Jahaz Haveli in Fatehgarh Sahib Tells a Story of True Sacrifice
Jahaz Haveli in Fatehgarh Sahib stands as a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of Diwan Todar Mal, who ensured the dignified cremation of Guru Gobind Singh's sons and their grandmother in 1704.
Jahaz Haveli is also called Jahaz Mahal. It is a very old house in Sirhind, Punjab, India. It was built in the 1600s. A man named Diwan Todar Mal used to live here. He worked as an important officer in the Mughal court.
This haveli is very special for Sikh history. A sad and brave story is connected to this place. After the death of Guru Gobind Singh’s two younger sons and his mother, this haveli became part of the story. That is why people remember it even today.
Who Was Diwan Todar Mal?
Diwan Todar Mal was a rich businessman from Sirhind. He worked as a tax officer during the rule of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. People remember him for his great respect for the Sikh Gurus. His most famous and kind act was helping to do the cremation of Guru Gobind Singh’s two young sons and their grandmother in the year 1705, after they were killed.
The Martyrdom of the Sahibzadas
In December 1705, two young sons of Guru Gobind Singh were caught by the Mughal ruler of Sirhind. Their names were Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, who was 9 years old, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, who was 7 years old. The ruler, Wazir Khan, told them to leave their religion and become Muslims. But the brave boys said no. Because of this, they were put inside a wall and bricked alive. Their grandmother, Mata Gujri, was locked in a cold tower. When she heard what happened to the boys, she passed away.
Todar Mal's Noble Deed
After the sad deaths of the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri, no one was allowed to do their last rites. Their bodies were lying without respect. At that time, a kind man named Diwan Todar Mal came forward to help. He wanted to give them a proper cremation.
But the ruler of Sirhind, Wazir Khan, made a very difficult rule. He said Todar Mal could only buy land for cremation if he covered it fully with gold coins standing straight up, not flat. This was a very big and expensive task.
Even though it was very costly, Diwan Todar Mal did not stop. He brought many gold coins and placed them one by one in a standing position on the ground. He did this until the whole piece of land was fully covered.
Because of his kind heart and strong will, he was able to get the land. Then, he made all the arrangements to cremate the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri with full respect.
Architecture of Jahaz Haveli
Jahaz Haveli was a big and beautiful house made using special Sirhindi bricks. It had a large hall where guests were welcomed. There was also a nice garden with a pool and some fountains. This house was built close to the palace of Nawab Wazir Khan. The design of the house showed the style and beauty of buildings made in that time.
Decline and Restoration
After Todar Mal arranged the cremation, Wazir Khan became very angry. Because of this, Todar Mal and his family had to leave their home, the haveli. After they left, the haveli was not taken care of. Slowly, the building started to break down. Some parts of it even fell down completely.
Many years later, people understood that this old building was very important. It was a big part of history. So, the SGPC (a Sikh organization), the Punjab government, and a group called INTACH started working together. They made a plan to fix and save the haveli so that future generations can see and remember this special place.
Legacy and Memorials
Today, the place where the cremation happened is called Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup. A road that connects this Gurdwara to other Gurdwaras nearby is named Dewan Todar Mal Marg. This road is named to show respect to Dewan Todar Mal. Also, a special hall called Diwan Todar Mal Memorial Hall has been built at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. This hall was made to remember his kind and brave action.
In the end...............
Jahaz Haveli is a symbol of bravery, love, and sacrifice. Diwan Todar Mal did a great and kind act. He made sure the two young sons of Guru Gobind Singh and their grandmother were cremated with respect. People remember his help with great respect. Today, the building is being repaired. This will help young people learn about this story. It is an important part of history that teaches us about courage and kindness.
About the Creator
Rahul Kumar
I'm Rahul Kumar, a passionate writer & author who creates engaging content across niches—from lifestyle to tech—to inform, inspire, and connect with readers.
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https://medium.com/@rahul__kumar
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