JAHAZI HAVELI OF SIRHIND IN HISTORY 35

JAHAZI HAVELI OF SIRHIND IN HISTORY

INDERJEET SINGH*

INTRODUCTION
A ruined structure in Sirhind known as Jahazi Haveli which was
built like the shape of a ship is attributed to be the mansion residence
of Diwan Todarmal who performed the cremation of younger sons
of Guru Gobind Singh and their grandmother following their
martyrdom in December 1704/05. Some repairs were done more than
a decade ago and then stopped. This short article tries to explore the
history and ownership of the Jahazi Haveli.
VISIT TO SIRHIND IN 1822
On 1stApril 1822, Major Sir William Lloyd and Captain Alexander
Gerard visited the old fort in Sirhind, which was of moderate
dimensions and built of bricks but in a ruinous state. In it were the
‘tombs of Guru Govind (Singh)’s mother, and of his two children,
who were cruelly put to death’. The author writes although the tombs
are plain, ‘the sepulchres’ are often visited by Sikh pilgrims, and ‘it is
said that five hundred of the sect constantly perform the duties at
them.’
This is one of the earliest recorded visits to the site and a few
years later a Gurdwara Sahib was built by Maharaja Karam Singh
(r.1813-45). Sadly, it makes no mention of Diwan Todarmal or Jahazi
Haveli but is an important slice of the history of this region.1
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA REPORT 1864
Subhash Parihar is a well-known name in academic circles for
* The writer is the author of the book, Afghan Hindus & Sikhs History of a
Thousand Years; Email: <inderjeet08@hotmail.com>
36 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: JULY-SEPT 2023/ 555 NS

his work on Islamic-era structures, architecture, and their history in

the Greater Punjab region. One of his works, History & Architectural
Remains of Sirhind was published in 2006. In this book, he quotes
Alexander Cunningham who refers to Jahazi Haveli as the Haveli of
Sahabat Beg or Sandik Beg. Unfortunately, nothing is known about
Sahabat Beg or Sandik (Sandiq) Beg.
Dr. Parihar adds that the ‘large span and almost flat-headed profile
of the entrance arch’ of the Haveli indicate its erection in the mid-
seventeenth century. The academic further states that the land where
this Haveli stands is the property of the daughter-in-law of Raja
Shivdayal Singh, a member of the Council of Regency during the
childhood of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh (birth October 1891, crowned
in 1900) of Patiala.2
Cunningham who visited in 1863/64 writes ‘The Haveli or
dwelling house of Sahabat Beg, or Sandik Beg, is only worthy of notice
as, perhaps, the largest existing specimen of the ugly domestic
architecture of the wealthy Muhammadans of the Mogal Empire.’3
Alexander Cunningham was appointed the Archaeological
Surveyor in 1861. He founded and organised the Archaeological Survey
of India. He wrote numerous books and due to his immense
contribution, he is considered to be the father of Indian Archaeology.
The stature of Cunningham meant that this assertion that the Haveli
belonged to Sahabat Beg made it to tourism books as well.
OTHER DOCUMENTATION IN THE BRITISH ERA
London-based John Murray publishing house when they produced
a handbook for potential tourists to Punjab4 and India5 repeated the
Cunningham statement but removed the word ‘ugly’ to describe this
Haveli.
Chas J Rodgers discusses the Haveli of Sahabat Beg in The Report
of the Punjab Circle of the Archaeology Survey for the year 1888-89. Dr.
Parihar refers to it in his write-up on Jahazi Haveli.6
However, Rodgers did not include the Haveli when he composed
the Revised List of Objects of Archaeological Interest in Punjab in 1891.7
 JAHAZI HAVELI OF SIRHIND IN HISTORY 37

The Punjab State Gazetteers 1904 Phulkian States provides just one
line, ‘here (Sirhind) is also a JahaziHaveli built on the model of a
ship.’8
POST-INDEPENDENCE DOCUMENTATION
The Census of India 1951 for district Fatehgarh Sahib copies
and quotes the said Gazetteers in the introduction chapter and repeats
the same line on Jahazi Haveli.9
In 1972 Punjabi University, Patiala published the book titled
Sirhind through the Ages edited by Fauja Singh. The book had articles by
eminent historians on Sirhind in some detail.
Fauja Singh & M.S. Ahluwalia in the article ‘Some Eminent
Administrators & High Officials of Sirhind’ wrote without providing
any reference that ‘his (Todarmal Shahjahani) magnificent mansion
called Jahazi Haveli today even in its ruins presents a very impressive
view.’10
Kirpal Singh (& Fauja Singh) in the article ‘Monuments of Sirhind’
in the same book takes a slightly more cautious approach to Jahazi
Haveli and writes ‘its construction is attributed to Dewan (Seth) Todar
Mai who during the Mughal period, by dint of merit, got quick
promotions and rose to be the Amin or Karori (according to some
accounts even the Faujdar) of Sirhind.’11
The Maathir ul Umara contains the biographies of Muslim and
Hindu officers under the Mughals till 1780. Shah Nawaz completed it
in around 1759 then his son Abdul Hayy added additional biographies
and completed the second edition of the manuscript in 1780. This
manuscript states that Todarmal Shahjahani died in 1665-66. 12 Hence
it would not have been possible for him to make arrangements for the
cremation of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh and their
grandmother after their martyrdom in December 1704/05.
Ganda Singh writing for the journal The Panjab Past and Present in
1985 is silent on the ownership. He describes Jahazi Haveli as a
‘building of architectural importance, raised to represent the shape of
a ship (Jahaz). Most of it is gone. The remaining portion is in a
38 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: JULY-SEPT 2023/ 555 NS

dilapidated condition.’13
Punjab District Gazetteers for Patiala published in 1992 refers
to the structure as ‘Jahazi Haveli of Seth Todarmal’ again without
providing any reference. 14 This Gazetteer refers to the book Sirhind
through the Ages and makes the same error of attributing the cremation
of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh and their grandmother to
Todarmal Shahjahani. It must have been a namesake who lived in
Sirhind around 1705.
SIRHIND WAS NOT A PROVINCE
In most books written by Punjabis, it is erroneously stated Sirhind
was a Suba (or province) and Wazir Khan was the Subedar (Governor).
In fact, Sirhind was a Chakla or Sarkar which was an administrative
division under a province or suba and akin to a district.
Encyclopaedia of Sikhism15 and many Sikh historians like J.S.
Grewal16, Bhagat Singh17, and Surjit Singh Gandhi18 correctly denote
Wazir Khan as the Faujdar of Sirhind.
Ahkam-i-Aiamgiri (Orders of Aurangzeb) is a collection of orders
(farmans) issued following the instruction of the Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb. It contains four orders relating to Sikhs and is addressed
to Wazir Khan. Sirhind is referred as Sarkar. One of the orders, widely
quoted refers to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s two sons and other companions
being killed at the village of Chamkaur and one son (the transcriber
was mistaken, it was two sons) and his mother being captured.19
Wazir Khan was not an ordinary Faujdar but with additional
powers. Akhbar-i-Darbar-Mualla is the Mughal court newsletters. The
ones relating to Punjab from 1707-18 were translated by Bhagat Singh
in 1984. The newsletter dated 1st December 1707 mentions Wazir
Khan as Faujdar and Amin of chakla of Sirhind who had a mansabdari
rank of 5000 zat and 4000 swar (cavalrymen). The rank of 2500 zat
and 1300 swar was exempted from any conditions and obligations to
the state.20
Tazkiratu Salatin Chaghata states Wazir Khan descended from Wazir
Khan Akbar Shahi (a noble under Akbar). The manuscript further
 JAHAZI HAVELI OF SIRHIND IN HISTORY 39

adds that Suchanand was his Peshkar (chief clerk) and Rustam Dil
Khan was appointed Faujdar of Sirhind after Banda Singh Bahadur’s
defeat at Sirhind in late 1710.21
Muhammad Qasim’s Ibratnama of 1723 mentions Suchadanand,
Chief Clerk (Peshkar) of the late Wazir Khan.22 Mirza Muhammad in
his Ibratnama written in 1719 refers to Wazir Khan as Amin and Faujdar
of chakla Sirhind.23
As late as 1763 during the Durrani – Sikh struggle, the Persian
sources state the head of the division, Zain Khan as Faujdar of chakla
Sirhind.24
CONCLUSION
The writer of this article does not claim to have studied all the
books and articles on Jahazi Haveli of Sirhind. However, during the
British era, it was not attributed as a non-Muslim building. The book
Sirhind through the Ages published in 1972 seems to be the first work
that refers to Diwan Todarmal as the owner of Jahazi Haveli without
providing any reference for this assertion.
The old timers and elderly of Sirhind recall that the Jahazi Haveli,
as they were told by their parents and grandparents was a Haveli of a
rich Muslim.
A mid-seventeenth-century building irrespective of its origins
should be preserved however the public (especially Sikhs) sentiments
should be taken into consideration, who feel aghast at what they see
as the apathy of the authorities in conserving the Jahazi Haveli of
Diwan Todarmal. The Archaeological department of the Government
of Punjab and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee should
investigate this matter and share any updated research on Jahazi Haveli.
It is not uncommon that some errors creep into verbal traditions
over a period of time. This has been the case with Sirhind which has
been referred to as Suba or province in verbal traditions but was Sarkar
or Chakla. It is never too late to correct an error.

~~~
40 ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES: JULY-SEPT 2023/ 555 NS

REFERENCES

1. William Lloyd & Alexander Gerard (1840) Narrative of a

Journey from Caunpoor to the Boorendo Pass in the Himalaya
Mountains via Gwalior, Agra, Delhi & Sirhind. Vol 1 London: J.
Madden & Co. p74-75
2. Subhash Parihar (2006) History & Architectural Remains of
Sirhind.New Delhi:Aryan Books International p. 209
3. Alexander Cunningham (1871) Archaeological Survey of India
Four Reports made during the years 1862-63-64-65 by Vol II. Simla:
Government Central Press p. 211
4. Handbook of the Panjab, Western Rajputana, Kashmir &
Upper Sindh, 1883London: John Murray p. 170
5. A Handbook to India, Burma & Ceylon. John Murray, London,
1898 (3rd edition) p. 195
6. Subhash Parihar op. cit.
7. Chas J Rodgers (1891) Revised List of Objects of Archaeological
Interest in Punjab. Lahore: W.Ball & Co.p. 55
8. Punjab States Gazetteers Vol XVII. A 1904 Phulkian States.
Lahore: Punjab Government, 1909 p. 209
9. Census of India 1951 Pepsu District Census Handbooks Vol
5 District Fatehgarh Sahib. Simla: Pepsu Government p. V
10. Fauja Singh (1972) Sirhind through the Ages. Patiala: Punjabi
University p. 80
11. Ibid. p. 142
12. BainiPrashad(1952) The Maathirul Umara by Shah Nawaz Khan.
Translated by H. Beveridge. Vol 2. Calcutta: Asiatic Society.
p. 958
13. Ganda Singh (1985) Some Important Towns of PEPSU. The
Panjab Past & Present. Vol. XIX-I p. 244
14. Gazetteer of India Punjab Patiala. Chandigarh: Punjab Govt.
1992 p 633
15. Please see the entry of Wazir Khan in the Encyclopaedia of
Sikhism
16. J. S. Grewal (1967)Guru Gobind Singh A Biographical Study.
Chandigarh: Panjab University p. X, 138, 145, 150, 161
 JAHAZI HAVELI OF SIRHIND IN HISTORY 41

17. Bhagat Singh (1984) Akhbar-i-Darbar-i-Mualla. The Punjab

Past & Present. Vol XVIII-II p. 24,26
18. Surjit Singh Gandhi (1999) Sikhs in the Eighteenth Century: Their
Struggle for Survival and Supremacy. Amritsar: Singh Brothers p. 30
19. J.S. Grewal & Irfan Habib (2001) Sikh History from Persian
Sources. New Delhi: Tulika p. 97
20. Bhagat Singh op. cit.
21. J.S. Grewal & Irfan Habib op. cit. p. 143-144
22. Ibid. p. 116
23. Ibid. p. 134
24. Ibid. p. 190