Yatra Series 6: Historical Gurdwaras of Chottay Sahibzaday and Mata Gujri Ji.


1. Gurdwara Kotwali Sahib. 
This is the site of the prison cell where Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zoravar Singh Ji and Mata Gujri Ji were taken to in Morinda city from Ganggu’s house. They were kept in a prison cell overnight (without proper clothing in winter) and then taken to Sirhind (now Fatehgarh Sahib) to face trial and execution. The Gurdwara has been built around the original Kotwali (prison cell). The Kotwali itself is now used as a room for Akhand Paths.




2. Gurdwara Sri Shaheed Ganj Sahib Morinda. 

After being kept prisoners at the site Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib, Sahibzaday and Mata Gujri Ji were made to continue their journey to Sirhind. However, before leaving Morinda, the rath the Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji were being carried in broke as one of the wheels was damaged. This place marks the site where the rath was damaged and repaired.


3. Gurdwara Aima Sahib. 

The Sahibzadey and Mata Gujri Ji were brought to by Gangu brahmin to his pind, Khera. This Gurdwara marks the site where Sahibzadey and Mata Gujri Ji waited in the hut of a sadhu while Gangu checked his village to make sure there were no Mughals nearby. The sadhu asked Mata Gujri Ji how they had arrived here in the middle of the night. Mata Gujri Ji said they had arrived 'Aimae' (just so) which is how the Gurdwara was named.


4. Gurdwara Attak Sahib 

This site is the house of Gangu brahmin. It is said that this gurdwara was previously known as Gurdwara Sri Bhianak Raat Di Chees, and then named Attak Sahib because 'Attake' in Punjabi means to stop or rest. Gangu's true intentions were made known when Mata Gujri Ji went to sleep, he stole her money, which she carried in a saddlebag and buried it at another place.




5. Gurdwara Rath Sahib

When Mata Gujri ji questioned Gangu about the theft, he got furious and decided to turn Mata Gujri ji and the two young Sahibzadey over to the authorities. This Gurdwara is where the Sahibzaday and Mata Gujri Ji were arrested and placed in a Rath, a wooden prison cell on cart wheels.



6. Gurdwara Sri Gupt Khajana Gobindsagar Sahib

After Gangu stole Mata Gujri's bag of money, he hid it nearby just outside the village at this site. The next day, after the Sahibzadey and Mata Gujri Ji had been taken away to face torture and death, Gangu returned to retrieve the hidden money and when he got close, he noticed a huge snake was keeping guard. Gangu became terrified and ran away. The money were never found and Gangu never profited from his evil.


Map illustration of the journey from Kheri Pind to Kotwali Sahib and eventually to Sirhind. It is said that villagers of Kheri became so distressed at their infamous history they renamed the village to Saheri. The villagers hoped the world would forget their failure to shelter Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Sahibzaday and Mata Gujri Ji.