The Akal Takhat is an impressive building that sits directly in front of the causeway leading to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India. The Akal Takhat was founded by Guru Hargobind on June 15, 1606 (now celebrated on 2 July) and was established as the place from which the spiritual and temporal concerns of the Sikh community could be acted upon.
It stood as a symbol of political bulwark against the Mughal Emperors in the 17th and 18th century. Various attacks on the Akal Takhat and Harimandir Sahib have been led in past by Ahmed Shah Abdali and Massa Rangar in the 18 century. On June 4, 1984, the Indian Army did more than just damage the outer facade of the Akal Takhat, they destroyed the sancitity of the Akal Takht with tanks and reduced it to rubble, while attempting to take out Baba Jarnail Singh Bindrenwala & men in a controversial military operation known as Operation Bluestar.
The Role of the Akal Takhat
The Akal Takhat was built a fraction lower than the Harimandir Sahib, implying the order of importance, that the search for spiritual grace was always to lead. A similar balancing of assertion and submission was built into Guru Hargobind’s daily routine, which alternatively highlighted the shrine, with its spiritual function and self-effacing architectural symbolism, and the throne platform, with its assertion of sovereignty and temporal authority. The Guru started the day with worship in the Harimandir; he would then go on a hunt in the late morning and grant audience from the Akal Takhat in the afternoon; in the evening he would return to the shrine for prayers and hymns, and at night he and his followers would return to the Akal Takht to listen to martial songs of heroic deeds.The original structure of Akal Takht was built by Guru Hargobind ji, Bhai Gurdas ji and Baba Buddha ji, with their own hands. No other person or artist was employed to build the platform. Guru ji remarked that the seat of guru would serve the panth for eternity. Guru ji raised the height of the platform to twelve feet, defying the royal edict of Jehangir that no other person except the Emperor himself can sit on a raised platform of more than three feet. Guru Hargobind would regularly sit on the raised platform, Takht, with all marks of royalty and dispence justice for all disputes of Sikhs.
It is from the Akal Takhat that Hukamnamas (edics or writs) are announced to provide guidance or clarification on any point of Sikhdoctrine or practice. It may lay under penance persons charged with violation of religious discipline or with activity prejudicial to Sikh interests or solidarity. It may place on record its appreciation of outstanding services rendered or sacrifices made by individuals espousing the cause of Sikhism or of the Sikhs. Importantly, no individual is above the Akal Takhat.
On one occasion the Sarbat Khalsa met at the Akal Takhat and decided to penalize Maharaja Ranjit singh for his misdemeanours with a certain number of lashes on his back. The Gursikh in Ranjit Singh surrendered to the discipline and presented himself at the Akal Takhat to receive chastisement. However, corporal punishment to the sovereign was converted into a heavy fine.
1984: Akal Takhat Martyrdom
Known as Ghallugaara (Great disaster), on June 6, 1984 the Indian Army stormed the Golden Temple, even bringing its main battle tanks onto the Parikarma. Untold numbers of Sikhs, both the armed contingent of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Innocent Pilgrims and visitors to the Harmandir Sahib were killed. The Akal Takhat, the supreme seat of authority for the Sikhs bore the brunt of the attack suffering severe damage. Many Sikh artifacts were burned in the destruction. Like the Martrydom of Guru Arjan which had lead Guru Har Gobind to erect the Takht the severe damage to the Takhat served to awaken a sleeping spiritual nation.
May the anniversary of the 'Attack on the Harmandir Sahib and the Akal Takht always serve to remind us of those who died in order to uphold and protect the Sikh Panth (Faith).
May the anniversary of the 'Attack on the Harmandir Sahib and the Akal Takht always serve to remind us of those who died in order to uphold and protect the Sikh Panth (Faith).
List of Artifacts at Akal Takhat
- Sri Sahibs (swords) of Guru Hargobind Sahib that represented Miri and Piri
- Sri Sahib (sword) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Sri Sahib (sword) of Baba Buddha Ji
- Sri Sahib (sword) of Bhai Jaetha Ji
- Sri Sahib Baba Karam Singh Ji Shaheed
- Sri Sahib Bhai Uday Singh Ji, who was with Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Sri Sahib Bhai Bidhi Chand Ji
- Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Gurbakash Singh Ji Shaheed
- Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Dudhara Khanda of Baba Nodh Singh Ji Shaheed
- Khadag Bhai Vachitar Singh Ji which weighed 10 Saer
- Guru Hargobinds Sahib's "Guraj" weighing 16 saer. It was given to Dharamvir Jassa Singh by Matta Sundari
- A sword like weapon belonging to Guru Hargobind Sahib Guru Hargobind Sahib's Katar
- Baba Ajit Singh's Katar
- Baba Jujhar Singh's Katar
- Guru Hargobind Sahib's kirpan
- Guru Hargobind's Paeshkabaj
- Baba Deep Singh's Paeshkabaj
- A sword like weapon of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed
- Pistol of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed
- Two arrows of Guru Gobind Singh each cxontaining one Toala of gold
- Medium sized Khanda of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Two kirpans of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Two small Khandas of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Chakar Of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Small Chakar of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Baba Deep Singh Ji's chakar for head decoration