Jitoji, Mata, the first wife of Guru Gobind Singh who died in 1700, was the daughter of Bhai Hari Jas, a Subhikkhi Khatun of Lahore. The betrothal had taken place in 1673. The father-in-law had desired that the bridegroom should come at the head of a marriage party to Lahore where the ceremony should be performed with due dignity. But the fateful events leading to the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur intervened, and in the changed circumstances it was not possible for the young Guru to go to Lahore.
Therefore, a temporary encampment was raised near the village of Basantgarh, 10 km north of Anandpur, and named Guru ka Lahore where the nuptials were held on 23 Har 1734 Bk/21 June 1677. Three sons were born to Mata Jitoji: Jujhar Singh (14 March 1691), Zorawar Singh (17 November 1696), and Fateh Singh (25 February 1699). As Guru Gobind Singh was preparing amrit for initiating the Khalsa on 30 March 1699, stirring clean water in an iron bowl with a khanda or double-edged sword, Mata Jitoji, as the tradition goes, came with sugar crystals which were dropped into the vessel at the Guru’s bidding. Sweetness was thus added to the alchemy of steel.
Mata Jitoji died at Anandpur on 5 December 1700. The cremation took place at Agampura, near the Holgarh Fort. A memorial shrine now stands upon the spot.
References:
- Chhibbar, Kesar Singh,Bansavalinama Dass Patshahian Ka., Chandigarh, 1972
Mata JITO JI was the wife of Guru Gobind Singh ji (1666-1708), the daughter of Bhai Ram Saran, a Kumarav Khatri of Bijvara, in present-day Hoshiarpur district of the Punjab. Her name JITO JI according to old traditions was changed by her In Laws to be lovingly called as SUNDARI JI. She was married to Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur on 4 April 1684. Four sons were born to Mata Jito ji/Sundari ji – Baba Ajit Singh ji, Baba Jujhar Singh ji (14 March 1691), Baba Zorawar Singh ji (17 November 1696) and Baba Fateh Singh ji (25 February 1699).
Mata Jitoji (also known as Ajeet Kaur in some accounts) holds a distinguished place in Sikh history as the first wife of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Her life, though documented in a few key historical sources, reflects the complex interplay of familial duty, courageous resilience, and the evolving Sikh identity during a critical period of transition.
Early Life and Marriage
Mata Jitoji was born into a respected family in Lahore—her father, Bhai Hari Jas, belonged to the Subhikkhi Khatun, a lineage noted for its standing within the local community. In 1673, her betrothal was arranged to Guru Gobind Singh (then known as Gobind Rai). At that time, following the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, circumstances made it impossible for the traditional journey to Lahore. Consequently, instead of the customary elaborate ceremonies in her hometown, a temporary encampment was established near Basantgarh—approximately 10 km north of Anandpur Sahib—called Guru ka Lahore. Here, on 21 June 1677, the nuptial rites were conducted with due dignity despite the challenging times.
Role as a Wife and Mother
In her marriage to Guru Gobind Singh, Mata Jitoji became an integral part of the Guru’s personal and spiritual life. Their union produced three sons: Jujhar Singh (born 14 March 1691), Zorawar Singh (born 17 November 1696), and Fateh Singh (born 25 February 1699). Each of these children would later become significant figures, symbolizing both the continuing legacy of the Guru’s lineage and the tumult of the period. Although Guru Gobind Singh later married Mata Sundari—whose son Ajit Singh is often more prominently noted in historical narratives—Mata Jitoji’s role as the mother of three of his key sons cements her place in the familial and spiritual foundations of Sikhism.
Symbolic Contributions to the Khalsa
Her contributions extend beyond her roles as wife and mother. A defining moment that encapsulates her symbolic importance occurred during the historic Vaisakhi festival in 1699. As Guru Gobind Singh prepared the amrit (a sacred nectar used in the initiation of the Khalsa) by stirring clean water in an iron bowl with a khanda (a double-edged sword), Mata Jitoji is traditionally remembered for bringing sugar crystals to be added at the Guru’s bidding. This act—though seemingly simple—has been interpreted as imbuing the nascent Khalsa with the sweetness of compassion and the spirit of unity, melding the ferocity of martial preparation with a nurturing, life-affirming quality.
Legacy and Remembrance
Mata Jitoji’s life came to a close on 5 December 1700 at Anandpur Sahib. Her cremation took place at Agampura, near the Holgarh Fort, and a memorial shrine now stands at the site, serving as a reminder of her enduring contribution to Sikh heritage. Through her life and actions, she is revered not just as the wife of a great Guru but also as a figure in her own right—a custodian of family honor and a subtle but important participant in the cultural and spiritual transformation of the Sikh community during a period rife with both challenge and promise.
Her story invites deeper reflection on the role of women in early Sikh history, illuminating how personal acts of devotion and symbolic gestures were woven into the fabric of a broader socio-religious revolution. In an era marked by conflict and rapid change, Mata Jitoji’s legacy remains an emblem of resilience, gentle strength, and the transformative power of the spiritual and family bonds that helped shape Sikh identity.
