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Gurdwara Chhan Baba Kuma Maski Sahib

Location - Chak Dhera, Ropar, Punjab, India


Associated with - Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zoravar Singh Ji, Mata Gujri Ji


Sikh Artifacts - unknown


Sarovar - None


Sarai - None


Under the pressure of a prolonged siege with food and ammunition exhausted, Guru Gobind Singh and 400 Sikhs left Sri Anandpur Sahib on the bitter cold and rainy night of December 1704.

The Mughals and Ajmer Chand's league of Rajput Hill Chieftains had offered Guru Sahib a safe passage to leave Anandpur Sahib on an oath sworn on the Quran, an oath that had been signed by emperor Aurangzeb, as well as, an oath sworn on the Gita and the cow (which hindus consider sacred) by the Rajput Chieftains.

However, their respective 'Holy' oaths proved to be meaningless as they lost little time betraying their promises to Guru Sahib, almost as soon as the Sikhs had left the safety of their impregnable fortress.

Separation of the Family (Parivar Vichora)

After vacating Gurdwara Qila Anandgarh Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh rested for the night and stopped here for morning prayers with Guru Sahib's family and the Sikhs of Anandpur Sahib.

In the early hours of the morning at the River Sirsa, Guru Gobind Singh and his Sikhs were attacked by the mughal army under the command of Wazir Khan, breaking their oath of safe conduct.

After invoking the blessings of the Almighty, Guru Gobind Singh divided his forces into two columns. While part of the force was to engage their attackers, the other force was ordered to get across the river. In the confusion, which followed the attack in the cold and darkness, many Sikhs became Shaheed (martyrs). A small group of courageous Singhs fought the combined might of the mughal and rajput armies and kept them back while the rest of the Sikhs, Guru Sahib and Guru Sahib's family crossed the river in the heat of the battle.

Many Sikhs perished in crossing the cold river and were swept away by the current of the river. During the confusion in crossing the River Sirsa, Guru Sahib was separated from his family. Guru Ji, his two eldest sons and only 40 out of 400 Sikhs were able to cross the river and were united on the other side.

It was here that Mata Gujri with the two youngest Sahibzadas (the sons of the Guru) were separated from the Guru's party. It was here that Guru Sahib's wife and other Sikhs were also separated from the Guru's party. While Guru Sahib headed towards Chamkaur Sahib, Mata Gujri and Guru Sahib's youngest sons were guided by their traitorous hindu cook, Gangu, reaching the 'safety' of his ancesteral village Saheri near Morinda. Guru Sahib's wife and other Sikhs headed towards Delhi.

Gurdwara Sri Parivar Vichora Sahib is situated near the bank of the river Sirsa and is built on the spot where the battle occurred and the Gurus family were separated. Located on a hill top, one has to climb 100 odd steps to reach this holy spot, which commands a panaromic view of the surrounding valley. This magnificent Gurdwara Sri Parivar Vichora Sahib, has been built by the grateful Sikhs of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Gurdwara Chhan Baba Kuma Maski Sahib

After crossing Sirsa, Mata Gujri ji and youngest Sahibzaade spent night in the hut of Kuma Maski (boatman). Mata ji had one mule carrying some important articles and ornaments. The Sikh accompanying them became separated due to the floods and bad weather during the darkness at night. A man called Kuma Maski, also known as Keema Mallah, used to be a hindu and was known by the name Karma Jheevar.

Gurdwara Sri Pilkan Sahib

Kuma Maski was forcibly converted as muslim. But still used to worship as per hindu rituals. Mata Gujri stayed in his hut for two days. A Brahmin lady by the name of Laxhhmi looked after them, serving food and providing shelter. During that time Gangu Brahmin met them. Gangu used to serve in the Guru's kitchen as a cook.

Gurdwara Sri Pilkan Sahib marks the site nearby where Chhan Baba Kuma Maski would tie his bairhi (boat).

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