In this series No. 13 we will hear the history of Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib Ji’s arrival at Baba Bakala and in whose house he stayed there
The first name of ‘Bakala’ was ‘Buken’. ‘Buken’ is a Persian word meaning a place where deer graze. There was a big mound on which deer grazed. It was called ‘Buken’ which later came to be known as ‘Bukenwara’. The name changed from ‘Bukenwara’ to ‘Bakala’. Today we know it as ‘Baba Bakala’. It was at Bakala that Guru Hargobind ji’s father-in-law lived and Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib Ji’s and Baba Atal Rain Ji’s grandfather lived. It was the home of Baba Atal Rai ji and Mata Nanaki ji, the mother of Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib ji. This is where Guru teg Bahadur sahib Ji’s Nana Harichand Ji and Nani Harideyi Ji lived, who belonged to a very large family. Guru Hargobind sahib ji used to come here with his entire family. There was a Gursikh family here whose name was – ‘Bhai Mehra Ji’ Bhai Mehra Ji was a great devotee of Guru Ji. He requested Guru Ji that I have built a new house, you set foot in that house. Guru Hargobind sahib ji comes and stays at Bhai Mehra’s house. When Guru Ji was about to leave, Bhai Mehra Ji requested, “Guru Ji, don’t go. Stay here for a while.” Guru Hargobind sahib Ji, seeing his devotion, promised him, “Bhai Mehra ji, the time has not come yet. No matter, your devotion will surely bear fruit. When the time comes, we will stay in your house for a very long time. When did Bhai Mehra Ji ask. In this house the residence of Guru Arjan Dev ji’s wife Mata Ganga Ji (who looked like Guru Hargobind sahib ji’s mother and Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib ji’s grandmother) was kept in this house. Guru Tegh Bahadur ji’s grandmother stayed at Bhai Mehra Ji’s house and served him here.
Guru Hargobind sahib ji also used to visit. It was in this house where Mata Ganga Ji breathed her last breath. Today, Gurdwara Sheesh Mahal stands here in the memory of Mata Ganga ji. Bhai Mehra Ji had made his house bigger because Guru Sahib had promised that we would stay in your house for a long time. He was just waiting. Now Guru Hargobind sahib Ji had handed over the responsibility of Guruship to Guru Har Rai Ji in 1644 AD and had promised Mata Nanaki Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib Ji and Mata Gujri Ji that you should go to Bakala, go to Bhai Mehra Ji’s house and stay there. After this Guru Hargobind passes away. Mata Gujri ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib ji and Mata nanaki ji, after the passing away of Guru Hargobind sahib ji at Kartarpur in 1644, came to Baba Bkala and stayed at Bhai Mehra’s house.
So in the next series No. 14 we will hear what was the daily routine of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji while staying at Baba Bakala and what Guru Ji used to do while staying at Baba Bakala.