Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur – Sangat Tola

Gurdwara Sangat Tola was visitd by Guru Tegh Bahadur. On his way to Assam his local followers had received him with great affection building the two storey Gurdwara for his stay. The Guru and some of his Devotees accompanied a force of Mughal Soldiers dispatched to Assam. Guruji's assistance averted hostilities between Assam and Mughal Hindustan resulting in a peace treaty. He returned to stay for two years (1666-68) on his return from Assam. Sikh Devotees visited him in hundreds every day listening to the Kirtan and holy discourses. Gurdwara Sangat Tola was visitd by Guru Tegh Bahadur. On his way to Assam his local followers had received him with great affection building the two storey Gurdwara for his stay. The Guru and some of his Devotees accompanied a force of Mughal Soldiers dispatched to Assam. Guruji's assistance averted hostilities between Assam and Mughal Hindustan resulting in a peace treaty. He returned to stay for two years (1666-68) on his return from Assam. Sikh Devotees visited him in hundreds every day listening to the Kirtan and holy discourses. On the retirement of Granthi Bhai Ram Singh, who had served the Shrine from 1895 to the January 29, 1939, his son Bhai Kirpal Singh was appointed Granthi. While he left in the wake of Partition in 1947, his mother Kanchan Devi, continued to look after the Gurdwara (She was popularly called Shikker Ma / mother of the Sikh). But she, too, had to flee to join her son in Calcutta when the Pakistan military government started its reign of terror. The Gurdwara fell into disuse until in early 1972 when during the war of independance and the establisment of Bangladesh a Sikh soldier was deputed, temporarily, to serve the Gurdwara. He left when his unit resturned to India. Since that time some hand written manuscripts of the holy Granth Sahib and a portrait of Guru Tegh Bahadur done by an artist of his time and some epistles sent by Guru Gobind Singh have been discovered at the Shrine. There used to be another memorial to Guru Nanak Dev in Dacca, a well, which was blessed by the Guru. It is mentioned in Dacca district Gazetteer, Calcutta, 1912. The original Gurdwara at 14 Sreesh Das Lane of Bangla Bazar, in which Guruji stayed is very dilapidated. Bangladesh Gurdwara Management Board with the active cooperation of the local committee has decided to construct a new building in its place. It also decided to grant the request of Sant Baba Sukha Singh, chief of Kar Sewa Sampardai Sarhali (Amritsar) to render his services for the construction of the new building Kar Sewa. Sant Baba Sukha Singh was then invited to visit Bangladesh and inspect the site. In August 2005 Baba Sukha Singh along with his jatha visited Dhaka where he, after visiting the Gurdwaras, had a discussion with Sri Suresh Kumar, and the local Sangat regarding the construction of the new building of Gurdwara Sangat Tola. It was decided to evacuate the families from the Gurdwara's premises, who were illegally staying there, before the work for the construction starts. Baba Sukha Singh Ji then asked Sri Suresh Kumar to talk to the concerned families so that they are evacuated at the earliest and the Kar Sewa is started. Baba Sukha Singh along with his jatha again visited Bangladesh in March 2006 to see the work going on there. In the meantime, Granthis and Sevadars sent by Baba Sukha Singh Ji are performing the day to day religious functions at Gurdwara Nanakshashi, Gurdwara Sangat Tola, Gurdwara Chowk Bazar, Chittagong and Gurdwara Pahar Tali, Chittagong. It is expected that Kar Sewa of Gurdwara Sangat Tola Bangla Bazar Dhaka will start soon. There used to be an annual fair here in the month the Chet (March-april). There is however no trace of it now. The site is now covered with residential building near the present Dhan Mandi (paddy market). At present, these two Gurdwaras are being maintained by Bangla Desh Gurdwaras Management Board, attached to Takht Sri Patna Sahib. Captain Bhag Singh was its first indefatigable general secretary. Gurdwara Sangat Tola: Gurdwara Sangat Tola in 14, Sorees Das in Bangla Bazar, Dacca marks the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur resided and held congregation during his stay in Dacca. On the retirement of Granthi Bhai Ram Singh, who had served the Shrine from 1895 to 29th January 1939, his son Bhai Kirpal Singh was appointed Granthi. While he left in the wake of Partition, his mother Kanchan Devi, continued to look after the Gurdwara (She was popularly called Shikker Ma mother of the Sikh). But she, too, had to flee to join his son in Calcutta when the Pakistan military government started its region of terro. The Gurdwara fell into disuse until in early 1972 a Sikh soldier was deputed temporarily to serve it. He left when his unit moved back to India. At present, these two Gurdwaras are being maintained by Bangla Desh Gurdwaras Management Board, attached to Takht Sri Patna Sahib. Captain Bhag Singh was its first indefatigable general secretary. There used to be another memorial to Guru Nanak Dev in Dacca. It was a well blessed by the Guru. It is mentioned in Dacca district Gazetteer, Calcutta, 1912. There used to be an annual fair here in the month the Chet (March-april). There is however no trace of it now. The site is now covered with residential building near the present Dhan Mandi (paddy market). Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Guru of the Sikhs established Gurdwara Sangat Tola at 14 Sreesh Das Lane of Bangla Bazar. Guru Tegh Bahadur came to Dhaka from Assam and stayed here for two years (1666-68). Another Gurdwara which is now at English Road was built by Mohan Singh, a poor young Sikh during the early years of his life. Mohan Singh was appointed Dewan in Chittagong by the then, Nawab. There was a temple called Sangat ShutraShahi at Urdu Bazar, but when the Shutra Sadhus deserted it, still remain shrouded in mystery. In course of time it collapsed. This is a religious place for Sikh community. It was built 300 years ago for the Guru Tegh Bahadur. When he was on his way to Assam the local followers of him built this two storied house for his rest. A very narrow street to this place and remains heavy traffic.