Episode No. 11: The History of the Village of Nanhedi on the Martyrdom Route of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji
(Safar-e-Patshahi Nauvin — Shahidi Marg Yatra)
Background Vocal: A poignant melodic wave, as if removing the dust of time, carries the viewer into the womb of history.
The village of Nanhdi is situated a few kilometers away from Hasanpur–Kaboolpur. There is no wide or grand road leading to this sacred place; one must take a turn near the bus stop on a narrow road to reach the Gurdwara Sahib located in this village. In the year 2021, our team Khoj–Vichar reached this place in search of history. Today, we meet a resident of this village and the Head Granthi of the Gurdwara Sahib, Sardar Gulzar Singh Ji. According to the conversation received from him on the basis of facts, local traditions mention that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji visited this town only once during His lifetime.
Head Granthi Sardar Gulzar Singh Ji-
This village of Nanhedi is a historic place deeply connected with the history of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. When Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Patshah Ji Maharaj arrived at Hasanpur–Kaboolpur along with His family, He then came from there with His family to this village of Nanhedi. The reason for this was the immense love of one of His Sikhs, Fateh Chand, for the Guru Sahib. When Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji Maharaj arrived in this town, He asked the residents—What is the name of this village? At that time, the local inhabitants submitted that, Maharaj, the name of this town is Nahedi. Then Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji added the letter “N” to this name and addressed it as “Nanhdi.” Thereafter, the name Nanhdi Sahib came into common usage for this village.
Moved by the love, devotion, and sentiments of Fateh Chand, the Guru Sahib Maharaj remained in this town for a full twenty-seven days. During this twenty-seven-day period of stay, the attendants and female attendants who accompanied the Guru’s family remained continuously engaged in service. During this same period, one of the female attendants of the jatha was abducted by a man of the town named Ghoga, and she was not allowed to return to the Guru Sahib. Despite this, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji stayed in this town for the entire twenty-seven days and thereafter departed from this town/village toward Bibipur.
After the departure of the Guru Sahib, in the year 1632 CE, when Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, at the age of six, traveled from Patna to Lakhnaur—which was His maternal home—His maternal uncle Kripal Chand was with Him. Baal Gobind Rai Ji, along with his maternal uncle Kripal Chand and his jatha, came to this town/village of Nanhedi. At that time, the same female attendants were with Him who had earlier served during the time of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. When a divan was held here, the same female attendant who had been abducted by Ghoga came into the filled divan to seek the Guru Sahib’s darshan. The female attendants of the Guru Sahib’s jatha immediately recognized their old companion.
When Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in His childhood, became aware of this entire incident, the words that came from His lips were-
“Ghoga kapat ka mogha.”
(“Ghoga is an outlet of deceit.”)
Thereafter, He did not accept any form of service from Ghoga. Then the Guru Sahib proceeded onward on His next journey.
Dr. Khoji
Sangat Ji, we heard the history of this place from Bhai Gulzar Singh Ji. From historical sources, we have also learned that when Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was on His journey along the Martyrdom Route, there is mention of the possibility of His arrival at this town/village at that time as well. However, based on the local traditions of this town and certain ancient sources, historians believe that the Guru Sahib did not come to this town/village a second time. According to Principal Jasbir Singh Ji, author of “Iti Jankari,” the same information is obtained.
Some sources also write that Ghoga Masand came to meet the Guru Sahib a second time. This is possible, because on the board at Gurdwara Hasanpur–Kaboolpur, it is recorded that while traveling along the Martyrdom Route, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji came to Hasanpur–Kaboolpur. Therefore, the possibility arises that Nanhedi may also have been visited in this sequence. Team Khoj–Vichar will certainly place a research-based seal on this fact as to whether Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji came to this town/village of Nanhedi a second time. Yes, it is certainly possible that when the Guru Sahib was traveling from this place toward Patiala—but the spiritual mysteries of that time, only the Guru Himself knows…
Background Vocal:
A slow, reverent melody highlighting the dignity of the place descends into the atmosphere.
Dr. Khoji-
Sangat Ji, the history of the Martyrdom Route is extremely complex and, at many places, filled with complications. At this turning point of history, even eminent scholars become confused. In some accounts, it is mentioned that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Patshah Ji was arrested at Malkpur Rangra and brought to Delhi. However, Sangat Ji, it is extremely necessary that our community and our scholars arrive at a common understanding regarding these historical facts. At the same time, in order to comprehend this history correctly, deep research and impartial study are essential, so that an authentic form of the Martyrdom Route may emerge before us.
Now we speak of the old house of Ghoga Masand. The scene you see on the screen, according to the residents of the town, is the very place which has now turned into ruins. The family of Ghoga Masand still resides in this town/village. When the subject of a curse arises, Gurbani reminds us—
“Satigur sabhna da bhala manāidā tis dā burā ki-o hoi.”
(Ang 302)
ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸਭਨਾ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਮਨਾਇਦਾ ਤਿਸ ਦਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਕਿਉ ਹੋਇ ॥
(ਅੰਗ 302)
That is, as a person acts, so must he bear the consequences. The mistake that Ghoga Masand committed, he himself had to endure its result. In the traditions of the town/village, it is also mentioned that even today there is a person in that family who lives a life immersed in the color of the Divine. People like us may call him mad, but in reality, he is a person living in a spiritual state, who can still be seen wandering in this town/village. This too is a truth of history.
With these facts, bringing the pages of this place’s history to a pause here, we now proceed toward the city of Patiala. Our next halt is Bahadurgarh. What is the history of the blessed Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji on that route? We shall learn this ahead. Passing through this same route—through places known as Samana, Garh Nazir, Karhali, and Chike—the blessed Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Patshah Ji reached Dhamtan Sahib. Stay connected with Team Khoj–Vichar, through the Khoj–Vichar Channel.
Background Vocal:
The rhythm of slow, spiritual tones seems to be unveiling the layers of history one by one.
Here, we bring these pages of history to a pause.
We shall meet—
in the next episode…
A Humble Request to the Sangat
The exploration of history, observation of sites, route journeys, and extensive documentation— all of these involve significant expenditure. If you wish to extend your support to this revered narrative, this Martyrdom Route episode, and all forthcoming historical efforts, then please contact—
Mobile Number: 97819 13113
Your invaluable support will greatly assist in carrying the glory of the Guru Sahib and the truth of this history to every individual.
Yours truly—
Historian, Dr. Bhagwan Singh ‘Khoji’
Background Vocal: (A grave, spiritual melody highlighting the dignity of the Guru’s character resonates in the atmosphere.)
Sangat Ji,
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Your own brave historian—
Dr. Bhagwan Singh Khoji
Special Information-
Beloved Sangat Ji, today we wish to share some special information with you. Doctor Ranjeet Singh Ji ‘Arsh’, who has arrived from Pune, Maharashtra, is present among us today. All the history that you are watching on Chardi Kala Time TV—the complete research—is also available on arsh.blog. As soon as you type arsh.blog on Google and open it, you will see the headings SAFAR-E-PATSHAHI NOVI and BHULE-BISARE GURUDHAM in the MENU.
In the Bhule-Bisare Gurudham section, detailed information is available about those historical sites which have today become endangered or nearly extinct. Likewise, in the SUBMENU of Safar-E-Patshahi Novi, a written account of the Martyrdom Route of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is available in Hindi, English, and Gurmukhi/Punjabi, which you can read, and you can also watch the related video clips. This great service is being carried out continuously by Dr. Ranjeet Singh Ji ‘Arsh’, by the grace of the blessed Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. Let us hear a few words from him, and then we shall proceed toward our forthcoming journey.
Dr. Arsh
Today is an extremely fortunate day. Today we stand upon that sacred land which has been sanctified by the touch of the Gurus’ feet—especially that path which is known as the Martyrdom Route. When the Guru Sahib was proceeding toward Delhi to offer His martyrdom, He shared immense love and a deep, intimate bond with the Sangat of this town. After resting here and meeting the Sangat, the Guru Sahib conveyed this message while departing—
“Bhai kāhū kau det nahi nahi bhai mānat ān.”
(Ang 1427)
ਭੈ ਕਾਹੂ ਕਉ ਦੇਤ ਨਹਿ ਨਹਿ ਭੈ ਮਾਨਤ ਆਨ॥
(ਅੰਗ 1427)
That is, do not instill fear in anyone, nor accept fear of anyone. Nanak says—O mind, listen! Only such a person is truly wise.
The Guru Sahib passed along this Martyrdom Route to safeguard the conscience of humanity. This was a martyrdom in which there was no personal self-interest whatsoever—no dispute over water, no land, no power, no throne. This martyrdom was solely and entirely for the protection of the soul of humanity. Today, Team Khoj–Vichar stands present on that very Martyrdom Route. I express my heartfelt gratitude to historian Dr. Bhagwan Singh ‘Khoji’, who invited me to this sacred place and kept me accompanying him throughout this entire journey. Along with this, with the cooperation of Team Khoj–Vichar, I am rendering the service of documenting this entire Martyrdom Route and presenting it on my blog arsh.blog.
Thank you.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!