ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>DAMDAM&#256 S&#256HIB</TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="DAMDAM,SHIB"> <META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279DAMDAM&#256 S&#256HIB, also known as Tavwa&#7751&#7693&#299 S&#257bo (29º - 59' N, 75º - 5'E), a small town 28 km southeast of Ba&#7789hi&#7751&#7693&#257 in the Punjab, is sacred to the Sikhs as the seat of one of their five <i>ta<u>kh</u>ts</i> or centres of highest religious authority. Damdam&#257 S&#257hib, place of repose where the Gur&#363 had some respite after a period of continuous turmoil, was visited successively by Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur while travelling in these parts in the early 1670's, and Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh who put up here for over nine months in 1706. Tradition also recounts a visit by Gur&#363 N&#257nak during one of his journeys across the country. In the earlier half of the eighteenth century, the place became for the Sikhs a cantonment as well as a seat of learning. It gained renown especially under B&#257b&#257 D&#299p Si&#7749gh Shah&#299d (d. 1757). The Shiroma&#7751&#299 Gurdw&#257r&#257 Parbandhak Committee approved, vide Resolution No. 32, dated 18 November 1966, Damdam&#257 S&#257hib as a <i>ta<u>kh</u>t</i>, adjured the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 to keep this <i>ta<u>kh</u>t</i> in mind as they did in the past while saying their <i>ard&#257s</i>, and recommended to the Punjab Government amendment to Gurdw&#257r&#257 Act so that the <i>jathed&#257r</i> of the <i>ta<u>kh</u>t</i>, like those of the other four <i>ta<u>kh</u>ts</i>, could be counted as an <i>ex officio</i> member of the Shiroma&#7751&#299 Committee. Several shrines, <i>sarovars</i> and <i>bu&#7749g&#257s</i> survive as relics of its historical past.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 MAÑJ&#298 S&#256HIB SR&#298 GUR&#362 TE<u>GH</u> BAH&#256DUR P&#256TSH&#256H&#298 NAUV&#298&#7748, also called Darb&#257r S&#257hib, is a flat roofed rectangular room, marking the site where Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur is believed to have put up and preached. Daily gatherings for religious prayers, <i>k&#299rtan</i> and discourses take place here. Sacred relics including two swords, one muzzle-loading gun, a seal and an old copy of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib are preserved here in a domed cubicle behind the sanctum. Another relic, a mirror, said to have been presented to Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh by the <i>sa&#7749gat</i> of Delhi, is displayed in the hall. Of the two swords, one is believed to have belonged to Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh and the other, heavy and double-edged, to B&#257b&#257 D&#299p Si&#7749gh. The muzzle-loader is believed to be the one Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh received as a present (<i>See</i> THA&#7770&#256 S&#256HIB below).</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 MAÑJ&#298 S&#256HIB P&#256TSH&#256H&#298 IX <i>ate</i> X is another shrine dedicated to Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur. About 100 metres to the west of Darb&#257r S&#257hib, it marks the spot where he used to sit supervising the digging of the tank, Gur&#363sar. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh also sanctified the site by a visit during his stay at Talva&#7751&#7693&#299 S&#257bo. The present building, constructed by the Sant Sev&#257k Jath&#257, Bu&#7749g&#257 Mast&#363&#257&#7751&#257, is a marble-floored hall with a circular tower topped by a domed pavilion at each corner. The Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is seated on a canopied seat of white marble, tastefully carved, in a square sanctum marked off by marble-lined pillars. Above the sanctum are two storeys of square rooms overtopped by a lotus dome. The gold- plated pinnacle has an umbrella shaped finial with a <i>kha&#7751&#7693&#257</i> on top.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GUR&#362SAR SAROVAR, a bathing tank, 130 x 90 metres, with a 10-metre wide marbled pavement around it, was got excavated originally by Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur. He is said to have inaugurated the work by digging the first few sods and carrying the earth in his <i>doshal&#257</i> or rug. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh is believed to have had the tank desilted and deepened. The lining and marble paving are works recently carried out.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 NIV&#256S ASTH&#256N DAMD&#256M&#256 S&#256HIB P&#256TSH&#256H&#298 X, a multi-storeyed octagonal tower, adjoining the Darb&#257r S&#257hib, marks the apartments of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh. According to <i>S&#257kh&#299 Poth&#299</i>, when Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur arrived at Talva&#7751&#7693&#299 S&#257bo, he halted at the base of a huge ant-hill, which he saluted as he alighted. Questioned by the Sikhs accompanying him, he explained, "A grand temple, nine spears in height, with golden pinnacles will be erected on that spot by the great one who comes after me. Let my shrine be at the foot of his temple. " The Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is now seated in a domed room at the top floor of the tower.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TA<u>KH</u>T SR&#298 DAMDAM&#256 S&#256HIB, adjoining the Darb&#257r S&#257hib on the east, marks the site where Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh during his stay here held his daily assemblies. Gur&#363 Te<u>gh</u> Bah&#257dur had called Talva&#7751&#7693&#299 S&#257bo Gur&#363 k&#299 K&#257sh&#299, predicting that "many scholars, philosophers, theologians, copyists with elegant hand, students and devotees will adorn the place. " The prophecy came true when learned Sikhs poured in from far and near to be with Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh. Among them was Bh&#257&#299 Man&#299 Si&#7749gh who came from Delhi escorting M&#257t&#257 Sundar&#299 and M&#257t&#257 S&#257hib Dev&#257&#7749, the Gur&#363's consorts separated from him after the evacuation of Anandpur. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh had Bh&#257&#299 Man&#299 Si&#7749gh prepare a fresh copy of the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib under his own supervision. The spot where this work was carried out is still shown the pilgrims. Copies continued to be prepared here from this recension. One such copy preserved here is believed to have been prepared by B&#257b&#257 D&#299p Si&#7749gh Shah&#299d himself. It contains 707 leaves excluding the list of contents spread over 29 leaves. It was from here that the Gur&#363 issued his commands and letters to far-flung Sikh <i>sa&#7749gats</i>. The place became in fact a centre of Sikh learning. This character it has maintained ever since as the home of what is known as Damdam&#299 &#7788aksal, or the Damdam&#257 School of Learning.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The present building of the Ta<u>kh</u>t Sr&#299 Damdam&#257 S&#257hib, constructed during the 1970's under the supervision of Sant Sev&#257 Si&#7749gh of Sr&#299 Kesga&#7771h, is a spacious high-ceilinged hall, with a pavilion, at either end. The <i>ta<u>kh</u>t</i> (throne) proper is a 2 metre high square platform lined with white marble and marked off with marble-lined columns in the southern part of the hall. This is the sanctum sanctorum on which the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is seated. After the evening service the Holy Book is carried to the old Mañj&#299 S&#257hib in a procession of hymn-singing devotees. The interior of the sanctum is decorated with reflecting glass pieces of varying colours set in geometrical and floral designs. Over the sanctum, above the hall roof, is a domed square room topped by a tall gold-plated pinnacle and an umbrella-shaped finial, with a <i><u>kh</u>a&#7751&#7693&#257</i> at the apex. Octagonal towers at the hall corners have also domed pavilions above them. All these domes are lined with glazed tiles in white, light yellow and light blue colours.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 M&#256T&#256 SUNDAR&#298 J&#298 <i>ate</i> M&#256T&#256 S&#256HIB DEV&#256&#7748 J&#298, to the southeast of the Ta<u>kh</u>t Sr&#299 Damdam&#257 S&#257hib, marks the place where the holy ladies lived during their stay at Talva&#7751&#7693&#299 S&#257bo in 1706. The Gurdw&#257r&#257 comprises a square domed room with the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib seated on a platform in the middle of it.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 LIKHANSAR is a square hall, including a domed sanctum within it, at the southeastern corner of the <i>sarovar</i>, holy tank. According to Bh&#257&#299 Kuir Si&#7749gh, <i>Gurbil&#257s P&#257tsh&#257h&#299 X</i>, there used to be a pool of water here in the days of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh, who sitting here sometimes would have reed-pens for the writers made and then throw them into the pool. Once, Bh&#257&#299 &#7692all&#257, the local chief converted a disciple, entreated him to explain why he ordered thousands of pens to be cut and thrown away. To quote the <i>S&#257kh&#299 Poth&#299</i> the Gur&#363 said : "Thousands of Sikhs will hereafter study the holy texts in this place and then pens will come into use. This is our K&#257sh&#299 (seat of learning); those who study here will cast off their ignorance and rise to be authors, poets and commentators. "</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 JA&#7750&#7692SAR, half a kilometre to the northwest of Ta<u>kh</u>t Sr&#299 Damdam&#257 S&#257hib, marks the place referred to as Ja&#7751&#7693&#299&#257&#7751&#257 in old chronicles. Here Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh used to disburse largesse to his warriors. The Gurdw&#257r&#257 now comprises a domed sanctum, with a small <i>sarovar</i> adjacent to it.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#7788IBB&#298 S&#256HIB is an open space close to a pond known as Mahalsar. Here Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh trained his Sikhs in mock battles. The site continues to be the venue for the traditional Hola Mahall&#257 and Bais&#257kh&#299.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N&#256NAKSAR, an 80-metre square <i>sarovar</i> halfway between the Ta<u>kh</u>t S&#257hib and Gurdw&#257r&#257 Ja&#7751&#7693sar, was till lately a natural pond called N&#257naksar. It was so named in the belief that Gur&#363 N&#257nak had stayed on the bank of it during his visit to Talva&#7751&#7693&#299.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BURJ B&#256B&#256 D&#298P SI&#7748GH, a 20-metre high tower with a dome at the top adjoining the northeast corner of the Ta<u>kh</u>t S&#257hib, was constructed by B&#257b&#257 D&#299p Si&#7749gh of the Shah&#299d <i>misl</i>, who remained at Talva&#7751&#7693&#299 to look after the shrines after Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh had left the place to resume his travels. He is also credited with the sinking of the well which still supplies drinking water to the complex.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SAM&#256DH BH&#256&#298 &#7692ALL SI&#7748GH, a small domed shrine standing a bare 30-metres to the south of the Ta<u>kh</u>t S&#257hib, marks the site where Chaudhar&#299 &#7692all&#257, &#7692all Si&#7749gh after he had received the vows of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 at the hands of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh, was cremated.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THA&#7770&#256 S&#256HIB BH&#256&#298 B&#298R SI&#7748GH <i>ate</i> DH&#298R SI&#7748GH, a small room in the vicinity of Burj B&#257b&#257 D&#299p Si&#7749gh, has recently replaced a platform (<i>tha&#7771&#257</i>, in Punjabi) which marked the place where two Ra&#7749ghre&#7789&#257 Sikhs, named, according to local tradition, B&#299r Si&#7749gh and Dh&#299r Si&#7749gh, father and son respectively, offered themselves as targets for the Gur&#363 to test a muzzle-loading gun presented to him by a Sikh. According to Bh&#257&#299 Santokh Si&#7749gh, <i>Sr&#299 Gur Prat&#257p S&#363raj Granth</i>, Chaudhar&#299 &#7692all&#257 once boasted about the loyalty and courage of his soldiers. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh asked him to provide a couple of his men as targets so that he could test the range and striking power of the new weapon. The strange demand stunned &#7692all&#257 and his men out of their wits, and none of them did in fact come forward. The Gur&#363 thereupon called out the two Sikhs who were at that moment busy tying their turbans. They came running, turbans in hand, each trying to be in front of the other in order to be the first to face the bullet. &#7692all&#257, astonished at the Sikhs' spirit of sacrifice, learnt to be humble.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BU&#7748G&#256 MAST&#362&#256&#7750&#256 S&#256HIB, established in 1923, by Sant Atar Si&#7749gh, is not a historical shrine as such but is a prestigious institution for training young scholars in the theory and practice of the Sikh faith. It is a vast complex comprising dormitories, rows of cubicles, a dining hall, an agricultural farm and a magnificent <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> with a large assembly hall.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All these shrines, other than Bu&#7749g&#257 Mast&#363&#257&#7751&#257 S&#257hib, are under the management of the Shiroma&#7751&#299 Gurdw&#257r&#257 Parbandhak Committee, which took over control in 1963 from the family of the custodian, Captain Ra&#7751j&#299t Si&#7749gh of Sh&#257hz&#257dpur.</p> </font> <p class="BIB"> BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> T&#257r&#257 Si&#7749gh, <i>Sr&#299 Gur T&#299rath Sa&#7749grahi</i>. Amritsar, n. d.<BR> <li class="C1"> &#7788h&#257kar Si&#7749gh, Gi&#257n&#299, <i>Sr&#299 Gurdu&#257re Darshan</i>. Amritsar, 1933<BR> <li class="C1"><i>M&#257lv&#257 Desh Ra&#7789an d&#299 S&#257kh&#299 Poth&#299</i>. Amritsar, 1968<BR> <li class="C1"> Harbans Singh, <i>Guru Gobind Singh</i>. Chandigarh, 1966<BR> </ol><p class="CONT">Major Gurmukh Si&#7749gh (Retd.)<br></p><BR> </font> <img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""> </HTML></BODY>