| Gurdwara Bangla Sahib | |
|---|---|
 Gurdwara Bangla Sahib as viewed from Main Entrance.  | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sikhism |
| Location | |
| Location | Connaught Place,Delhi,India. |
 Interactive map of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib | |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Sikh architecture,Mughal architecture |
| Founder | Sardar Baghel Singh[1][2] |
| Completed | 1664 as a bungalow, again rebuilt in 1783, current structure mostly built post 1947 |
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib (listenⓘ) is one of the most prominentSikhgurdwaras, or Sikh house of worship, inDelhi, India, and known for its association with the eighthSikh Guru,Guru Har Krishan, as well as the holy pond inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar." Originally a bungalow of RajaJai Singh I ofAmber, it was rebuilt as a small shrine by Sikh General SardarBaghel Singh in 1783. In the same year, there was reconstruction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi.[3]
It is situated nearConnaught Place, New Delhi on Baba Kharak Singh Marg and it is instantly recognisable by its golden dome and tall flagpole.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was originally abungalow belonging toRaja Jai Singh, an HinduRajput ruler in the seventeenth century.[4] Guru Har Krishan stayed at the bungalow after being invited to Delhi by Jai Singh.[4] Guru Har Krishan had been summoned to Delhi byAurangzeb as his legitimacy as the Sikh guru was challenged byRam Rai, however Raja Jai Singh and Raja Ram Singh decided to assist the Sikh guru during his visit, with Jai Singh offering the guru his bungalow as a residence until the succession dispute was solved.[4] While in Delhi, Guru Har Krishan provided charity to the local people of the city who were sick, with him instructing Diwan Dargah Mal to spend all the daily offerings on the downtrodden.[4] However, Guru Har Krishan died in Delhi on 6 October 1661.[4] Raja Jai Singh would construct asmall tank over its well, whose waters are taken home by modern Sikhs asamrit for its supposed healing properties.[4]
Since Guru Har Kishan stayed at Raja Jai Singh's bungalow (pronouncedbangla in the local vernacular), it has now been converted to a gurdwara called theBangla Sahib to memorialise Guru Har Krishan's stay there.[5][4] The eighth Sikh Guru,Har Krishan resided here during his stay in Delhi in 1664. He died on 30 March 1664.[6] The gurdwara and itsSarovar are now a place of great reverence forSikhs, and a place for special congregation on birth anniversary ofGuru Har Krishan. Thesarovar measures 225 by 235 feet with an 18 foot wideparkarma and a 12 foot wideveranda along its three sides.[4]
In 1984, during the anti-Sikh riots, some 150 Sikhs took sanctuary inside the gurdwara. A Hindu mob carrying cans of gasoline, attempted to storm into the temple, but were driven back.[7]
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managemen Committee operates a hospital in the sublevels of the structure.[4] In March 2021, the gurdwara inaugurated the cheapest diagnostic centre with the aim to provide healthcare for the poor. The patients can get anMRI scan at₹50.[8] Also connected to the site is a Khalsa Girls School and an art-gallery and museum named after Baghel Singh.[4]
In 1782, the Sikh Sardars, ever bolder, made an expedition to Delhi. Sardar Baghel Singh established a camp in Delhi and built four gurdwaras, Sis Ganj Sahib, Bangla Sahib, Rakabganj Sahib and Bala Sahib
Media related toGurudwara Bangla Sahib at Wikimedia Commons
28°37′36″N77°12′32″E / 28.6267°N 77.2089°E /28.6267; 77.2089
