ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>N&#256NDE&#7692 (19º-10'N, 77º -20'E)</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="NNDE "> <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">&#65279N&#256NDE&#7692 (19º-10'N, 77º -20'E), one of the important centres of Sikh pilgrimage situated on the left bank of the River God&#257var&#299, is a district town in Mah&#257r&#257sh&#7789ra. It is a railway station on the Manm&#257d-K&#257ch&#299gu&#7693&#257 section of the South Central Railway, and is also connected by road with other major towns of the region. The Sikhs generally refer to it as Haz&#363r S&#257hib or Abichal Nagar : Both these names apply, in fact, to the principal shrine, but are extended in common usage to refer to the town itself. Haz&#363r S&#257hib is a title of reverence, meaning Exalted Presence; Abichal Nagar : <i>Abichal</i> = Immortal, Everlasting and <i>Nagar</i> =Town or City. The town ranks as one of the ta<u>kh</u>ts, i.e. a seat of religious authority and legislation for the Sikhs.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N&#257nde&#7693, which was visited both by Gur&#363 N&#257nak and Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh, claims several Sikh shrines of historical importance.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TA<u>KH</u>T SACHKHA&#7750&#7692 SR&#298 HAZ&#362R ABICHALNAGAR S&#256HIB. At the time of Emperor Bah&#257dur Sh&#257h's march towards the south via R&#257jput&#257n&#257, Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh accompanied him with his own disciples and followers. Crossing the T&#257pt&#299 in mid-June and B&#257&#7751 Ga&#7749g&#257 on 13 August, the two camps arrived at N&#257nde&#7693 towards the end of August 1708. Bah&#257dur Sh&#257h, after a brief halt, crossed the God&#257var&#299 and proceeded on to Golko&#7751&#7693&#257, but the Gur&#363 stayed behind at N&#257nde&#7693. Here he converted a Vaishnavite Bair&#257g&#299 recluse, M&#257dho D&#257s, also known as Lachhma&#7751 Dev, who after initiation into the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 fold, received the name of Band&#257 Si&#7749gh. To N&#257nde&#7693 came from the Punjab two Pa&#7789h&#257ns, on the trail of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh. They had been hired by Waz&#299r <u>Kh</u>&#257n of Sirhind, who felt threatened by the conciliatory negotiations going on between the Emperor and Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh. These Pa&#7789h&#257ns, the name of one of them is recorded as Jamshaid <u>Kh</u>&#257n, dissembling as interested listeners, started attending the evening <i>d&#299v&#257n</i> or service. Finding the Gur&#363 alone in his tent one day, they fell on him inflicting astab wound. Before the blow could be repeated, the Gur&#363 despatched one of the Pa&#7789h&#257ns with his own sabre. His companion fell under the swords of the Sikhs who had meanwhile rushed in. Gur&#363 'Gobind Si&#7749gh's wound healed, but it broke out again as he was stretching a powerful bow. Bestowing the succession on the Granth S&#257hib and thus ending the line of personal Gur&#363s, Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh passed away on 7 October 1708.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh had desired one of his Sikhs, Santokh Si&#7749gh, who supervised the community kitchen, to remain in N&#257nde&#7693 and continue running the Gur&#363 k&#257 La&#7749gar. A number of other Sikhs also decided to stay back. They built a small shrine in memory of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh and installed the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib in it.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Around 1823, R&#257j&#257 Chand&#363 L&#257l, D&#299w&#257n of Hyder&#257b&#257d state, had the management of the shrine made over to the Ud&#257s&#299s. He also secured for the shrine an endowment of about 525 acres of land. In 1832, Mah&#257r&#257j&#257 Ra&#7751j&#299t Si&#7749gh built on the site a two-storeyed <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i>, with a golden dome. During this time, Sikh artisans and workmen came to N&#257nde&#7693 in large numbers, and many of them settled here permanently. Additionally, the Niz&#257m enlisted a troop of Sikhs in his army. With this influx of Sikh population, the Ud&#257s&#299 influence receded. Sikhs assumed the responsibility for religious services in the shrine at N&#257nde&#7693, whereas the administration was taken over by the Niz&#257m's government. The control of the main shrine and other <i>Gurdw&#257r&#257s</i> at N&#257nde&#7693 was transferred to a 17-member Gurdw&#257r&#257 Board, with a 5-member Managing Committee constituted under the N&#257nde&#7693 Sikh Gurdw&#257r&#257s Act passed on 20 September 1956 by Hyder&#257b&#257d state legislature.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A <i>chakra</i> (quoit), a broad sword, a steel bow, a steel arrow, a <i>gurz</i> (heavy club with a large spherical knob), a small gilded <i>kirp&#257n</i> and five gilded swords are on display in the sanctum of <i>Ta<u>kh</u>t</i> Sachkha&#7751&#7693 as Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh's relics.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 H&#298R&#256 GHAT S&#256HIB is on top of the left bank of the River God&#257var&#299 about 9 km northeast of N&#257nde&#7693 town. This is the spot where Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh first set up camp on arrival at N&#257nde&#7693. As the tradition goes, one day Emperor Bah&#257dur Sh&#257h who came to call on him presented him with a <i>h&#299r&#257</i>, or diamond. The Gur&#363 cast it into the river. Bah&#257dur Sh&#257h felt offended. He thought that being a <i>faq&#299r</i> the Gur&#363 did not know the value of the stone. The Gur&#363 invited the Emperor to look into the water. The latter did so and was astonished to see heaps of diamonds lying at the bottom of the river. Cleansed of his pride, he bowed at the Gur&#363's feet. On that site stands Gurdw&#257r&#257 H&#299r&#257 Gh&#257&#7789.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 M&#256T&#256 S&#256HIB, also on the river bank, is half a kilometre southeast of Gurdw&#257r&#257 H&#299r&#257 Gh&#257t. It marks the place where tents were pitched for M&#257t&#257 S&#257hib Dev&#257&#7749, Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh's wife, who had accompanied him during his journey to the South. While the Gur&#363 stayed at H&#299r&#257 Gh&#257&#7789, the <i>la&#7749gar</i> which was supervised by M&#257t&#257 S&#257hib Dev&#257&#7749 was established here. Subsequently the <i>la&#7749gar</i> was looked after by B&#257b&#257 Nidh&#257n Si&#7749gh. The <i>la&#7749gar</i> continues to this day and is run by the Niha&#7749gs under the overall control of Gurdw&#257r&#257 Board Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693. The building in which is installed the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib was constructed in 1976-77. Other buildings are older. Among them is the <i>ang&#299&#7789h&#257</i>, memorial on the cremation spot, in memory of B&#257b&#257 Mit Si&#7749gh Niha&#7749g who died here on 2 Kattak 2001 Bk/17 October 1944.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>GURDW&#256R&#256 SHIK&#256R GH&#256&#7788 S&#256HIB</i> is situated on top of a hillock, about 300 metres from the left bank of the River God&#257var&#299. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh used this site as a starting point for his hunting (<i>shik&#257r</i>) excursions. A legend has grown up that the Gur&#363 emancipated here the soul of one Bh&#257&#299 M&#363l&#257 who had been under an anathema since the time of Gur&#363 N&#257nak that he would continue in the cycle of birth and death until released by the Tenth N&#257nak. This was accomplished when Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh killed a hare at the place marked by Gurdw&#257r&#257 Shik&#257r Gh&#257&#7789.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The old shrine on this spot was rebuilt in 1971 by Sant B&#257b&#257 J&#299van Si&#7749gh and B&#257b&#257 Dal&#299p Si&#7749gh who also constructed the approach road as well as the bridge over the River God&#257v&#257r&#299. The building, a simple, but elegant, monument, is at one end of a huge walled compound which also encloses a bathing tank. The square-shaped <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> is mounted over by a lotus dome with decorative domed pavilions at the corners and small solid domelets on all four sides. The whole exterior, including the domes, is lined with white marble slabs. The hall, where the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is seated on a canopied throne of white marble, has a marble floor, with walls panelled with marble slabs and a ceiling of pure white glazed tiles. The shrine is managed by the Gurdw&#257r&#257 Board Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>GURDW&#256R&#256 NAG&#298N&#256 GH&#256&#7788 S&#256HIB</i> is on the left bank of God&#257var&#299 to the southwest of Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693. The legend connected with this shrine bears close similarity to that of Gurdw&#257r&#257 H&#299r&#257 Gh&#257&#7789. Here, it is said, Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh flung into the river a jewel presented by a Va&#7751j&#257r&#257 Sikh, proud of his rich offering. As the Gur&#363 asked him to look into the water the merchant saw, to his amazement, heaps of glittering jewels, far superior in excellence to the one he had offered.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The present building of the <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> was constructed by Gul&#257b Si&#7749gh Se&#7789h&#299 of New Delhi. It was completed on 13 April 1968. The main hall has a canopied throne of white marble where the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is installed. The shrine is administered by the Gurdw&#257r&#257 Board Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>GURDW&#256R&#256 B&#256B&#256 BAND&#256 BAH&#256DUR GH&#256&#7788 S&#256HIB</i> marks the site of the hermitry of M&#257dho D&#257s Bair&#257g&#299, renamed Band&#257 Si&#7749gh after he had received the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 rites. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh reached the place on 3 September 1708. M&#257dho D&#257s was not then present. He sat on the Bair&#257g&#299's cot and asked the Sikhs to kill some of his goats for food. M&#257dho D&#257s was furious at this profanation of his monastery and burnt with the desire to chastise the strange visitor for his temerity. But no sooner had he set his eyes on the Gur&#363 than all his anger was gone; so was his sorcerous will of which he was greatly proud. He fell at the Gur&#363's feet and submitted : "Myself I give unto you; I am your <i>band&#257</i> (slave)." Band&#257 Si&#7749gh was admitted to the vows and insignia of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 and sent on 5 October 1708 to the Punjab by Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh, accompanied by a few chosen Sikhs.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Gurdw&#257r&#257 Band&#257 Gh&#257&#7789, as it is commonly known, is a single flat roofed room with a seat for the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib. It is controlled by the Gurdw&#257r&#257 Board Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>GURDW&#256R&#256 M&#256L &#7788EKR&#298 S&#256HIB</i> is to the northeast of Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693. The place derives its name from an old mound known previously as Chakr&#299 M&#257l or M&#257l &#7788ill&#257. According to local tradition, Gur&#363 N&#257nak, while journeying in the South, visited the spot and discoursed here with a Muslim faq&#299r, Lakka&#7771 Sh&#257h, who lived on this mound. Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh is believed to have unearthed an old treasure hidden in the mound and distributed part of it to his soldiers at Gurdw&#257r&#257 Sa&#7749gat S&#257hib burying the remainder again here.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Sikhs established on the site a Mañj&#299 S&#257hib. The present <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i>, built after a judicial decision upholding the Sikhs' claim to the land given on 7 December 1929, consists of a single flat-roofed room with an all around verandah, inside a fenced compound. In the centre of the room is installed the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib, attended by a <i>granth&#299</i> provided by <i>Ta<u>kh</u>t</i> Sachkha&#7751&#7693. Not far from the <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> is the grave of <i>Faq&#299r</i> Lakka&#7771 Sh&#257h.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>GURDW&#256R&#256 SA&#7748GAT S&#256HIB</i>, probably named after a Sikh <i>sa&#7749gat</i> which existed at N&#257nde&#7693 prior to the visit of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh, is near the river bank towards the eastern end of the old town. It is said that the treasure unearthed at M&#257l &#7788ekr&#299 was brought here and distributed by the Gur&#363, not in counted number of coins but in shieldfuls.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> is an old flat-roofed room with a low dome. Some old weapons are displayed on a platform in the centre of the room. They include a shield believed to be the one with which the treasure was distributed. The Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is installed in the narrow space between the central platform and the wall.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BU&#7748G&#256 M&#256&#298 BH&#256GO J&#299 marks the site of M&#257&#299 Bh&#257go's residence. It is a large room within the compound of Gurdw&#257r&#257 Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693 Sr&#299 Haz&#363r S&#257hib, to the east of the central shrine. Besides the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib, some old weapons, including large sized muskets and a mortar, and a palanquin are on display in the room.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A&#7748G&#298&#7788H&#256 BH&#256&#298 DAY&#256 SI&#7748GH ATE DHARAM SI&#7748GH. Bh&#257&#299 Day&#257 Si&#7749gh and Bh&#257&#299 Dharam Si&#7749gh were two of the Pañj Pi&#257re. They survived the action at Chamkaur and came out of the fortress with Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh. From D&#299n&#257, they were sent to deliver the Gur&#363's letter, <i>Zafarn&#257m&#257h</i>, to Emperor Aura&#7749gz&#299b. They rejoined the Gur&#363 as he was travelling to the South and reached N&#257nde&#7693 where they later died.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The <i>a&#7749g&#299th&#257</i>, or place of cremation, is marked by a small room within the compound of Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693, behind Bu&#7749g&#257 M&#257&#299 Bh&#257go. Some old weapons are displayed on a platform in the centre of the room.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>GURDW&#256R&#256 LA&#7748GAR S&#256HIB</i> or Gurdw&#257r&#257 B&#257b&#257 Nidh&#257n Si&#7749gh, not an old historical shrine, has gained prominence as a major <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> in recent years. It was established by Sant B&#257b&#257 Nidh&#257n Si&#7749gh during the 1920's primarily to provide food and shelter for pilgrims coming to N&#257nde&#7693 from distant parts. He collected donations mainly from the Sikh units of the Indian army.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The original building, a square shaped room, now forms part of a hall in which the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is installed. The new complex comprises a large hall, flanked by two floors of rooms for pilgrims, and the Gur&#363 k&#257 La&#7749gar. The <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i>, not under the Gurdw&#257r&#257 Board, is managed by successors of B&#257b&#257 Nidh&#257n Si&#7749gh. The recital of <i>gurb&#257&#7751&#299</i> and <i>k&#299rtan</i> takes place morning and evening, and Gur&#363 k&#257 La&#7749gar is open round-the-clock.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i>GURDW&#256R&#256 N&#256NAK SAR</i> is a new <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> located in the land owned by Gurdw&#257r&#257 La&#7749gar S&#257hib, about 10 km from N&#257nde&#7693, across the River God&#257v&#257r&#299. Legend, which has grown in recent years, connects the site with Gur&#363 N&#257nak's visit on his way from N&#257nde&#7693 to Bidar. The <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> is a newly built rectangular room in which the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is installed, served by a <i>granth&#299</i> provided by Gurdw&#257r&#257 La&#7749gar S&#257hib. Close to the <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i>, a bathing tank has been constructed in a depression where existed a well before the present <i>gurdw&#257r&#257 was built</i>.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Some local, i.e. Dakkh&#7751&#299, Sikhs have constructed another <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i>, named Gurdw&#257r&#257 N&#257nakpur&#299 about 100 metres from N&#257nak Sar. As to the sanctity of the spot, both invoke the story of Gur&#363 N&#257nak's visit.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GURDW&#256R&#256 RATANGA&#7770H S&#256HIB is another new gurdw&#257r&#257 built alongside of a farmhouse, on a site belonging to Gurdw&#257r&#257 La&#7749gar S&#257hib. The legend connected with it mentions that Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh met here a person, Se&#7789h Uttam Sresh&#7789ha, three days after he had been cremated at the site of Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693. The <i>gurdw&#257r&#257</i> is a flat-roofed hall with a porch, constructed on a high plinth. The Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib is installed in the hall. The Gurdw&#257r&#257 La&#7749gar S&#257hib provides an attendant, who also looks after the farm.</p> </font> <p class="BIB"> BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> Gi&#257n Si&#7749gh, Gi&#257n&#299, <i>Tw&#257r&#299<u>kh</u> Gurdu&#257ri&#257&#7749</i>. Amritsar, n.d.<BR> <li class="C1"> Narotam, T&#257r&#257 Si&#7749gh, <i>Sr&#299 Guru T&#299rath Sa&#7749grahi</i>. Kankhal, 1975<BR> <li class="C1"> &#7788h&#257kar Si&#7749gh, Gi&#257ni, <i>Sr&#299 Gurdu&#257re Darshan</i>. Amritsar, 1923<BR> <li class="C1"> Randhir, G.S., <i>Sikhs Shrines in India</i>. Delhi, 1990<BR> <li class="C1"> Patwant Si&#7749gh, <i>Gurdwaras in India and Around the World</i>. Delhi, 1992<BR> <li class="C1"> Sahi, Joginder Singh, <i>Sikh Shrines in India and Abroad</i>. Faridabad, 1978<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>