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History - " Ownership Of Amritsar "
Posted by Preet Mohan S Ahluwalia Send Email to Author on Thursday, 9/17/1998 12:32 AM MDT
The Spokesman
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WHY NOT TRANSFER THE OWNERSHIP OF AMRITSAR TO THE AKAL TAKHAT

Dr. Kuldip Singh


There is irrefutable historical evidence that Emperor Akbar had granted the site of old Amritsar town to Bibi Bhani, daughter of Guru Amar Das, during the Emperor's Goindwal visit. Guru Ram Das further purchased 500 bighas of land on payment of Rs. 700/ Akbhari to the Zamindar of Tung. I quote the following important references in support of the above:

I

Gazetteer of India, Punjab, Amritsar published by the Revenue Department, Punjab, Chandigarh, 1976, page 27:

"Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru founded the city of Amritsar. The site was marked by a small natural pool. On the margin of the pool, Guru Ram Das erected himself a hut. Soon afterwards, in 1577, he obtained a grant of the site, together with 500 bighas of land from Emperor Akbar on payment of Rs. 700/- Akbhari to Zamindats of Tung, who owned the land. The land had hitherto been owned by a mixed community of Sayad Sheikhs and Ranghars. The tomb of Sayed Fatteh Shah, a former owner of the site is still existent outside the fort of Gobindgarh to the west."

II

M.A. Macauliffe, History of the Sikhs, Vol.II, Page 97:

Akbar: "The villages which thou refusest, I will grant to thy daughter Bibi Bhani." The Emperor Akbar upon this signed a grant of the villages in her name.

Guru Amar Das to Jetha: "Thou possessest the lands assigned to you by the Emperor. First build a house there for thyself and then excavate a tank to the east of it as a place of Sikh pilgrimage."

III(i)

Dr. H.R. Gupta, History of the Sikhs, Vol.I, p.122

"On learning that the Guru's (Amar Das ji) son-in-law, Ram Das was in search of some land in the heart of Majha, the Emperor (Akbar) granted a tract of land, not far, in Chubbal to Bibi Bhani.

III(ii)

Page 127:

"In 1577 he (Jetha) obtained a grant of the site, together with 500 bighas of land from Emperor Akbar on payment of Rs.700/- Akbari to the Zamindars of Tung, who owned the land. There he dug a tank, which he gave the name of Amritsar, the tank of nectar. A number of habitations grew around the tank. The whole place was popularly called Guru-ka-Chak, or Chak-Guru, or Chak-Ram-Das-Pura. Some petty traders setteled near the tank. This shopping centre came to be known as Guru-ka-Bazar.


IV

Khushwant Singh, History of the Sikhs, Vol.I, p.55:

"He (Jetha) had a tank dug at the site, granted to his wife by Emperor Akbar. When he became Guru, he started building a town around it. The town, which was destined to become the religious capital of the Sikhs, came to be known after him as Guru-ka-Chak, Guru Ram Das or Ram Das Pura. He invited tradesmen to set up business in the town and with the revenues obtained, he was able to expand his activities to distant parts of India."

Thus transfer of ownership to Akal Takhat can be easily carried out. Punjab Government may pass on 50% Sales Tax and 50% of Property Tax to the Akal Takhat treasury, keeping the other half with the government as collection charges. The police of Amritsar town should wear a distinctive uniform approved by Akal Takhat.

I am confident that everyone concerned would welcome and appreciate this proposal. Will the Chief Minister take some steps in this direction? Will it not be the fittest and the most appropriate way to celebrate the tercentenary of Khalsa's birth.

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