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Shaheed Ganj Bhai Mani Singh, Lahore |
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The site of martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh is located inside Masti Gate of Lahore. He was born of a family which strictly followed the life style set by the Guru. He has the honour of being a childhood friend of Dashmesh Pita (10th Guru). He had compiled the Guru Granth Sahib under the divine guidance of Dashmesh Ji. In 1721 AD Mata Sundri Ji appointed him as the Granthi of Harmandar Sahib. It is said that once he called a gathering of the Sikhs inside Harmandir Sahib on the occassion of Diwali with the permission of the then government. But he cancelled the sangats when he learnt that the government would massacre the Sikhs gathered there. Bhai Ji was arrested on this account. All kinds of cajoles, threats and tortures could not shake him from his belief in Sikh faith. At last in 1724 AD he was hacked to pieces and martyred at this spot. Initially the control of this Shaheed Ganj was with Mahants but in 1923 AD, it passed on to the local committee. The control remained with SGPC from 1927 upto 1947. Now it is in the charge of Waqf Board. Presently a turner has installed his lathe machines inside it
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Text and photographs:Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan : Iqbal Qaiser |