Delhi

Delhi ( Punjabi: ਦਿੱਲੀ ) is the capital city of India, many would call it the heart of India. This is interesting since in several Indian languages dil means heart. It has a rich and varied culture. Occupied at various times by many different empires it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times under various names. Perhaps the first city developed near current Delhi and New Delhi is the ancient city of Hastinapur (City of the Elephants). Near Delhi at Panipat and Kurukshetra many decisive battles have been fought for the control of India. Including the Epic battle depicted in the Bagavad Gita.

General History Related to Sikhs

Historically, Delhi is very important for the Sikhs as many important Gurdwaras are located here. Many Gurus honoured the city during the period of the Sikh Gurus. Guru Hargobind was lauded in this city staying several times at a Gurdwara near Delhi. Guru Har Krishan died here while tending the plage struct inhabitants of the city as well as his own followers. The Great Guru of peace Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed in Delhi, during his stand against Emperor Aurangzeb's attemps to wipe Hinduism from the earth. On the Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Read more here.

Here too after a long seige at Gurdas Nangal Banda Singh Bahadur, his companions and son and thousands of other Sikhs would die in one of the most grewsome displays of savagery recorded in history.

Guru Gobind Singh's wife Mata Jito Ji and the mother of the Khalsa Mata Sahib Kaur would live out their days here in a local Gurdwara. From where Baba Deep Singh, a great Sikh Giani (scholar) and warrior would be appointed the first Granthi of Damdama Sahib. After the fall of the Mughals, Delhi would for a time come under the rule of Bhai Baghel Singh the leader of the Karor Singhia misl, who is celebrated as the vanquisher of Mughal Delhi. The Karor Singhia Misl was one of the misls under the Dal Khalsa, which was headed by Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. While in command of Delhi Baghel Singh built many more Gurudwaras to honour those who fell here. These Gurdwaras included:

• Gurdwara Mata Sundri.
• Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi.
• Gurdwara Bala Sahib, Delhi.
• Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, Delhi.
• Gurdwara Sis Ganj, Delhi.
• Gurdwara Moti Bagh, Delhi.
• Gurdwara Majnu ka Tilla, Delhi.

See also Delhi on Wikipedia