Gurudwara Baba Jamaiyat Singh Ji

Kahna Nau, Lahore District

The remnants of Gurdwara Baba Jamaiyat Singh are located in the town of Kahna Nau, near Kahna Kacha, on Lahore-Ferozepur Road.

Historical Context

Baba Ram Singh Kuka (1816-1885) founded the Kuka Movement, a political movement with religious overtones in Punjab, whose principal goal was to overthrow the British. In 1857, when the Kuka Movement was in its incipient stages, Baba Ram Singh could identify and locate only a handful of Gursikhs among all the affluent and prominent Sikhs who followed the theological code set by the Gurus. Those Sikhs included Baba Jamait Singh Kahna Kacha Lehina Singh Gharjakh, and Baba Jamait Singh Gill.

Although Baba Jamait Singh of Kahna's (Kacha) name cannot be traced in the available British documents related to the Kuka Movement, the name of Jamait Singh Gill can be found in the list of Lieutenants of Ram Singh Kuka, who attended him during the Diwali fair on October 27, 1867, at Amritsar. Another confidential letter, written by one O'Conner, District Superintendent of the Police of Hoshiarpur, to the then officiating Inspector General of Punjab, on November 27, 1871, lists 50 chiefs of the Kuka Sect. It includes an entry about "Jumeat Singh. son of Jhunda Singh Jat," of Gill, Pusroor Sialkot, who held the positions of Subah and Muhan."

Sikh Shrines in West Pakistan (1962) states that Baba Jamait Singh was regarded as a 19th- century saint, and after his death a samadh was constructed on the site of his meditation. Later, a gurdwara was constructed, attached to some 500 acres of agricultural land. Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan (1998) claims that Baba Jamait Singh was in fact a notorious thief who later reformed, and devoted his life to the Guru, and passed the entire remainder of his days reciting the name of Satguru." The Quest Continues: Lost Heritage (2018) refers to a legend that Baba Jamait Singh was instead a kind of local Robin Hood, who would distribute wealth to the needy.. and who later chose a path of spirituality.“

For decades after the '47 partition, the building stood in good condition, as illustrated in a photo provided in Sikh Shrines in West Pakistan (1962)." However, with time Gurdwara Sahib has fallen into dilapidated condition. Huge cracks run through its arched halls, and plants have sprouted within its abandoned walls. The lingering, ethereal beauty of the white structure, which must have been mesmerizing at its zenith, has fallen into a state of utter shambles.

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Urban Context

The Gurdwara Baba Jamiyat Singh Ji is surrounded by dense urban structures, including compact residential and commercial buildings. Encroachments are evident, particularly to the south and east, which limit the open space around the complex. The surrounding area reflects a mix of community-oriented and informal developments, highlighting the site’s significance amidst a bustling suburban setting.

The sacred core is defined by the main Gurdwara building located centrally within the site. It is surrounded by a green area, enhancing the sanctity and creating a visual buffer from the densely packed urban environment. The Gurdwara remains the focal point of the complex, symbolizing spiritual prominence.

Urban development pressing into the site, especially along its southern boundary, reduces the spatial integrity of the complex. The self-grown trees around Gurdwara Baba Jamiyat Singh Ji, resulting from neglect, obstruct pathways and contribute to the site’s deterioration. Their unchecked growth has caused damage to the Gurdwara’s structure, with roots affecting its foundations. Immediate removal of harmful trees and a planned landscaping approach are essential to restore accessibility and protect the site’s integrity.

Location

Gurdwara Baba Jamiyat Singh Ji is located in Kahna Nau, a growing suburban area in the Lahore District. The gurdwara is situated adjacent to Lahore-Ferozepur Road, a major thoroughfare that connects the site to central Lahore and the nearby town of Kasur. This prime location positions the Gurdwara within a densely populated urban fabric characterized by compact housing, narrow streets, and commercial activity.

Accessibility and Connectivity

The Gurdwara is well-connected to the wider Lahore area via Ferozepur Road, a major arterial route linking it to urban centers. This arterial road facilitates ease of access for visitors and pilgrims arriving from both Lahore and Kasur. A smaller, secondary road branches off Ferozepur Road, leading directly to the Gurdwara complex. This route provides local connectivity and serves as a direct access point for the community.

Surrounding Settlement

Residential housing interspersed with commercial and institutional uses. This blend creates a dynamic urban environment that caters to the diverse needs of the local population. The dense urban form reflects efficient land use, characteristic of growing suburban neighborhoods.

Urban Integration

The blue lines illustrate the Gurdwara's harmonious integration with the surrounding urban fabric, fostering a balance between the sacred and the everyday, and establishing the Gurdwara as a pivotal landmark within Kahna Nau’s identity.

Architectural Features and Their Analysis

Nestled in the bustling Ghala Mandi of Kahna Nau near Lahore, the Gurdwara Baba Jamiyat Singh Ji, built in Samvat 1942 (1883 AD), is a poignant example of 19th-century Sikh religious architecture. While its structural integrity is severely compromised today, its architectural richness and cultural significance remain undeniable. This review explores its spatial organization, structural features, and ornamentation, offering insight into the architectural sophistication of this historic shrine.

The Gurdwara is part of a once-extensive complex that included residential quarters and a langar khana (community dining hall). Though most ancillary structures have vanished, the surviving main building and boundary wall suggest a thoughtfully designed sacred space. The Gurdwara is set on a square plan, elevated on a modest 6-inch platform. At its heart lies the Parkash Asthan, the sanctum where the Guru Granth Sahib was once installed. This central chamber is surrounded by a parikrama, allowing devotees to circumambulate—a practice integral to Sikh worship. A defining feature is the double-height central chamber, which emphasizes verticality and grandeur. The four entrances, one on each side, symbolize inclusivity—a hallmark of Sikh philosophy. The layout reflects a balance of symmetry, functionality, and spiritual symbolism, underscoring its role as both a communal and sacred space.

The Gurdwara’s double-story elevation is a masterclass in Sikh architectural aesthetics. The facade is adorned with multi-foil arches, recessed panels, and false jharokas, creating a rhythmic interplay of depth and light. The western entrance, framed in red stone, stands out as a focal point, signifying its importance. Chamfered corners, embellished with fluted pilasters, draw parallels to the design language of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Samadhi in Lahore. The walls are segmented into rectangular and square panels, enriched with multi-foil arch details. Cornices along the upper edges add a subtle horizontal emphasis, contrasting with the verticality of the structure.

The architectural centerpiece of the Gurdwara is its double dome, an engineering and aesthetic marvel. The inner dome is less spherical and features a concentric arrangement of small bricks that taper towards the apex. The outer dome, fluted and grander, is crowned with an inverted lotus and a metal kalasa, embodying traditional Sikh architectural motifs.

Current State

Since the building of the gurudwara itself is very dilabriated there is a risk of structural collapse of the site, so it's always advised not to visit the upper floors of the site. There are some remnants of the old buildings that were present inside the complex but they are usually difficult to access due to a lot of vegetation.

The dome of the building fell about 10 to 15 years ago which caused a lot of damage to the site and left behind a very fragile structure, during the Islamic Month of Muharram people living inside the Guruduwara complex tend to organize religious gatherings even today. Up until a few years ago the main Muharram Procession of the area also used to pass through this Gurudwara complex but due to the bad physical condition of the building it doesn’t pass anymore. The decorations and the features of the Architectural designs of the building are still visible but are in poor condition.

The preservation of Gurudwara Jamiyat Singh is an opportunity to bridge cultural and religious divides, showcasing the intertwined histories of the Sikh and Muslim communities in Pakistan. While facing challenges like physical deterioration, interfaith relations, and changing cultural landscapes, these obstacles also present opportunities for collaboration and mutual understanding.Efforts should focus on involving both communities in the preservation process, fostering respect for shared history, and passing down the site’s significance to future generations. Preservation should not be limited to maintaining the structure but should also honor the collective memory and history of the region. By engaging in education and community involvement, Gurudwara Jamiyat Singh can become a living testament to interfaith relationships and shared heritage, contributing to collective identity and pride for all.