Part 3 : Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan

Eminabad

Eminabad, an ancient town in the Gujranwala district of Pakistan, used to be known as Saidpur during the time of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji Mahraj. According to some scholars, the name Eminabad was given as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mahraj saved the residents of this city from the shakles of slavery by Babur (ਅਮਾਨ ਦੀਤਾ). Guru Ji Mahraj visited and stayed at the house of Bhai Lalo ji here. There are 3 Gurdwaras in this city:

1. Gurdwara Rorri Sahib

This asthan marks the site where Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji Mahraj stayed with Bhai Lalo ji after the destruction of the Saidpur by Babur. Here Guru Ji had to sit and lie down on a hard bed of pebbles (small stones) (Rori in Punjabi). It is said that Guru li meditated here and at the time of their arrest by emperor Babur, Guru Ji was at this site.

2. Gurdwara Bhai Laalo di Khuuhi

Guru Ji stayed with Bhai Lalo Ji and their house became a dharmsala, a meeting place for the local devotees of Guru Ji. It was also here that Guru Ji squeezed the buttered Parshada of Malik Bhago and the dry bread of Bhai Lalo Ji, where blood came out of one and milk from the other respectively. The well from which Guru Ji’s langgar was prepared from and where they did Ishnaan from is preserved here.

3. Gurdwara Chakki Sahib

This is the site where the millstone (Chaki) of Guru li was kept. When Guru ji was imprisoned by Babur, they were forced to grind corn and everyone was surprised to see Guru Ji's Chaki moving on its own. After Babur heard of this incident, he himself came to meet Guru Ji and apologised. Unfortunately, the Chakki is not present there currently and is said to be in the UK.

Sialkot

Gurdwara Ber Sahib

This place marks the site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mahraj came to when they visited Sialkot. The Ber tree under which Guru Nanak stayed is still present. It was under this tree that Guru Mahraj sent Bhai Mardana out into Sialkot city. with 2 paisay to buy Sach (truth) and Jhuth (falsehood). This was also the tree under which Bhai Mula ji met Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mahraj and became their Sikh. There is also another famous Sakhi associated with this place where Guru Mahraj broke the Chalisa of a Pir who wowed to cause destruction of the whole Sialkot city.

Shaheed Bhai Natha Singh Ji from Misl Shaheeda got this Guru Ghar built beautifully. It is also said that under his patronage, many scholars lived here and produced significant works. Giani Gian Singh ji also wrote the Twarikh Guru Khalsa here during the times of Mahant Prem Singh ji.

Some local Sikhs here had great struggle to recapture this place from the Kabja of some locals that claimed the Ber tree to be a significant Kabar. The Sikhs managing this Gurdwara are still building this Guru ghar slowly with the support of Sanggat.

Farooqabad

Gurdwara Sacha Sauda

This asthan marks the site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mahraj fed some hungry Sadhus with the 20 Rupees that they were given by their father to start a business (Sauda). Looking at the needy, Guru Ji thought what other business can be more profitable than feeding the hungry. Thus, they spent all the money here which has indeed become such profitable investment that the return is still being enjoyed today in form of Langgar everywhere. The tree beneath which Guru Ji served langgar is by the entrance of the Darbar Sahib. Being the asthan where Langgar initiated, everyone that comes here is always served with Langgar. The asthan grows their own vegetables too and is full of greenery.

Kartarpur Sahib

Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib Kartarpur

Kartarpur Sahib is an important place for it is not only founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji Mahraj but also where Guru Ji changed their attire of Udasi to householder and implemented Dharmic teachings among Sikhs while doing Kirat Kamai. It is also where Guru Angad Dev Ji Mahraj was chosen to be next Guru Sahib and where Guru Nanak Dev ji Mahraj left to Sachkhand. When Guru Ji left to Sachkand, they went San Dehi (with the physical body) which means that their physical body was not found (Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Mahraj also left in similar manner). After Guru Ji left, only a white cloth and some flowers was found and the Hindus wanted to cremate it while the Muslims wanted to bury it. So, they eventually tore the cloth and divided the flowers into half and performed the last rites according to their practices. This is why outside of the Gurdwara, there is a grave and inside is a Samadh marking the cremation place. There is also a well here where from which Guru Nanak Dev ji Mahraj used water for their khet. The surrounding area leading to Kartarpur Sahib is full of khet even today.