Guru Ki Maseet

Guru ki Maseet, also known as Guru's Mosque, is a historical mosque that was constructed by sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib at request of local Muslims of Sri Hargobindpur.[1][2][3] Situated in Sri Hargobindpur town on the banks of River Beas, it is recognized as a historic site by UNESCO.

History

In December, 1634 Guru Hargobind Sahib fought a fierce battle against Mughal forces near the River Beas.[4][5] Although heavily outnumbered, the Guru was victorious. Guru Sahib decided to stay there for a while, and soon a settlement grew up at this location. The settlement expanded into a town which became known as Sri Hargobindpur (-pur, being a suffix for "place of").

This mosque has existed in this location since the period of the sixth Guru.

Post-Independence of India

With the turmoil of the partitioning of India in 1947 and the mass movement of people, the mosque fell into a state of neglect and disrepair. In time the care of the Masjid fell into the hands of a group a Nihang Singhs who installed the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib in the one-time Masjid. For many years, the mosque was maintained by Nihangs.[6]

On 8 February 2001 a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MoU) was signed by Kirtan Singh, the chief of the Tarna dal - the Sikh caretakers of the mosque, and the Punjab Waqf Board[7] and Muslims perform their prayers at the mosque. Dr. Mohammed Rizwan-ul-Haq, Punjab Waqf Board Administrator, described the MoU as an international event which would pave the way for strengthening communal harmony in the country.

References
  1. Page 39, Sharing the Sacra: The Politics and Pragmatics of Intercommunal Relations around Holy Places;Glenn Bowman; Berghahn Books; 15 Jul 2012
  2. Page 432, Competition Science Vision; Jun 2002; 136 pages; Vol. 5, No. 52;Published by Pratiyogita Darpan
  3. "Rebuilt mosque stirs hope in indias punjab". Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  4. History of Gurdwara Damdama Sahib: Battle of Sri Hargobindpur
  5. Details of SRI GOBINDPUR. or SRI HARGOBINDPUR: The Sikh Eencyclopedia
  6. The sites are a Muslim shrine, the Dargah of Baba Shah Badr Diwan, which is in the care of the Christian community of Masania and a mosque, the Guru Ki Maseet in Sri Hargobindpur, which is being cared for by Nihang Sikhs.: Krishna Temple - World Heritage UNESCO Bangkok
  7. Guru Ki Maseet: Info-Sikh Website

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