 | |
| Jahaz Haveli (Haveli Todar Mal)en.wikipedia.org/ |
Above image: Jahaz Mahal-17th century brick structure in Fatehgarh Sahib, Harnam Nagar Punjab, Inda...................
Jahaz Haveli or Jahaz Mahal is a historical building used to be the residence (haveli) of Todar Mal, a local businessman from Sirhind. Besides, he was an ardent follower of the Sikh Gurus, like Guru Gobind Singh (22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. This old 17th century structure also goes by the name the Haveli Todar Mal. Todar Mal had a close rapport with the Mogul rulers of Delhi and at one point of time became the Diwan in the court of Nawab Wazir Khan, the Governor of Sirhind, under Mughal Empire. His good relationship with the Mogul administration did not last for a long time because he defied the Moguls by way of arranging for the cremation of young martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh and his mother.
During the reign of Mogul ruler Aurangzeb, a tyrannical Muslim fanatic, there were relentless wars between the Sikhs and Moguls. Aurangzeb was forcing non -Muslims like Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and others into Islam under the threat of death
and torture. Guru Gobind Singh and his followers protested this forced conversion. Further, non-Muslims aligned with the Guru, had refused to pay tribute to the Islamic officials based in Jammu and the jizya (poll tax on non-Muslims) Aurangzeb had imposed. All these acts of refusal infuriated the Mogul ruler. Guru's mother Mata Gujri and his two younger sons were captured by Wazir Khan, the Muslim governor of Sirhind. According to the Sikh tradition, his youngest sons, aged 5 and 8, were executed by burying them alive into a wall after they refused to convert to Islam, and Mata Gujri died soon after hearing of her grandsons' death. Both Guru Gobind Singh's eldest sons, aged 13 and 17, also died in December 1704 in battle against the Mogul army as they defended their father.
Today, Todar Mal is most remembered for his courageous role during the most troublesome period, putting his own life at risk.
The haveli in Harnam Nagar, on the Eastern side of Sirhind-Rupnagar Railway Line just 1 km away from Fatehgarh Sahib is now being taken over and restored by SGPC with the help of Punjab govt and INTACH. Todar Mal descendants
 |
| Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. en.wikipedia |
are now living in Ludhaina. The present descendants known as Mandals are from sub caste of Sood and are Kshatriyas. The mandal family records are available in Haridwar since 16th century. Todar Mal was from Punjab.
The lavish haveli is made of Sirhindi bricks and is just outside the Mughal Governor Nawab Wazir Khan’s palace, once boasts of a grand reception area to receive and entertain guests and a well laid-out ground complete with a pool and fountains.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahaz_Haveli
.jpg)
