Veer Mata Shrimati Vidyavati Kaur: A Symbol of Motherhood, Sacrifice, and National Service(Demise: 1 June 1975)

Veer Mata Shrimati Vidyavati Kaur: A Symbol of Motherhood, Sacrifice, and National Service
(Demise: 1 June 1975)


India’s history is replete with tales of valiant heroes and great personalities, yet the sacrifices and penance of the mothers who gave birth to these heroes are equally glorious. Shrimati Vidyavati Kaur, the revered mother of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, stands as a remarkable example of patriotism, renunciation, endurance, and inner strength. She was not only the mother of a martyr but also a silent ascetic of the freedom struggle who embodied the highest ideals of womanhood.

Motherhood Rooted in Noble Values

Shrimati Vidyavati was married to freedom fighter Sardar Kishan Singh. Her father-in-law, Sardar Arjun Singh, was a staunch Arya Samajist who performed daily yajnas (sacred rituals). Immersed in such a spiritual and patriotic environment, Vidyavati naturally inclined toward social reform activities of the Arya Samaj and dedicated herself to these causes. Her entire life unfolded in a household that constantly echoed with the spirit of sacrifice and national devotion.

A Steely Woman Forged Through Struggles

Her life was marked by relentless hardship and trials. Her brother-in-law, Sardar Ajit Singh, spread revolutionary fervor abroad, while another relative, Sardar Swarn Singh, attained martyrdom under brutal jail conditions. Her husband, Kishan Singh, spent much of his life entangled in prisons and court cases. Amid these storms, Vidyavati transformed her home into a school of patriotism.

She raised her nine children with the essence of nationalism. The death of her elder son, Jagat Singh, at just 11, and the execution of Bhagat Singh at 23—these tragedies would shatter any mother, but Vidyavati bore them with unwavering inner strength. Despite their worsening financial condition—their land was ruined, home swept away, cattle stolen—she remained steadfast.

The Mother of a Revolutionary

When Bhagat Singh chose the path of revolution, his mother stood firmly by him. Their final meeting in jail, though heartbreaking, became a timeless inspiration. Bhagat Singh, smiling, told her:

“Bebe Ji, don’t come to claim my body. If you cry, people will say Bhagat Singh’s mother is weeping.”

That mother suppressed her tears and offered her sorrow at the altar of the nation.

Her Final Years: Silent Service and True Patriotism

After independence, when many revolutionaries were forgotten, Vidyavati became their mother. She quietly supported them, even placing her pension money beneath their pillows. In 1965, at the launch of the epic poem "Bhagat Singh" by Shrikrishna ‘Sarla’ in Ujjain, the respect she received was evidence of the nation's deep reverence for her. She selflessly donated the ₹11,000 she received there toward the medical treatment of revolutionary Batukeshwar Dutt.

Fulfillment of Motherhood and Her Final Journey

On 1 June 1975, at the age of 96, Vidyavati Kaur breathed her last in a Delhi hospital, at peace with the thought that she would now reunite with her immortal son, Bhagat Singh. Even decades after India’s independence, she lived a life devoted to the nation. She was honored with the title "Punjab Mata", a testimony to her sacrifice and devotion.

Conclusion

Shrimati Vidyavati Kaur stands as a towering symbol of Indian motherhood—one where giving birth is just the beginning, and nurturing a soul imbued with love for the motherland is the true essence. Her life of resilience, dignity, and idealism continues to illuminate the path for every Indian woman.

To this virtuous soul, patriot, and saintly mother—India bows in deepest reverence.
Vande Mataram!

टिप्पणियाँ

इस ब्लॉग से लोकप्रिय पोस्ट

सुमित्रानंदन पंत(20 मई 1900- 28 दिसंबर 1977)

*जूड़-शीतल: मिथिला का पारंपरिक त्योहार(एक सांस्कृतिक धरोहर की अनुभूति)

माधव सदाशिवराव गोलवलकर (19 फरवरी 1906 – 5 जून 1973)