March 7, 2012
The History of Amritsar
The holy city Amritsar is in Punjab. It
is known for the famous Golden temple (also known as the Harmandir Sahib)
amidst a pool of water (Amrit Sarovar). The proper city was founded during the
early 16th century by Guru Ram Das. Now it is a major center for
Sikh tradition. It is just 29 km away from the Wagha Border.
The historians trace the origins of
the city back to the period of Indus civilization. The region was a part of the
Indus valley settlements. It is a disputed factor however. Around third century
BC this area was administered by Alexander the Great. Later the Mauryans
acquired the land as it is believed now and was ruled by the Gupthas and
Kushans also. Around tenth century, the region came under the influence of
Muslim rulers such as the Lodhi dynasty and the Mughals.
The construction of the Amritsar city
began during the early part of the 15th and the 16th
centuries. The region witnessed a strong Sikh influence and thus the Forth Sikh
Guru Ram Das took the construction project. Guru Ram das was appointed to build
a township near Santoksar tank by his Guru Amar Das (The Third Guru). The
township was built and was named as Santoksar. Later, Guru Amar Das assigned a
second township project that which is the present day Amritsar. The present day lake (the pool of nectar) has
been excavated and reconstructed with the help of thousands of volunteers and
paid laborers. The expansion of the township took place in the later periods by
the initiation of Sikh Gurus. A temple was built amidst the pool of nectar and
the Sikh Scripture the Guru Granth Sahib was placed inside the Darbar Sahib in
1604. The city was under numerous attacks by the Mughals and the tragic
Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in the same city by General Dyer. In the
year 1984 the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi forcefully evacuated thousands
of Sikh militants from the Golden temple under ‘Operation Blue Star’. As a
result the city had witnessed riots and deaths in massive number. Now, the city
of Amritsar has resumed normalcy and is a secured place to visit.
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