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Takht Kesgarh Sahib

Coordinates: 31°14′6″N 76°29′56″E / 31.23500°N 76.49889°E / 31.23500; 76.49889
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Takht Kesgarh Sahib
Map
General information
StatusTakht of the Sikhs [1]
Architectural styleSikh architecture
AddressAnandpur Sahib Rupnagar district, Punjab, India.
Town or cityAnandpur Sahib
Country India

Kesgarh Qila or Takht Kesgarh Sahib, alternatively spelt as Keshgarh Qila, is one of the five takhts of the Sikhs located in Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district of Punjab, India. It is located just 40 km from Rupnagar city, the district headquarters and 78 km from state capital Chandigarh. The fort is also called Takhat Keshgarh Sahib. This Gurdwara was one of the forts constructed by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib for the defense of the Sikhs. He spent his 25 years at Anandpur Sahib and, to protect the Sikhs from the Rajas of the Hill States and Mughals, began the construction of five defensive Qilas (forts) all around the town.

History

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Historical photograph of Takht Keshgarh Sahib
Historical photograph of Qila Anandgarh from May 1934.

The Takht is one of Five Takht in Sikhism, the Takht name is Takht Kesgarh Sahib being the place where the last two Sikh Gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, lived. It is also the place where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699.[2] In the 1930s, a new structure was constructed over the original site and structure of Anandgarh Qila.[3][4] Originally, the Sarai Ganga tributary of the Sutlej River flowed south-westwards from the site of Anandpur Sahib but it no longer does today as its course has changed.[3]

Forts

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The Qilas (meaning "fortress"), constructed by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib are:[5][3]

1. Takht Kesgarh Sahib Qila at the center (now a Takhat)

2. Anandgarh Qila (fort of bliss)[3]

3. Lohgarh Qila (fort of steel)[3]

4. Holgarh Qila (fort of colour)[3]

5. Fatehgarh Qila (fort of victory)[3]

6. Taragarh Qila (fort of stars)[3]

All the Qilas were joined together with earthworks and tunnels. All Qila Situated at Anandpur Sahib. In this Qilas one Qila is now Takht of Sikhs Takht Kesgarh Sahib Qila. The fort of Anandgarh was located at a central location whilst the forts of Lohgarh, Holgarh, Fatehgarh, and Taragarh formed a circular pattern around it.[3] The original structures of the forts were destroyed by Kar Seva renovators in the 20th century and marble Gurdwaras were constructed in their former location.[3]

Jathedars of Takht Keshgarh Sahib

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Name
Assigned by Term Reference(s)
Before, there was only one regular granthi for the serive of serve Kesgarh Sahib.
Gaini Karam Singh Sarbat Khalsa ?
Bhai Kharak Singh Sarbat Khalsa ?
Gaini Budh Singh Sarbat Khalsa ?
Gaini Puran Singh Sarbat Khalsa ?
Gaini Amar Singh Sarbat Khalsa ?
After the Gurdwara Reform Movement, Jathedar and granthi of the Gurdwara are appointed.
Giani Bir

Singh

SGPC 1942 - 31 March 1944
Giani Waryam Singh SGPC 1 April 1944 - 31 January 1945
Giani Bir Singh
SGPC 1 February 1945 - 31 March 1945
Giani Kartar Singh SGPC 1 April 1945 - 24 June 1945
Giani Ajit Singh SGPC 24 June 1945 - 2 July 1953
Giani Fauja Singh SGPC 14 July 1953 - 7 February 1954
Giani Ajit Singh SGPC 9 February 1954 - 9 February 1955
Giani Fauja Singh SGPC 9 February 1955 - 14 May 1955
Giani Partap Singh SGPC 26 May 1955 - 26 June 1955
Giani Fauja Singh SGPC 27 June 1955 - 30 April 1957
Giani Bachittar Singh SGPC 1 May 1957 - 1961
Giani Sharam Singh SGPC 1961 - 3 January 1971
Giani Balbir Singh SGPC 4 January 1971 - 13 October 1971
Giani Gurdial Singh Ajnoha SGPC 14 October 1971 - 12 March 1980
Giani Harcharan Singh Mahalon SGPC 13 March 1980 - 23 January 1987
Giani Savinder Singh
Sarbat Khalsa 26 January 1986 - 1993
General Labh Singh Panthic Committee June 24 1988 - 12 July 1988 [6]
Giani Balbir Singh SGPC 30 May 1998 - 21 September 1989
Prof. Manjit Singh SGPC 22 September 1989 - 26 May 1991
Giani Daljit Singh SGPC 27 May 1991 - 1 January 1992
Prof. Manjit Singh SGPC 2 January 1992 - 23 February 2003
Giani Tarlochan Singh SGPC 23 February 2003 - 30 July 2013
Giani Sukhwinder Singh Khujala SGPC 31 July 2013 - 21 August 2013
Giani Mal Singh SGPC 22 August 2013 - 15 August 2017
Giani Phula Singh SGPC 16 August 2017 - 23 August 2017
Giani Raghbir

Singh

SGPC 24 August 2017 - 22 June 2023
Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala Sarbat Khalsa 10 November 2015 - 13 November 2017
Giani Sultan Singh SGPC 26 June 2023 - Incumbent
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References

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  1. ^ Nabha, Kahan Singh (13 April 1930). Gur Shabad Ratanakar Mahankosh (1 ed.). Languages Department of Punjab, Patiala. p. ਅਕਾਲਬੁੰਗਾ. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  2. ^ Rai, Gurmeet S. (1999). "Abode of Bliss: Historiography of Anandpur Sahib". Nishaan Nagaara magazine - premiere issue (PDF). pp. 14–27.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rai, Gurmeet S. (1999). "Abode of Bliss: Historiography of Anandpur Sahib". Nishaan Nagaara magazine - premiere issue (PDF). pp. 14–27.
  4. ^ Singh, Roopinder (8 April 2018). "Baisakhi in the City of Bliss". The Tribune. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Gurdwara Qila Lohgarh Sahib Anandpur | Discover Sikhism".
  6. ^ Journal of Government and Political Studies. Department of Political Science, Punjabi University. 1989. p. 23.

31°14′6″N 76°29′56″E / 31.23500°N 76.49889°E / 31.23500; 76.49889