New Delhi, April 19
Hidden from the public eye for years, rare relics of Guru Teg Bahadur will adorn a special segment at the historic Red Fort on Wednesday when the government marks the 400th birth anniversary of the ninth Sikh master over two days.
Holding the relics, which include wooden slippers worn by Guru Teg Bahadur’s wife Mata Gujri while she was carrying Guru Gobind Singh in her womb, are the descendants of Bhai Rup Chand, a long-time associate of the sixth Guru Hargobind until the 10th Guru Gobind Singh.
“We have preserved the heritage through generations. Bhai Rup Chand served the sixth master Guru Hargobind; had a long association with the ninth master Guru Teg Bahadur and performed the Anand Karaj of the 10th master Guru Gobind Singh,” says Bhai Buta Singh, the 13th generation descendant of Bhai Rup Chand.
Based at a village named after Bhai Rupa in Bathinda, Buta Singh unravels his glorious collection of Guru Teg Bahadur’s relics to be displayed tomorrow as part of the exhibition being organised by the National Institute of Punjab Studies, Bhai Vir Singh Sadan, which former PM Manmohan Singh heads.
The relics include a “kara” the ninth master wore; a “kirpan” he carried; a “rumala sahib” (handkerchief) Mata Gujri used; a “hukamnama” (Guru’s order) to Bhai Rup Chand’s family; and a “khadaun” (wooden slippers) of Mata Gujri. The hukamnama bears the original handwriting of Guru Teg Bahadur.
The relics were first located, pictured and conserved through INTACH by the institute. —
Sikh relics to be displayed on 400th birth anniversary event of Guru Teg Bahadur at Red Fort
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