In earlier times, the city now known as Sri Muktsar Sahib was first called Khidrana, and there was a water reservoir here known as “Khidrane Di Dhab” (the pond of Khidrana). Because this area was wild and semi-desert, there was frequent scarcity of water. The groundwater level was very deep, and even if someone tried to dig wells, the water that came out was so brackish that it was unfit for drinking. For this reason, a pond (dhab) was excavated here to collect rainwater. The owner of this pond was a man named Khidrana, who was a resident of Jalalabad in Ferozepur district. At this very place, the Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, fought his final battle against the Mughal forces — a battle remembered in history as “The Battle of Khidrana”. In the year 1705 CE, when Guru Gobind Singh Ji, while engaged in a Dharam Yudh (righteous war), left the fort of Sri Anandpur Sahib, he fought his way through various regions and eventually moved towards the land of Malwa. Upon reaching Kotkapura, Guru Ji requested Chaudhri Kapura for the use of his fort. However, out of fear of the Mughal authorities, Chaudhri Kapura refused. So, Guru Ji, along with his Sikh soldiers, proceeded towards Khidrana and reached Khidrane Di Dhab. Guru Ji had barely arrived at Khidrana when Mughal forces under the command of the Subedar of Sirhind also reached there. Guru Ji and forty of his great Sikh warriors — who had once written a “bedava” (letter of disavowal) and left the Guru at Anandpur — now rejoined him and took positions at Khidrane Di Dhab to face the enemy. At that time, Khidrane Di Dhab had dried up, and there were thick bushes all around it. The Singhs used these bushes as cover and swooped down upon the advancing Mughal army like hawks. This battle took place on 21 Vaisakh, Samvat 1762 Bikrami. Witnessing the unmatched bravery of the Sikh soldiers, the Mughal troops eventually fled from the battlefield. In this battle, many Mughal soldiers were killed, and several of Guru Ji’s Singhs also attained martyrdom. At this very spot, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on the plea of Bhai Maha Singh — who, along with his companions, had earlier given a bedava at Anandpur — tore up that letter and spiritually freed (liberated) these Singhs from their earlier renunciation. Guru Ji took Bhai Maha Singh in his lap and tore the bedava, thus granting them forgiveness and liberation. Bhai Maha Singh Ji attained martyrdom at this very place. In this battle, Mai Bhago also displayed extraordinary valor and was wounded. Guru Ji personally dressed her wounds, and once she recovered, she was formally included in the Khalsa army. Historical Gurdwaras Gurdwara Tutti Gandi Sahib At this place, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji took Bhai Maha Singh into his lap, tore up the bedava that Bhai Maha Singh and his companions had given at Anandpur, and restored their broken bond with the Guru. Because the “broken knot” (gand) was re-tied here, this shrine came to be known as Gurdwara Tutti Gandi Sahib (The Gurdwara of the Re-tied Knot). Gurdwara Tambu Sahib The place where the Sikhs had pitched their tents at the time of the Battle of Khidrana is now marked by Gurdwara Tambu Sahib (The Gurdwara of the Tents). Gurdwara Mai Bhago Ji In memory of the great Sikh woman warrior, Mai Bhago Ji — who displayed heroic feats in the Battle of Khidrana — a gurdwara has been built adjacent to Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, known as Gurdwara Mai Bhago Ji. Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib At this place, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, with the help of the Sikhs of the area, performed the final rites of the forty Liberated Ones (Chali Muktay) who were martyred in the battle against the Mughals. Here now stands Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib. Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib At this spot there once stood a high mound (tibbi). From this elevated point, Guru Sahib fought the battle against the Mughals and, seated here, fired arrows at the Mughal army. Today, Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib stands at this historic location. Gurdwara Rakabsar Sahib This is the place where one of the stirrups (rakab) of the horse of the Tenth Master broke. When Guru Sahib descended from Tibbi Sahib and was about to ride towards the battlefield of Khidrana, the stirrup broke as he placed his foot upon it. This site is now known as Gurdwara Rakabsar Sahib. Gurdwara Datan Sar Sahib In 1706 CE, when Guru Ji came from Khidrana to Tibbi Sahib, he used to clean his teeth with a datan (neem twig) in the morning at this place. This spot is located about 4 kilometers from Gurdwara Tutti Gandi Sahib, and is now marked by Gurdwara Datan Sar Sahib. Gurdwara Tarn Taran Dukh Nivaran Sahib Gurdwara Tarn Taran Dukh Nivaran is situated on the Bathinda Road, where devotees come every Sunday to bathe in the sarovar and seek spiritual solace. On this sacred land of the Forty Liberated Ones, on the auspicious day of Maghi, hundreds of thousands of devotees from far and wide come and bathe in the holy sarovar here, considering it a great blessing and a means of spiritual fulfillment.
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