635, Mata Gujari left Amritsar with the holy family and went to reside at Kiratpur, in the Sivalik foothills.
After the death of Guru Hargobind in 1644, she came with her husband and mother in law, Mata Nanaki, to Bakala, now in Amritsar district of the Punjab. There they lived in peaceful seclusion, Tegh Bahadur spending his days and nights in meditation and Gujari performing the humble duties of a pious and devoted housewife.After he was installed Guru in 1664, Guru Tegh Bahadur, accompanied by Mata Gujari, went on a visit to Amritsar, travelling on to Makhoval, near Kiratpur, where a new habitation, named Chakk Nanaki (later Anandpur) was founded in the middle of 1665. Soon after this, Guru Tegh Bahadur along with his mother, Nanaki, and wife, Gujari, set out on a long journey to the east.
Leaving the family at Patna, he travelled on to Bengal and Assam. At Patna, Mata Gujari gave birth to a son on 22 December 1666. The child was named Gobind Rai, the illustrious Guru Gobind Singh of later day.Guru Tegh Bahadur returned to Patna in 1670 for a brief stay before lie left for Delhi, instructing the family to proceed to Lakhnaur, now in Haryana.
Mata Gujari, accompanied by the aged Mata Nanaki and young Gobind Rai, reached, on 13 September 1670, Lakhnaur where she stayed with her brother, Mehar Chand, until she was joined by her husband. An old well just outside Lakhnaur village and reverently called Mataji da Khuh or Mata Gujari da Khuh still commemorates her visit. From Lakhnaur the family proceeded to Chakk Nanaki where Guru Tegh Bahadur rejoined them in March 1671 after spending some more time travelling through the Malva region and meeting sangats.At Chakk Nanaki, 11 July 1675 was a momentous day when Guru Tegh Bahadur left for Delhi prepared to make the supreme sacrifice.
She showed courage at the time of parting and bore the ultimate trial with fortitude. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed in Delhi on 11 November 1675, and, Guru Gobind Singh then being very young, the responsibility of managing the affairs at Chakk Nanaki, initially, fell to her. She was assisted in the task by her younger brother, Kirpal Chand. When in face of a prolonged siege by hostile hill rajas and Mughal troops Chakk Nanaki (Anandpur) had to be evacuated by Guru Gobind Singh on the night of 56 December 1705, Mata Gujari with her younger grandsons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, aged nine and seven year respectively, was separated from the main body while crossing the rivulet Sarsa.
The three of them were led by their servant, Garigu, to the latter\’s village, Saheri, near Morinda in present day Ropar district, where he treacherously betrayed them to the local Muslim officer. Mata Gujari and her grandsons were arrested on 8 December and confined in Sirhind Fort in what is referred to in Sikh chronicles as Thanda Burj, the cold tower. As the children were summoned to appear in court from day to day, the grandmother kept urging them to remain steadfast in their faith. On 11 December they were ordered to be bricked up alive in a wall, but, since the masonry crumbled before it covered their heads, they were executed the following day.
Mata Gujari died the same day in the tower. Seth Todar Mall, a kind hearted wealthy man of Sirhind, cremated the three dead bodies the next day. At Fatehgarh Sahib, near Sirhind, there is a shrine called Gurdwara Mata Gujari (Thanda Burj). This is where Mata Gujari spent the last four days of her life.
About one kilometre to the southeast of it is Gurdwara Joti Sarup, marking the cremation site. Here, on the ground floor, a small domed pavilion in white marble is dedicated to Mata Gujari. The Sikhs from far and near come to pay homage to her memory, especially during a three day fair held from 1113 Poh, Bikrami dates falling in the last week of December.
References :
1. Trilochan Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Delhi, 1967
2. Haibans Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Delhi, 1982
3. Salibir Singh, Iti Jim Ka-ii. Jalandhar, 1981
Mata Gujari: A Devoted Sikh Matriarch, detailing her life, sacrifices, and enduring influence on the Sikh tradition.
Early Life and Spiritual Roots
Mata Gujari (also known as Mata Gujar Kaur) was born in 1624 in Kartarpur, Punjab, into a pious family known for its deep commitment to the emerging Sikh faith. Her parents, Bhai Lal Chand Subulikka and Bishan Kaur, nurtured values of devotion, humility, and righteousness from an early age. These roots laid the foundation for a life dedicated not just to familial duties but also to serving the spiritual community—a calling that would later have profound repercussions for Sikh history .
Marriage to Guru Tegh Bahadur
At a young age, Mata Gujari was betrothed to Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhism. Their marriage, solemnized on 4 February 1633 at Kartarpur, was not merely a personal union but a melding of two lives destined to fortify the Sikh Panth. Embracing her role as the Guru’s consort, she became a pillar of strength and quiet resilience, supporting her husband through the myriad challenges of a turbulent era. Her unwavering faith and dignity infused the household with the spirit of Sikh ideals, setting the stage for future generations .
Matriarchal Leadership and Guardianship
Mata Gujari’s most defining role emerged with the birth of her son, Gobind Rai (later known as Guru Gobind Singh), born on 22 December 1666. After the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the responsibility for nurturing the spiritual legacy fell on her shoulders. As a matriarch, she not only cared for her son but took on the critical task of safeguarding the values and traditions of Sikhism during a period of intense adversity. Her leadership was instrumental in forming a resilient household that became a beacon of hope and moral fortitude in the face of relentless persecution .
During the tumultuous years that followed—a period marked by forced exiles, internal trials, and external threats—Mata Gujari’s steadfast guidance helped ensure the survival and continuity of Sikh principles. Her role as guardian extended to her grandchildren as well. She bore the heavy burden of caring for her grandsons when the family was forced to leave Anandpur Sahib in search of refuge. The tragic fate of her grandsons, who were executed in Sirhind, added an even more poignant dimension to her legacy as a protector of the Sikh lineage.
Legacy of Sacrifice, Resilience, and Devotion
Mata Gujari is remembered not only for her personal sacrifices and steadfast commitment but also for the lasting influence she imparted on the Sikh community:
- Keeper of the Sikh Ethos:
Through her years of guidance and caretaking, Mata Gujari nurtured the ideals that would eventually be embodied by Guru Gobind Singh and the subsequent evolution of the Sikh Panth. Her personal example of humility, fortitude, and unwavering faith remains a source of inspiration for Sikh devotees. - Symbol of Maternal Strength:
Despite the overwhelming challenges—be it the absence of her husband during critical periods or the catastrophic loss of her young grandsons—Mata Gujari exhibited an extraordinary strength. Her life story has been commemorated in Sikh literature and art, where she is portrayed as the epitome of sacrifice and resilience. - Cultural and Spiritual Beacon:
Mata Gujari’s influence extends to contemporary discussions about the role of women in Sikhism. Her life continues to exemplify how maternal guidance and steadfast moral conviction can nurture not only the growth of a family but also the broader spirit of an entire community.
Her enduring legacy is celebrated across many Sikh historical narratives and remains a powerful reminder of the sanctity of family, the strength of conviction, and the transformative power of silent yet potent leadership .
Conclusion
The life of Mata Gujari is a testament to the transformative impact of devotion, resilience, and maternal guidance. As the devoted wife of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the nurturing mother of Guru Gobind Singh, her quiet yet steadfast strength helped safeguard the Sikh legacy during its most testing moments. Her story continues to inspire countless generations—reminding modern Sikhs that the true power of a community lies as much in the support of its matriarchs as in the valor of its warriors.
