Author Topic: History of Fatehgarh Sahib (Read 10473 times)

Kudi Nepal Di · « **on:** June 29, 2010, 06:50:46 AM »

The city is a historically important town north of Patiala, especially for the Sikh faith. It has a number of Gurudwaras (temples of Sikh faith), Gurudwara Fatehgarh Saheb and Gurudwara Jyoti Sarup are the most important among them. The town had a historically important event in 1704 when the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh who were bricked alive by Wazir Khan, the then Fauzdar of Sirhind. This Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib is now ereceted at the same place where the sacrifice happened. It is named Fatehgarh (Town of Victory) because it marks the conquest of the Sikhs in 1710 when under the leadership of Banda Bahadur, the Sikhs ran over the area and razed the fort (built during Balban's rule) to the ground.

Gurudwara Jyoti Sarup Sahib is about 1 Km from Fatehgarh Sahib on Sirhind- Chandigarh road. It was at this place that the mortal remains of Mata Gujri, the mother of Guru Gobind Singh and his two younger sons, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh were cremated. Wazir Khan, the then Faujdar of Sirhind refused to allow the cremation of the bodies unless the land for the cremation was purchased by laying gold coins on it. Todar Mal, who was an ardent devotee of Guru Gobind Singh, purchased this place of land by offering gold coins as demanded. And thus etched his name in the annals of Sikh history and earned the salutation of Deewan. The town has four memorial gates surrounding it, each in the memory of four important persons from the Sikh history associated with Sirhind. These are: Deewan Todar Mal, Nawab Sher Muhammed Khan, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and Baba Moti Ram Mehra. All belonged to different castes / religions, thus depicting the harmony and brotherhood among people of those times.

Sirhind is famous for renowned Mujaddad Alif Saani Sheikh Ahmed Farooqi Sirhindi (Rh) great sufi saint a founder and repairer of Niqshbandi, Majaddaddi school of Sufism. His and his sons Masoom Sahib's and various others mausoleum is there, 200 meters from Gurdwara Fateh Garh.

Aam Khas Bagh
Fatehgarh Sahib district has many historic monuments that stand testimony to its Afghan and Mughal links. The Mughals are still alive in magnificent architectural legacy, which they had left for the future generations. One such monument is the Aam Khas Bagh. It was built by Akbar and later developed by Jehangir and Shahjahan. As the name suggests, the garden, spread in an area of a mile and a half, was divided into two parts meant for both, the 'aam' (public) and 'khas' (rulers). Mughal Emperors used to stay here while going to and coming back from Lahore.

The royal part of the building 'Sheesh Mahal' is also known as Daulat-Khana-e-Khas, it is a double-storeyed building. Jehangir built it for his residential purpose. It is considered to be the most beautiful building of those times. Beautiful paintings and murals on its walls show the love of 'Mughals' for art. It is surrounded by a number of fountains and a pool, but with the passage of time all these have turned into ruins.

The other part of the building, depicting perfect architectural mind of the 'Mughals', is a water tank also known as Hamam, where unique hydraulic system for heating water, and hot-and-cold air-conditioning facilities were adopted. Another monument, 'Sarad Khana' was also built by Jehangir in 1605. It was provided with a unique system of air-conditioning. The Aam Khas Bagh also has a pool with 'Mehtabi Chabutra' in the centre. It was used for organizing cultural activities, particularly for shows by female dancers and Mujra. The water for the fountains was drawn from a nearby well, known as 'Aasmani Khooh', and circulated through underground conduits.

The palace compound also has a set of fountains and fruit orchards that seems to have been around since the Mughal era. Rare plants of the Mughal period still exist here. The palace was a sort of summer retreat. Presently, the Punjab Tourism authorities are running a tourist complex 'Maulasari' & these monuments are being maintained by the Archaeological and Cultural Department of the Punjab Government. During the famous Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib, light and sound programme regarding the history of Sirhind and the martyrdom of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh is held here in the night.

Author Topic: History of Fatehgarh Sahib (Read 10473 times)

Kudi Nepal Di

History of Fatehgarh Sahib

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