Authors: Abinash Mahapatra, Rubina Mumtaz Sehrai

Erstwhile documented as Campbellpur in the British Records, the city of Attock in the Punjab Province of Pakistan has been accredited to be a momentous devout destination for the Muslims over and above the Sikhs. There perseveres a very intense latent amidst the Sikhs to step their feet into the realm of Kot Fateh Khan prevailing in this city. If the chronicles of this district are scrutinized, then one can mark out the substantial unexplored portion of Sikh History concealed amongst every corner of its stint. Commencing from the presence of Itihaasik Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib Ji (Patshahi Pehli) to the Ferocious Battle of Attock which emanated on 13th of July, 1813 amid The Sikh Empire and The Durrani Kingdom.

With the grace of Akaal Purakh Sri Waheguru Ji, the Gur Khalsa Fauj under the regulation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji accomplished the first-ever noteworthy victory against the 15,000 Horse Regiment Durrani (Afghan) troops of Fateh Khan. Bhai Mokham Chand Nayyar and Sardar Hari Singh Ji Nalwa dichotomized the Gur Khalsa Fauj into deuce sections by establishing their stand in contrary to the Durrani troops being regulated under Dost Muhammad Khan. When the grumbles of combat were blown by Fateh Khan, his territorial army presumed to be in a state of carcasses thru substantial sorties by the Peer O Khalsa (The Shastar(s) of Sant Sipahi), and aftermath, a massive jurisdiction was captured.

Above and beyond to all the afore-cited magnificent chronicles from the Golden Folios of Sikh History, it will be an out-of-the-blue context for us if we fail to recall the glorious amal of Gurmat Mahapurakh, Sant Baba Thaan Singh Ji whose ephemeral autobiography can be well accessed from Akali Morcha Tey Jhabbar authored by Sant Baba Narain Singh Ji. Sant Ji was a local inhabitant of Village Fateh Khan of Attock District who expended maxim of his life’s junctures in evolving the human souls by instilling them the two-fold concepts of Sikhi which connotes to Bani and Bana. Enduring in a state of Akaal E Bandgi, he promulgated the Santhiya of Sri Aad Bani & Sri Dasam Bani along with Puran Shastar Vidya.

Once while sauntering, the antiquated peer of the realm, Malik Fateh Khan had the heavenly experience of adhering to the melodious intone of Sant Baba Thaan Singh Ji, while he was delivering the Shabad of Panjve Patshah, Saheedan De Sartaaaj, Jagatguru Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj. The Shabad had such a reflective impact on Fateh Khan that he determined to lead his life in accord to the doctrines of Gur Khalsa Panth. On his devout pleading, Sant Baba Thaan Singh Ji bequeathed his consent of constructing a dwelling for him where the Gur Khalsa activities can be regulated to the Vidyarthi(s), followed by the Langar Seva, thus an inclusive crux of Degh Tegh Fateh got profusely systematized.

Malik Fateh Khan renamed this Pawan Pavittar Asthaan as Kot Baba Thaan Singh Ji, which was later transformed into a Gurdwara Sahib during the reign of Sher E Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji.


The Legacy of the Gurdwara Sahib

The utmost astounding leitmotif in context to this Gurdwara Sahib prevails in the fact that the Daily Routine was adhered inclusively in accord to the Purataan Sikh Rehat Maryada. There were Parkash of both, Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj as well as Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji. This proves that Purataan Gur Sikhs would have been emanated from this realm who were instilled with the Khalsa qualities of Sant & Sipahi, in addition to being embellished with the dense aspects of Shastar & Shaastar.

On the parapets of this Gurdwara Sahib, the murals of Nihang Singh(s) embracing Khande Di Pahul from Dasvin Nanak Jyot, Kalgiidhar Sachey Patshah, Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, whereas there also prevailed a distinct terra firma where Jhatka was performed with Puran Gur Khalsa Sikh Rehat Maryada. Inopportunely, for the unexpected calamity that shed its blanket upon this province throughout the dreadful instance whilst a narrow domestic wall was framed amidst India & Pakistan (the juncture of partition) in which enormous populace of Sikhs migrated and thus, in the current stance, the Gurdwara Sahib is in carcasses, yet the architecture, murals and Jhatka Asthaan are existing.


Current State and Future Prospects

The Rawalpindi District Gazetteer of 2001 has reflected upon the fact that around 4000 Sikhs from the worldwide had procured in the year of 1893 to enjoin the commemorative event dedicated to Sant Baba Thaan Singh Ji, which was generally organized during the months of April – May. On the contrary, few amongst those who migrated to India during partition constructed a Gurdwara in the memory of Baba Thaan Singh Ji at Patiala where also procured Sri Aad as well as the Dasam Darbar along with the regulation of Sri Jhatka Maryada.

But as the jiffies surpassed, the Panth Dokhi Missionary Lehar resulted in culmination of the Deific Jhatka, yet the Exquisite Parkash of Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji endured. Nevertheless lamentably, the Maryada of Sri Dasam Parkash and the deliverance of Hukumna from Sri Dasam Bani aftermath persisted for only scarce existences. The pungent breeze of Panth Dokhi Missionary Lehar efficaciously obliterated the Purataan Sampradayai Maryada practices and implemented the self-styled semi-baked Rehat Maryada.

It’s high time now that there should procure a renaissance of Purataan Sampradayai Maryada, the most authentic amongst which connotes to Sri Hazur Sahib Sikh Rehat Maryada. Additionally, the Govt. of Pakistan must take obligatory steps for revitalization of Itihaasik Gurdwara Baba Thaan Singh Ji prevailing at Kot Fateh Khan, and the Gur Khalsa Panth must regenerate the Seva Sambhal of it according to the Maryada of Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib by installing Aad Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj and Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji.

May the Grace of Akaal Purakh Ji prevail.

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