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History of Gurdwara Janamsthan Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed
According to principal sources, it was here, in village Pahuwind that Baba Deep Singh ji was born on 14 magh 1682 CE - refer Panda Vahi Kirpa Ram Prabhakar Hardwar; Gyani Gyan Singh: Raj Khalsa Satvin Misl Shaheedan Di, 1: 35; Kahn Singh Nabha, Guru Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh, p. 58; Prof Raijasbir Singh, Jeevan Baba Deep Singh Shaheed, p. 7, 337; Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, Twarikh, II: 479. The entire village population, small at the time, was located on the village theh, or high ground.
Possibly preceded by a dharamsal, oral tradition suggests that the first gurdwara in the village was established adjoining its habitation on high ground, within the laldori, in circa 1830 (the building has housed the village dispensary since 1983). Later, the growing village population saw two more gurdwaras appear, both outside the laldori, one each in Dane-ki-pati (circa 1915) and another in Mirze-(Bagran)-di-pati (circa 1925).
On India’s Independence, a larger common gurdwara was planned, pursuant to which Bibi Mohinder Kaur ji—who was from the lineage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s distinguished General, Sardar Bahadur Gulab Singh Pahuwidia—proved to be the principal driving force. Unanimously, the entire village including its elders and prominent citizens, together with its panchayat, selected a vacant plot measuring approximately four kanals (half-acre), enthroned the Guru Granth Sahib in a tent pitched upon it, and performed the recitation of the Akand Paath. After the bhog ceremony, on hola mohala, Saturday the 7th March 1969, the construction of the gurdwara began, duly consecrated with a foundation stone-laying ceremony. Initially, only two rooms were constructed, where now lies the sarovar, and the Guru Granth Sahib was enshrined therein.
By January 1982, on the grand occasion of Baba Deep Singh’s tricentenary
(300th) birth anniversary celebrations, the darbar hall had been
constructed but the Guru Granth Sahib was yet to be enshrined within.
Several religious leaders graced the occasion and expressed concern at the
small-sized plot and the diminutive infrastructure. At the time, donation
for construction was fixed at a paltry 10kg wheat @ acre of land holding
of village residents. Appreciating that Baba Deep Singh ji’s birthplace
(janamsthan) was likely to attract huge footfall in the coming years, a
decision was taken to canvass the assistance of a karsewak, and to this
end, village elders appealed to the Mahakarsewak, Baba Kharak Singh ji of
Bir Baba Budha Sahib, who very kindly acceded to their request and, a few
days later in March 1982, paid a visit to the gurdwara. Having assured him
of their full support and cooperation, village residents began to
voluntary place currency notes as per their financial standing on the very
rug upon which Baba Kharak Singh ji was seated. Thus began the
construction of the gurdwara in right earnest under the aegis of Hon’ble
Baba Kharak Singh ji. By January 1984, the darbar hall had been completed,
Guru Granth Sahib enthroned therein, and a golden finial placed upon its
dome. After the demise of Baba Kharak Singh ji, the responsibility for
karsewa passed to Baba Darshan Singh for a few years.
On Baba Deep Singh ji’s birth anniversary celebrations in January 1993,
the foundation stone of the sarovar (sacred pool) was laid and, by
Vaisakhi in April that year, the pool was ready for use by pilgrims. At
this juncture, the village panchayat along with several families from the
village donated land to the gurdwara, significantly adding to its acreage.
Later, more land was purchased by the gurdwara from offerings. In 2003,
the karsewa passed to Bhai Guriqbal Singh of Bibi Kaulan Bhalai Kendra
Trust, Amritsar. Among his first tasks in collaboration with the sangat
was the commissioning of a gilt-covered palki with 1kg 900 grams of 24
carat gold that cost Rs 18.36 lacs at the time.
The darbar hall was expanded in 2007 to accommodate the increasing pilgrim
footfall. In 2013-14, guest accommodation was constructed, followed by the
grandiose Diwan Hall in 2016-2024. Several other projects are under
development. Until 1986, the nishaan sahib was only 40 feet high. Baba
Kharak Singh ji replaced it with one 100 feet in height. Later, Bhai
Guriqbal Singh installed one measuring 125 feet. In 1994, ‘Shaheed Baba
Deep Singh Foundation (Registered Trust)’ was instituted which is
responsible to run the gurdwara and all its ancillary activities which
truly represent Baba Deep Singh ji as the quintessential sant-sipahi and
the binary of ‘bhagti’ and ‘shakti’.