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{{Short description|Gurdwara in Punjab, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Gurudwara Mehdiana Sahib
| infobox_width =
| image = Gurudwara Mehdiana Sahib.jpg
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| caption = Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib
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| district = [[Ludhiana district|Ludhiana]]
| location = Mehdiana
| geo =
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| religious_affiliation = [[Sikhism]]
| rite =
| state = [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
| country = {{flag|India}}
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| website =
| architecture = yes
| architect =
| architecture_type = [[Gurdwara]]
| architecture_style = [[Sikh architecture]]
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[[File:Sikh Saheed.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sculpture of [[Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh]] being executed by dismemberment at Mehdiana Sahib]]

'''Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib''', also called the ''''School of Sikh History''''<ref name="punjabiportal.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.punjabiportal.com/articles/gurudwara-mehdiana-sahib-sikh-sculptures |title=Gurudwara Mehdiana Sahib – Sikh Sculptures | Punjabi Portal Articles |access-date=25 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124155225/http://www.punjabiportal.com/articles/gurudwara-mehdiana-sahib-sikh-sculptures |archive-date=24 November 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a [[Sikh]] [[gurdwara]] located in the village of Mehdiana, just outside Mallha, near [[Jagraon]] in [[Ludhiana district]], [[India]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.punjabiportal.com/articles/gurudwara-mehdiana-sahib-sikh-heritage |title=Gurudwara Mehdiana Sahib – the Gurudwara | Punjabi Portal Articles |access-date=25 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825083308/http://www.punjabiportal.com/articles/gurudwara-mehdiana-sahib-sikh-heritage |archive-date=25 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Sikhs believe the site of the gurdwara to be where [[Guru Gobind Singh]] and his followers rested after the [[Battle of Chamkaur]] against the Imperial [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] armies of [[Aurangzeb]] and where he was requested by his followers or the [[Sangat (term)|Sangat]] to write the [[Zafarnama (letter)|Zafarnamah]].<ref name="unp.me">{{Cite web|url=http://www.unp.me/f168/gurdwara-mehdiana-sahib-ji-103997/|title=Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib Ji}}</ref>

The gurdwara is known for its uniquely coloured architecture and monuments depicting important events in [[History of Sikhism|Sikh history]].<ref name="punjabiportal.com"/> Additionally, the Dhaab (natural water reservoir), greenery, birds and trees made Mehdiana Sahib popular with pilgrims.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Today parts of the Gurdwara have become dilapidated due to a lack of funds resulting from its isolated location and private ownership status.<ref name="punjabiportal.com"/>

==History==

===Events===

{{Further|Battle of Chamkaur}}
In 1705 [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] armies under [[Aurangzeb]] laid siege to [[Anandpur Sahib]] intent on reducing the influence of [[Guru Gobind Singh]] and the [[Khalsa]]. During the siege [[Aurangzeb]] sent a signed letter to [[Guru Gobind Singh]] offering safe passage out of [[Anandpur Sahib|Anandpur]]. Pressed by his followers and family he accepted and evacuated Anandpur on 20–21 December 1705.

[[Guru Gobind Singh]], his two eldest sons ([[Sahibzada Jujhar Singh]] and [[Sahibzada Ajit Singh]]) and thirty-eight followers arrived at [[Chamkaur]], where they were granted shelter. Despite assurance from [[Aurangzeb]] of safe passage a contingent of the imperial army was sent to lay siege to the [[haveli]]. Vastly outnumbered [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was disguised as another [[Sikh]] and escaped with only three others including [[Bhai Daya Singh]] and [[Bhai Dharam Singh]].

[[Guru Gobind Singh]] reached Mehdiana after gathering support from across the [[Malwa (Punjab)|Malwa]] region passing through the villages of [[Raikot]], Lamme Jattpure & [[Manuke, Ludhiana district|Manuke]] before finally reaching Mehdiana.<ref name="unp.me"/> The nearest habitation at the time was almost {{convert|3|mi|km}} away so [[Guru Gobind Singh]] and his followers rested by cleaned their teeth using tree twigs (Daatan) and bathed in the water (Daab).<ref name="unp.me"/> While [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was meditating [[Bhai Daya Singh]] asked what they should do next. [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s reply encouraged his followers to have faith in [[God in Sikhism|God]]'s will as they had done no wrong.

<blockquote>"Bhai Daya Singh I have returned the Debt and have become victorious. Singh and Tiger are kings of the same jungle. Singhs should keep faith in the Almighty."</blockquote>

Still distressed [[Bhai Daya Singh]] again repeated his requested, on behalf of all [[Sikhs]] ([[Sangat (term)|Sangat]]). [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s reply showed that despite being [[Guru]] to the [[Sikhs]] [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was only a mortal man and that in reality he was a servant to [[God in Sikhism|God]] and the [[Sangat (term)|Sangat]].<ref name="itihaasakgurudwaras.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.itihaasakgurudwaras.com/punjab/Moga/GurudwaraShriMehdianaSahib/index.php |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-01-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019034110/http://www.itihaasakgurudwaras.com/punjab/Moga/GurudwaraShriMehdianaSahib/index.php |archivedate=19 October 2010}}</ref> The quote refers to the execution [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s father and proceeding [[Sikh Guru]] [[Tegh Bahadur]] for opposing forced conversion to [[Islam]] of [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiri]]s by [[Aurangzeb]]<ref name=singh>Surinder Singh Kohli. 1993. The Sikh and Sikhism. pp. 78–89</ref>

<blockquote>
"Sangat is bigger than Guru. [Sangat] Sent father to Delhi on Kashmiri Pandits plea. [Then] On Sangat's request [I] left Anandpur Sahib, [I] left Chamkaur Garhi on Sangat's request, [And] now you are asking me on Sangat's behalf."<ref name="itihaasakgurudwaras.com"/>
</blockquote>

Discussions about the future of the [[Sikhs]] continued until on [[Sangat (term)|Sangat]]'s request [[Guru Gobind Singh]] began to prepare his mind to begin writing the [[Zafarnama (letter)|Zafarnamah]].<ref name="itihaasakgurudwaras.com"/> [[Guru Gobind Singh]] went to the village [[Chakkar]] that night and the next day travelled to Deena Sahib to stay with Lakhmir and Shamir; after gathering support at the villages Takhtupura and Madhe. In [[Chakkar]] he wrote the Zafarnamah and sent it to [[Aurangzeb]] in [[Aurangabad, Bihar|Aurangabad]] with [[Bhai Daya Singh]] and [[Bhai Dharam Das]].<ref name="unp.me"/>

For this reason pilgrims claim that Mehdiana Sahib has [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s blessing and that visiting will mean their prayers will not go unanswered.<ref name="unp.me"/>

==Gurdwara Attraction==
Before the late 1960s the Mehdiana complex looked like a forest with dense trees and bushes growing all around the place of worship. The gurdwara was not developed and maintained properly and there was no habitation within a distance of two to three miles (5 km). Later Jathedar Jora Singh Lakha took the responsibility for its development and made Mehdiana Sahib a popular destination for pilgrims. In 1972, when Lakha started the work, only a few acres were attached to the gurdwara but slowly the gurdwara complex covered {{convert|25|acre|m2}}. The art pieces statue constructed in the Gurudwara was made by the Great sculpture artist " Tara Singh Ji " Which are the center of attraction of the Gurudwara Sahib ji

In the vicinity of this gurdwara are the sculptures and statues of [[Sikh]] warriors who not only laid their lives for the sake of the religion but also endured torture at the hands of the [[Mughals]]. These statues depict soldiers, women and children being cut to pieces. Some sculptures show [[Bhai Kanhaiya]], one of the soldiers of [[Guru Gobind Singh]], serving water not only to the wounded soldiers in their own army but also to wounded enemy soldiers. Through these sculptures Lakha not only aimed to depict history but also to educate people that religion was more important than their lives. He felt it was better to sacrifice one's life than to accept injustice and cruelty and lose one's self-respect.

He has tried to show that the [[Sikh]] religion was born from the sacrifices of our ancestors and that religion should not be taken for granted. The importance of preserving one's self-respect and the triumph of good over evil have been beautifully depicted in the sculptures and paintings.

==Gurdwara Complex==
[[File:Sikh Guruji.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sculpture of [[Mian Mir]] and his followers at Mehdiana Sahib]]
The gurdwara is a fine specimen of Sikh architecture. Crores of rupees have been spent on its construction. Exquisite meenakari work can be seen here. On the door of the eighth floor of the building is engraved a picture of [[Bhai Gurdas]] who is dictating the bagtan di bani to the fifth guru. On the walls of the gurdwara are engraved images of Guru Gobind Singh's deeds along with his hymns and on the main door is shown Bhai Daya Singh Hura holding the horse of the Guru. Inside the main building of gurdwara a beautifully decorated [[Guru Granth Sahib]] is kept.

The gurdwara complex has its own [[Dasmesh]] Public School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030623/ldh1.htm|title = The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Ludhiana Stories}}</ref>

==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
File:Mehdiana 1.jpg|Sculpture of the execution of [[Bhai Dayala]] by being boiled alive at Mehdiana Sahib
File:Mehdiana 2.jpg|Sculpture at Mehdiana Sahib of the execution of [[Sahibzada Zorawar Singh]] and [[Sahibzada Fateh Singh]] by being bricked alive ([[Saka sirhind]]) by Nawab [[Wazir Khan (Sirhind)|Wazir Khan]] of [[Sirhind-Fategarh|Sirhind]] at [[Fatehgarh Sahib]]
File:Mehdiana 3.jpg|Enslavement, torture, and execution of Sikh women and children during the governorship of [[Moin-ul-Mulk|Mir Mannu]]
File:Mehdiana 4.jpg|Sculpture of a mass Sikh execution
File:Mehdiana 5.jpg|Sculpture of the execution of [[Banda Singh Bahadur]] at Mehdiana Sahib
File:Mehdiana 6.jpg|Sculpture of the execution of [[Bhai Subeg Singh|Subeg Singh]] and Shahbaz Singh on a death wheel (charkhari) at Mehdiana Sahib
File:Mehdiana 7.jpg|Sculpture of the execution of [[Bhai Mati Das]] by being sawn in half at Mehdiana Sahib
File:Mehdiana 8.jpg|Sculpture of the collection of 5 rupee rewards for delivering Sikh heads to village elders<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_display.cfm/blog_id/30195 |title=The Iconoclast |access-date=25 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721192701/http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_display.cfm/blog_id/30195 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
</gallery>

==See also==

* [[Sikh Ajaibghar]]
* [[History of Sikhism]]
* [[Sikh architecture]]
* [[Sikh art and culture]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=30.6735377&lon=75.4259062&z=14&l=0&m=h&v=2 Gurdwara Sahib on Wikimapia]
{{coord missing|Punjab (India)}}

[[Category:Gurdwaras in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Ludhiana district]]

Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib - Revision history

Dr.ravi.poet: made a pg