Chamkaur Sahib falls in Ludhiana District. The Gurdwaras located here relate to the battles fought by
Guru Gobind Singh with the Imperial troops. Gurdwara Garhi Sahib marks the place used by the Guru as
temporary citadel in the unequal battle on 7th December 1705. On occupying the house during the night
of 6/7 December, he had assigned 8 Sikhs each to guard each side of the four sided perimeter wall, while
another two, Madan Singh and Kotha Singh, were posted at the only entrance which faced north. Guru
Gobind Singh, with his sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh and other disciples, took up positions on the first
floor of the house in the centre. The Sikhs were sent in small batches to fight with hundred of peoples on
the other side. Another Gurdwara, Qatalgarh Sahib (Sahid Ganj) is on the spot where thickest hand to hand
fight took place on 7 December 1705 between the Mughal army and the Sikhs, including the Sahibzadas, Ajit
Singh and Jujhar Singh, and three of the original five Piare (the Five Beloved). One Gurdwara near around is
dedicated to Bhai Jivan Singh. Jivan Singh was the same Bhai Jaita who had brought Guru Tegh Bahadar’s
head after his execution from Delhi to Kiratpur in 1675, and earned from Guru Gobind Singh the endearing
title of ‘Ranghrete Guru ke Bete’. Upon his initiation into the order of the Khalsa in 1699, he had received
the name of Jivan Singh. According to the Bhatt Vahis, he was killed in a rearguard action on the bank of the
Sarsa. This Gurdwara commemorates the historical battle- fought by Guru Gobind Singh in a small fortress.
He faced a mighty Mughal army with just forty Sikhs. On the same spot, the great Guru blessed his two
elder sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, saw them off to the battle field and exhorted them to attain spiritual
perfection by sacrificing their lives. The two Sahibzadas and 37 Sikhs, attained martyrdom in the battle.
Here stands a pillar, on which the words breathing the spirit of determination in the battle field are inscribed.
O Lord! Bless me, That I may never be deterred from righteous actions,
And fear no adversary in battle, That victories be mine,
Let conscience be my guide, I crave that I may sing Thy Praises,
May I draw my last breath in heroic battle.
Never before, has any teenager warrior, displayed a cool courage in the face of death. Their heroic
deeds against tyranny are remembered every year by grateful devotees. They assemble in thousands at
Chamkaur Sahib to attend the Shahidi Jormela in the memory of the two Sahibzadas. There are five
historical Gurdwaras at Chamkaur. Gurdwara Garhi Sahib, stands at a place, where once stood a haveli of
one Chaudhri Garibu. This was converted into a fortress by Guruji to face the larger Mughal hostile force.
Another Gurdwara is Tarhi Sahib. Here the Tenth Master left the Garhi along with his three devoted Sikhs at
dead of night. The place where they clapped hands to announce the departure of the Guru, a memorial called
‘Tarhi Sahib’, has been raised. Gurdwara ‘Qatalgarh Sahib’ commemorates the martyrdom of the Guru’s
two elder sons, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, who displayed supreme valour and heroism and became martyrs
while fighting against formidable odds.
Other Gurdwaras at Chamkaur Sahib
Gurudwara Qatalgarh Sahib (Shahid Ganj), west of Garhi Sahib, is the main shrine at Chamkaur Sahib.
This marks the site where the thickest hand to hand fight took place on 7 December 1705 between the
Mughal army and the Sikhs, including the Sahibzadas, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, and three of the original
Gurdwara Bhatha Sahib Ropar Gurdwara Patalpuri Kiratpur Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj
Chamkaur Sahib
Gurdwara Sheshmahal Kiratpur
Some Prominent Gurdwaras and 32 Sikh Organizations of The World
five Piare (the Five Beloved). A Gurdwara was constructed here by Sardar Hardial Singh of Bela in 1831 but
that building was replaced during the 1960’s by a new complex raised under the supervision of Sant Piara
Singh of Jhar Sahib and later on Sant Bishan Singh of Amritsar. The main building called Manji Sahib is an
elegant three storied domed structure standing upon a high base. The large divan hall contains an eight metre
square sanctum. Another vast hall close by is called Akal Bunga. It was used for the daily congregations before
Manji Sahib was constructed. To the west of Akal Bunga is an old Baoli Sahib is still in use. The Guru ka
Langar, community kitchen, is further north from Baoli Sahib and Akal Bunga. The Gurdwara also houses
the offices of the local managing committee which administers all historical shrines at Chamkaur under the
overall control of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. In addition to the daily services, largely
attended assemblies take place on the first of each Bikrami month and on important anniversaries on Sikh
calendar. A three day fair called Shahidi Jor Mela is held on 6, 7 and 8 Poh, usually corresponding with
20th, 21st and 22nd December, commemorating the martyrs of Chamkaur.
