Cite
MLA
“Battle of the Sarsa.” Hindu History, 2026, https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-sarsa-1704/. Accessed .
APA
Hindu History. (2026). Battle of the Sarsa. Retrieved , from https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-sarsa-1704/
The Guru’s party crossed the flooded river under attack with heavy losses; his family was scattered and much of his writing was lost.
01The broken oath
After months of siege at Anandpur, the Mughal commanders and the hill rajas swore on the Quran and on the cow that the Guru and his Sikhs could leave in safety. On a winter night in December 1704 the Guru left the fort with his family and followers. By dawn the column had reached the Sarsa, a hill stream swollen by winter rain. There the besiegers fell on it. Bhai Udai Singh and Bhai Jiwan Singh led the rearguard and held the enemy back until they were killed.
02Parted at the river
In the confusion of the crossing many Sikhs drowned and the Guru’s manuscripts and baggage were swept away. The family was separated. Mata Gujri, the Guru’s mother, went with the two younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, and was later betrayed and taken to Sirhind, where the boys were bricked up alive. The Guru crossed with the two elder sons and about forty Sikhs and reached Chamkaur, where the next day the elder sons fell in battle. Gurdwara Parivar Vichhora Sahib marks the place of parting.
The Sarsa crossing opened the week of martyrdoms remembered every December by Sikhs: Chamkaur and the sacrifice of the four Sahibzade.
