Guru Ki Maseet

Guru Ki Maseet
Photograph of the Guru Ki Maseet dating to 1933
Religion
Affiliation	Islam Sikhism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Renovated
Governing body	Local Muslims (original) Tarna Dal (current)
Location
Location	Sri Hargobindpur, Gurdaspur, Punjab, India
Architecture
Style	Indian
Creator	Guru Hargobind
Completed	17th century
Designated as NHL	UNESCO, UNDP-UNV

Guru ki Maseet, also known as Guru's Mosque, is a historical mosque (Punjabi: Masīta) that was constructed by sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib at request of local Muslims of Sri Hargobindpur.

Restoration work began in 2010 by local Sikhs to renovate the structure.

Background

In December, 1634 Guru Hargobind Sahib fought a fierce battle against Mughal forces near the River Beas. Although heavily outnumbered, the Guru was victorious. Guru Sahib decided to stay there for a while, and soon a settlement grew up at this location. The settlement expanded into a town which became known as Sri Hargobindpur (-pur, being a suffix for “place of”).

As the conflict with the Mughals was intensifying the town’s defences were fortified. In fact, these fortifications were so solid that the original city walls and many buildings within are still visible today throughout Sri Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur district, Punjab.

Residents of all faiths flocked to the Guru and perceived themselves as heirs to the sixth Guru’s desire to found a secure and secular home on the banks of the Beas. The Sikhs built themselves a Gurdwara (Sikh temple) but the local Muslims did not have the capacity to build themselves a place of worship due to their smaller numbers. They came to the Guru and asked him for help.

The wise Guru was as respectful of Muslim faqirs as he was with Hindu sadhus and his Sikh followers; he viewed people of the differing religions of India with one benevolent gaze. The Guru ordered his Sikhs to start construction of a “Masjid” (mosque). The Masjid was duly completed and duly handed over to the Muslims.

Aftermath

This mosque has existed in this location since the period of the sixth Guru. With the turmoil of the partitioning of India in 1947 and the mass movement of people, the mosque fell into a state of neglect and disrepair.

In time the care of the Masjid fell into the hands of a group a Nihang Singhs who installed the Sikh scripture Shri Guru Granth Sahib in the one-time Masjid. For many years, the mosque was maintained by these Nihangs. In February 8th, 2003 a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) was signed by Baba Kirtan Singh the chief of the Nihangs, the Sikh caretakers of the mosque, and the Punjab Waqf Board. It was Baba Kirtan Singh’s desire that Muslims again perform their prayers at the mosque which had been gifted to them by Guru Hargobind.

As per the wishes of Baba Kirtan Singh, five saplings were planted in the names of five Sikh Gurus. Dr Mohammad Rizwanul Haque, Punjab Waqf Board Administrator, described the MoU as an international event which would pave the way for strengthening communal harmony in the country.