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AMRITSAR
TARNTARAN
JALANDHAR
GURDASPUR
GOINDWAL
LAHORE, PAKISTAN
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Gurudwara Baoli Sahib is situated in the famous
busy market of Dabbi Bazaar in the centre of Lahore city. One side of this
Gurudwara adjoins
Dabbi Bazaar, the second is adjacent to Laha Bazaar, the third
opens on Kesera Bazaar and the fourth borders to stay there. The Guru
got a baoli built there. In A.D. 1599,
when Guru Arjan Dev, the redeemer
of the mankind came to Lahore, Bhai Chhajju Bhagat came along with
a pathan to pay his respect to the Guru and put a bag full of 282 mohars at
the feet of the Guru, requesting him to utilize the same for religious works.
The Guru asked as to where this money had come from. On this, the Bhagat narrated
the story thus: "My pathan friend gave me this bag to keep in safe custody
but my accountant (munim) forgot to register this money in his ledger (Vahi-Khata)
and by the passage of time, I too, forgot all about it. When the pathan came
asking for his money, I refused to pay as my records mentioned nothing of
the sort. The case was taken to the official (Hakam) where the pathan lost
his case. But while cleaning the shop before Diwali, I found the bag. I put
extra Rs.100 therein and try to return the same to my friend with apologies.
But the pathan refused to take it as he had lost the case. Neither he considered
that money his nor could take it as mine. That is why we have brought this
amount to the Guru Darbar". The Guru appreciated their truthfulness and started
to build a baoli with that money at this place. At the instigation of Diwan
Jaspat Rai, this holy shrine was demolished by Yahaya Khan, the Nawab of Lahore
and was turned into the residential quarter. Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1834
A.D. rendered service to this place and got a new building erected and a sarovar
dug. Shops were built on all sides as to bring revenue for the management
of this shrine. He got a darwaza built near the baoli as a memorial. Bhai
Nihal Singh was made responsibe for the Sewa of this place. In 1903 A.D. Sri
Guru Singh Sabha, Lahore started weekly congregations here. When Sant Attar
Singh Visited this shrine in 1911 A.D., he started the daily recitation of
Asa di var. In 1927 A.D., The Gurdwara came under S.G.P.C management, but
the congregations at the time of Gurpurbs were held by Singh Sabha, Lahore.
At time of partition, Bhai Dalip Singh was martyred on 11th August, 1947.
Acknowledgements: Published by SGPC
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