Takht Kesgarh Sahib

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.

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

History

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

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

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

Singh

SGPC1942 - 31 March 1944
Giani Waryam SinghSGPC1 April 1944 - 31 January 1945
Giani Bir Singh
SGPC1 February 1945 - 31 March 1945
Giani Kartar SinghSGPC1 April 1945 - 24 June 1945
Giani Ajit SinghSGPC24 June 1945 - 2 July 1953
Giani Fauja SinghSGPC14 July 1953 - 7 February 1954
Giani Ajit SinghSGPC9 February 1954 - 9 February 1955
Giani Fauja SinghSGPC9 February 1955 - 14 May 1955
Giani Partap SinghSGPC26 May 1955 - 26 June 1955
Giani Fauja SinghSGPC27 June 1955 - 30 April 1957
Giani Bachittar SinghSGPC1 May 1957 - 1961
Giani Sharam SinghSGPC1961 - 3 January 1971
Giani Balbir SinghSGPC4 January 1971 - 13 October 1971
Giani Gurdial Singh AjnohaSGPC14 October 1971 - 12 March 1980
Giani Harcharan Singh MahalonSGPC13 March 1980 - 23 January 1987
Giani Savinder Singh
Sarbat Khalsa26 January 1986 - 1993
General Labh SinghPanthic CommitteeJune 24 1988 - 12 July 1988[6]
Giani Balbir SinghSGPC30 May 1998 - 21 September 1989
Prof. Manjit SinghSGPC22 September 1989 - 26 May 1991
Giani Daljit SinghSGPC27 May 1991 - 1 January 1992
Prof. Manjit SinghSGPC2 January 1992 - 23 February 2003
Giani Tarlochan SinghSGPC23 February 2003 - 30 July 2013
Giani Sukhwinder Singh KhujalaSGPC31 July 2013 - 21 August 2013
Giani Mal SinghSGPC22 August 2013 - 15 August 2017
Giani Phula SinghSGPC16 August 2017 - 23 August 2017
Giani Raghbir

Singh

SGPC24 August 2017 - 22 June 2023
Bhai Amrik Singh AjnalaSarbat Khalsa10 November 2015 - 13 November 2017
Giani Sultan SinghSGPC26 June 2023 - Incumbent

Gallery

References

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