Episode No. 6:The Arrest of the Ninth Guru in Punjab
(Safar-e-Patshahi Ninth — The Martyrdom Route Yatra)
Sangat ji, Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!
The sacred Martyrdom Route, which began from Sri Anandpur Sahib, gradually unfolds those chapters where human history attained immortality.
In this sequence, today we arrive at Malkpur Rangda, the place associated with one of the most sensitive episodes in the journey of the Ninth Patshah, blessed by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji.
From Bharatgarh to Malkpur Rangda –
The Next Halt of the Journey
After sending the Sangat back from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Guru Sahib spent the first night at Bharatgarh.
The next morning, the direction in which the hoofbeats of Guru Sahib’s horse moved was—Malkpur Rangda.
Today, while having the divine darshan of the Gurdwara Sahib located at this very spot, it feels as if the dust of time is slowly being brushed away and history itself is stepping toward us, drawing us into its depths.
In the background, it is as though a soft musical narration arises—
“A tale of immortal suffering, buried under the layers of time…”
Two Historical Traditions Associated with Malkpur Rangda
The history related to this place appears in two distinct forms.
1. The Tradition According to Kesar Singh Chhibbar
According to the renowned historian Kesar Singh Chhibbar, when Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji reached Malkpur Rangda, some Rangda villagers sent a message to the Sirhind administration stating:
“Guru Tegh Bahadur Patshah is staying in this village.”
In that era of the fanatical Mughal rule, Aurangzeb had given explicit orders that Guru Patshah must be arrested at all costs.
The historical records written by Kesar Singh Chhibbar state that Guru Sahib was arrested for the first time here in Malkpur Rangda.
From here, he was taken towards Delhi, where he ultimately attained martyrdom for the welfare of humanity.
Local elders also narrate the same event, mentioning that it took place in the month of Saawan,
and the date is remembered as 12 July 1675 CE.
Esteemed historian Dr. Bhagwan Singh ‘Khoji’ also affirms that Guru Sahib certainly reached this place on 12 July.
The Question –
If Arrest Happened Here, Why Mention an Arrest in Agra?**
This question often arises in history: If Guru Sahib was arrested here on 12 July, then how do we explain the references to an arrest in Agra?
Local elders offer an important perspective: Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji was not arrested once,
but three times at different stages.
This place is therefore considered the site of the first arrest.
The elders narrate that at that time, Bhai Mati Das ji had gone to fetch water from a well in one of the village houses. From there, the Rangda villagers learned that Guru Patshah had arrived in their village.
The Mystery of the Ancient Well
The ancient well of Malkpur Rangda is now extinct.
When the Sangat and numerous elders were consulted, everyone unanimously said:
“The ancient well no longer exists.”
Today, there are nearly 12 wells in this village, but it is said that none of them belong to the Guru’s era.
Another elder narrates that earlier, there was no habitation here— the village was located on the other side. In the last hundred years, this area gradually became populated. At that time, there were mixed Hindu and Muslim settlements here, and even today, the village has four old mosques.
The View of Historians –
Why This Cannot Be Considered the Final Truth
Most learned historians do not accept that the first arrest of Guru Sahib took place at Malkpur Rangda. The reason is this—According to verified historical records: Guru Sahib travelled to Patiala,
then spent the chomasa at Bahadurgarh, then reached Dhamtan, then Kharkpur, and also travelled to Agra.
Had the arrest at Malkpur Rangda been the final and complete arrest, this entire Martyrdom Route—
from Dhamtan to Agra— would not appear in history, which is impossible.
A Heart-Touching Statement by a Local Elder
The words of an elderly man still echo in the ears:
“History is neither entirely true nor entirely false. History is simply history;
we can speak only what is written and only what our ancestors have told us.”
This dual tradition- written records and oral heritage- together grants this site its special historical significance.
Malkpur Rangda:
The Arrest, Historical Debate, and the Ropar Detention
Dr. Khoji explains: “When I first came here, this Gurdwara was known as Sri Guru Singh Sabha.
But once the study of history began, and keeping in mind the sentiments of the Sangat, the name of this sacred place was changed to
‘Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji Gurdwara.’”
According to local elders, on 18 April, the Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Sahib,
an Akhanda Paath was held here; and on that blessed occasion, the Gurdwara was formally renamed in the divine memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji.
Differing Historical Opinions Regarding the Arrest
On this subject, scholars have expressed differing views.
In particular, based on the writings of the great historian Dr. Ganda Singh, and the sources found in the Bhat Vahis, it is recorded that:
- Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji was arrested in Agra, and
- He was martyred in Delhi on 11 November.
On the other hand, according to local elders, the arrest in Agra happened later. They assert that Guru Sahib was first arrested here, at Malkpur Rangda, detained for one or two days, and then released.
It has also been widely circulated among the local populace that— after Guru Sahib moved forward from here, the Faujdar of Ropar held him in detention for two days, and then allowed him to continue his journey.
Four Months of Imprisonment and the Historical Question
If the commonly mentioned “four months of imprisonment” is accepted literally, then many historically documented sites would automatically stand invalidated. The reason is—
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji left on 11 July 1675 CE and attained martyrdom on 11 November 1675 CE.
Within this 124-day span, Dhamtan Sahib, Kharkpur, Agra, and several other villages and towns
are clearly mentioned in various historical sources.
If the first arrest is assumed to have occurred at Malkpur Rangda, then the entire 124-day Martyrdom Route —from Dhamtan to Agra— would disappear from history, which is not possible.
Therefore, this subject demands a very serious historical reconsideration.
The Information Written on the Signboard: 12 July 1675 CE
On the board installed in the Gurdwara premises, the following is written:
On 12 July 1675 CE, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji, Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Sati Das ji, and Bhai Dayal ji were arrested from this place and taken to Ropar.
They were kept in the kotwali (police custody) there.
After this, on 13–14 July, a royal decree (farmān) was issued by Abdul Aziz and Dilawar Khan,
and Guru Sahib was sent to the Bassi Pathana jail.
We Stand Today Upon the Same Jail
We are, at this moment, standing upon the remains of that very jail. Behind us, ancient watchtowers (burj) are visible— one tower could not withstand the ravages of time and has collapsed; the other still stands, as if guarding history.
The main entrance appears worn and weakened under the blows of passing centuries, yet each stone seems to call out as though it has become the voice of history itself.
A Detailed Examination of the Jail — Ahead
Sangat ji, we will now examine every section of this jail.
With us is Sardar Jatinder Pal Singh ji, who is providing invaluable assistance in understanding and identifying this historical site.
After this examination, we will also shed light on the remaining historical facts associated with this sacred place.
Let us now proceed on this journey through the jail— Here, we pause the pages of history for a moment, and Sangat ji, we shall meet again in the next part of this series…
A Humble Appeal to the Sangat
The exploration of history, the examination of sites, the long travels, and detailed documentation—
all of these require significant financial resources.
If you wish to support this Guru-centered narrative, this Martyrdom Route project, and the various historical efforts that are to come, then please contact:
📞 97819 13113
Your invaluable supportwill greatly help in spreading Guru Sahib’s glory and the truth of this history to countless people.
Yours in service and devotion,
Historian Dr. Bhagwan Singh ‘Khoji’
Background Music:(A deep, spiritual melody- highlighting the grandeur of the Guru’s character-
resonates in the atmosphere.)
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!