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A
magnificent and spacious bungalow in Delhi owned by Raja Jai
Singh Amber (Jaipur) who commanded great respect and honour in
the court of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb now enjoys the status of
a holy shrine called Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. The eighth Guru
Sri Harkishan had stayed here for a few months as guest of
Raja Jai Singh.
Since then it has become a place of pilgrimage for both,
Hindus and Sikhs. They pay their respect to the memory of Guru
Harkrishan, nominated as successor by the seventh Guru, Sri
Har Rai. He passed away on October 6, 1661 A.D. When only a
little over five year old, he had been tried and tested as a
perfect fearless and fully illuminated soul.
Baba Ram Rai, his elder brother became much perturbed when he
learnt that Har Krishan had been appointed the spiritual head.
He tried in vain to influence the leading Sikhs of Delhi and
Punjab. Later he approached Emperor Aurangzeb to help
him acquire the Gurugadi. Consequently, Aurangzeb agreed to
summon Guru Harkrishan to see whether he was really superior
and more spiritual.
Fortunately both Raja Jai Singh and his son Raja Ram Singh
were in Delhi at that time. When approached by
Sikhs for help, they agreed to assist them in their
predicament.
The Rajput chief took over the responsibility of persuading
Guru Harkrishan to come to Delhi and also gained
assurance from the Emperor that as long as he (the Emperor)
was not satisfied about the succession issue,
Guru Harkrishan would stay with him in his bungalow as guest.
During his stay in Delhi. the Guru spent most of his time in
serving the humble, the sick and the destitutes for
cholera and smallpox were spreading in an epidemic form. He
distributed medicines, food and clothes to the
needy. He also directed Diwan Dargah Mal to spend all the
daily offerings made by the people to the Guru for the poor.
The Guru won more admirers. Soon stories about his healing
powers spread throughout the city.
A small tank was constructed by Raja Jai Singh over the well
Nowadays, the faithful take home this water as
amrit to cure their ailments. The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara
Management Committee runs a hospital in the basement of the
Gurudwara building. Besides, the Khalsa Girls School is
located in the adjoining building. A tank 225 x 235 ft with 18
ft wide Parikarma and 12 ft wide varandah along its three
sides has been constructed entirely with people's contribution
and voluntary labour.
The Art Gallery located in the basement of the Gurdwara is
also very popular with visitors. They evince keen
interest in the paintings depicting historical events
connected with Sikh history. It is named after the Sikh
General Sardar Bhagel Singh who supervised the construction of
nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in 1783 during the
time of Shah Alam II.
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