Sri Muktsar Sahib

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮਕਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ Sri Muktsar Sahib
—  District  —
Details
Coordinates :	N, E
Country :	India
State :	Punjab
District :	Sri Muktsar Sahib
Population :	117,085 as at 2001
Population Density :	/km2
Timezone :	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area :	km2
Altitude :	184 m
Telephone code :	01633
Postal code :	152026
Vehicle code :	PB30
Website :
Other Information:

Sri Muktsar Sahib often referred to as Muktsar, is a historical city and district headquarters in Punjab, India. It is the 14th largest city of Punjab, in terms of population. The second Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Angad Dev ji (Nanak II) was born in the village Matte-di-Sarai (Sarainaga) in the same district. The city was named Muktsar after the Battle of Muktsar in 1705 and the district headquarters in 1995. The government officially changed the name of the city to Sri Muktsar Sahib in 2012, though the city is still primarily referred to by its earlier name – Muktsar.

Geography

The city is located in the southwestern zone of Indian Punjab and is bounded by the state of Rajasthan and Haryana in the south. The city and district of Faridkot lies to its north and Bathinda to the east. It lies between 30° 69 N and 29° 87 N latitude and 74° 21 E and 74° 86 E longitude.

History

Muktsar, literally, means the Pool of Liberation"

Sri Muktsar Sahib has a proud heritage. It is known as the last battlefield of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1705 A.D., which proved to be a most decisive conflict in the military history of the Sikhs.

The forty Sikh warriors fought to death here against the Mughals under the leadership of tenth Guru. After the war, the city was renamed as Muktsar in their memory and recently the goverment has renamed it as Sri Muktsar Sahib due to its religious as well as historical importance.

Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837) visited the place and did kar sewa of a Gurudwara here which was reconstructed in the 80s.

Fairs and Festivals

The Shaheedi Jor Mela (Mela Maghi) (Punjabi: ਮੇਲਾ ਮਾਘੀ), held in the town in the memory of the forty Sikhs who sacrificed their lived in the battlefield of Khidrana, is very famous. The huge Mela, held the next day to Lohri, is held at an open space mainly on the Bathinda & Malout roads. People from all over the world, visit the place on this day to take a dip in the holy Sarovar.

A fair for animals, specially for horses, known as Ghorhian da Mela (Fair of Horses) is the other famous one.

Gurudwaras

The City is blessed with the Holy Shrines, such as Gurudwara Tutti Gandi Sahib, Shaheed Ganj Sahib Gurudwara, Tibbi Sahib Gurudwara and many more like:

• Tutti Gandi Sahib (Sri Darbar Sahib) Gurdwara
• Shaheed Ganj Sahib Gurudwara
• Mata Bhag Kaur Gurudwara
• Tambu Sahib Gurudwara
• Tibbi Sahib Gurudwara
• Rakab Ganj Sahib Gurudwara
• Datansar Sahib Gurudwara
• Taran Tarn Sahib Gurudwara

A few years ago, a new monument called Mukte Minar was built in the shape of Khanda Sahib, in the memory of the forty martyrs

Tutti Gandi Sahib (Sri Darbar Sahib) Gurdwara

Sri Darbar Sahib is the principle shrine at Muktsar. This town commemorates the martyrdom of the Fourty Muktas, or the Liberated Ones. It is associated with the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. During the siege of Anand Pur Sahib, a group of Sikhs from the Majha contingent had decamped after declaring that they had no claim to being the Guru's Sikhs. However, when they returned to their homes, they were condemned by everyone, including their womenfolk. Under the guidance of a courageous lady, Mai Bhago, they went in search of the Guru who had in the meanwhile left Anandpur Sahib. With Mughal forces in hot pursuit, Guru Gobind Singh Ji moved towards the Malwa region. He reached Khidrana Ki Dhab, which at that time was the only source of water in the area. While Guru Ji was resting here, the pursuing Mughal army came closer. At this time, the group of forty sikhs who were searching for the Guru to seek forgiveness, also reached there.

Quickly taking stock of the situation, this group of Sikhs fought ferociously to the last man but not before forcing the host to retrieve. In the fierce battle, all of them died except two. Guru Ji also took part in the battle, shooting arrows at the enemy from a small hillock, or tibbi. After the Mughals retreated, Guru Sahib went to the battle field. He held each one of his Sikhs in his lap and blessed them. When he reached Bhai Maha Singh, one of the two survivors, he asked him for any boon. Bhai Mahan Singh while dying responded by asking Guruji to forgive them and to tear the letter they had signed at AnandPur Sahib disowning him as their Guru. Guru Sahib immediately granted the request, took out the letter of renunciation and tore it, thus liberating the forty Sikhs. Mahan Singh breathed his last in the Guru's lap. Mai Bhago, who lay seriously ill, recovered and served the Guru for many years. This event is remembered even in the Ardas performed by Sikhs every day. By tearing the letter, Guru Sahib retied the knot between himself and his Sikhs. This is referred to as Tuti Gandi, or the Broken Ties Retied. The birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Shahidi Purab of Guru Arjun Dev Ji are celebrated with great fervour here. Besides, the Magh Mela is organized on the 12th and 13th of January to commemorate the sacrifice of the Forty Muktas. Diwali and Baisakhi are also celebrated. Accomodation: Shri Kalgidhar Niwas with forty rooms is available here for the devotees to stay during their visit.

Shaheed Ganj Sahib Gurudwara

Gurudwara Shahid Ganj is located opposite Gurudwara Tutti Gandi Sahib. It is an important pilgrimage centre. The present name is derived from the Chali Muktas (Forty Redeemed) who sacrificed their lives here, fighting against the Mughals. The troops of Wazir Khan Nawab of Sirhind, came in pursuit of the Guru, fought with the Sikhs and were routed.

This was the last military engagement in which the Guru was envolved. It took place on December 29, 1705. The Guru personally cremated the martyrs. When Guru Gobind Singh along with devotees was collecting the dead warriors for cremation, he saw one of them named Mahan Singh, whom bleeding to death was still clinging to life. On seeing the Guru, he made an effort to rise. The Guru at once took him in his embrace, and sat down beside him. Mahan Singh tearful and exhausted, requested the great Master to destroy the Bedahwa, the letter, disclaiming his being a Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh, submitted by the fourty Sikhs of Majha who had asked permission to leave Anandpur, even as their Guru and fellow Sikhs were still holding out against the armies of the hill-chiefs and their Mughal supporters. The Guru also restored the broken link. The merciful Guru took their document and tore it up. That is how the Great Guru showed infinite mercy towards his followers. The four Gurdwaras located at Muktsar are Shahid Ganj Sahib, Tibbi Sahib, Tambu Sahib and Darbar Sahib.

Gurdwara Shahid Ganj Sahib also called Angitha Sahib, later constructed here, commemorates the place where the last rites of the Forty Muktas, or the Liberated ones, were performed. Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself performed the last rites of the forty sikhs who laid down their lives in the battle at Muktsar and named the place as Shahid Ganj.

Gurdwara Shahid Ganj is picturesquely set, beside a water tank. its interior walls are covered with paintings of the Sikh Gurus and scenes from their lives.

This shrine is the meeting place of millions of devotees, who gather here on the first day of the month Magha (12th and 13th of January) according to the Indian Calendar. Called the Magh Mela it is celebrated with great enthusiasm here.

Datansar Sahib Gurudwara

This gurdwara is associated with the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. During his stay at Muktsar, Guru Sahib was brushing his teeth one morning. A Mughal soldier, sent to kill Guru Sahib, attacked him from behind. Guru Sahib reacted swiftly and hit the soldier on the head with the utensil that he had with him. The Mughal soldier was killed on the spot. A small Manji sahib was constructed at this place and named Datan Sar (datan means toothbrush). Later on, a gurdwara was constructed here. The grave of the Mughal soldier is also present near the gurdwara. The birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and shahidi purab of Guru Arjun Dev Ji are celebrated with great fervour here. Besides, the Magh Mela is organized on the 12th and 13th of January to commemorate the sacrifice of the Forty Muktas. Diwali and Baisakhi are also celebrated Location

Gurdwara Sri Datan Sar Sahib is located on the outskirts of Muktsar city near Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib on the Guru Harsahai-Muktsar bypass. It is three kilometers from Gurdwara Tuti Gandi Sahib, Muktsar.

Rakabsar Sahib Gurudwara

Gurdwara Rakabsar Sahib is located 200 meters east of Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib. According to local tradition, as Guru Gobind Singh Ji came down from the Tibbi and was going to mount his horse, the rakab (stirrup) snapped. Hence the name of the shrine was called Gurdwara Rakabsar Sahib. That separated Rakab is still kept in the Gurdwara.

The birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and shahidi purab of Guru Arjun Dev Ji are celebrated with great fervour here. Besides, the Magh Mela is organized on the 12th and 13th of January to commemorate the sacrifice of the Forty Muktas. Diwali and Baisakhi are also celebrated.

Location

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Gurdwara Rakabsar Sahib is located on the outskirts of the city of Muktsar on the Gurharsahai-Muktsar bypass road, opposite Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib. It is three kilometers from Gurdwara Tuti Gandi Sahib

Battle of Muktsar

In 1705, after battle of Chamkaur against the Mughals, Guru Gobind Singh started looking out for a suitable place from where he could re-group his forces and battle the Mughal forces, who were now supported by the Dogra hill chiefs. Assisted by an experienced guide of a Brar chief, the guru reached Khidrane Di Dhab where he finally decided to meet the enemy. He received news of imperial troops, at least 10,000 strong, under Wazir Khan, subedar of Sirhind pursuing him. Earlier, in 1704, when Guru Gobind Singh's Army was treacherously surrounded in Anandpur Sahib by the Moghul forces, supported by Dogra hill chiefs, Sikhs had run out of provisions. Some historians believe that 40 Sikhs from Majha region of Jhabal had deserted the Guru. Historians believe that the Guru asked them to write a formal declaration stating they no longer wish to fight alongside Guru Gobind Singh. However, realizing their mistake of deserting him, and under the motivation of Mai Bhago, these 40 deserters came back to join the Guru's forces at Sri Muktsar Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh also sent reinforcements, though the number of Sikh soldiers is disputed. Historians like Latif have put it at 12,000, although the Sikh chroniclers say they were far fewer, some say as few as forty. They showered arrows from his strategic position on the mound, down upon the imperial army, killing a number of them. The resistance of the Sikhs became fierce. The enemy became restive for want of water. It was not possible for them to reach the lake of Khidrana. As it was semi-desert terrain and the summer heat was reaching its peak, the Guru knew of its importance and based his defenses around the water reservoir. The only water they could get was fifteen miles behind them. Thirst and oppressive heat, and the tough resistance offered by the Sikhs, compelled the Mughal army to retreat. Guru Gobind Singh won this last Mughal-Khalsa battle, which had resulted in heavy casualties. At the end of the battle, when he was looking for survivors, Mai Bhago, who was lying wounded, told him how the forty deserters had laid down their lives fighting in the battlefield. Mai Bhago recovered and remained in the Guru's presence after the battle of Sri Muktsar Sahib. When Guru Gobind Singh along with his Sikhs, was collecting the dead bodies for cremation, he found one man, named Mahan Singh, still clinging to life. On seeing the Guru, he made an effort to rise; the Guru at once took him in his embrace, and sat down with him. Mahan Singh, tearful and exhausted, requested the guru to destroy the document disclaiming his being a Sikh of the Guru. Before Mahan Singh died, Guru Gobind Singh took the document and tore it up. It is a legendary belief that this gave "mukti", meaning freedom, to those 40 Sikhs and hence, the city got its modern-day name Muktsar, where the word "sar" is derived from the word "sarovar", meaning reservoir, with reference to the Kidrana reservoir.

Special Events at this Gurdwara

The birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and shahidi purab of Guru Arjun Dev Ji are celebrated with great fervour here. The Magh Mela is organized on the 12th and 13th of January to commemorate the sacrifice of the Forty Muktas. Diwali and Baisakhi are also celebrated with enthusiasm.

Location

Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib is located on the outskirts of the city of Muktsar on the Guru harsahai-Muktsar bypass road. It is three kilometers from Gurudwara Tuti Gandi Sahib.

External links

• Official website
• Google maps of Sri Muktsar sahib