NAURANGABAD

NAURANGABAD, village 7 km southeast of Tarn Taran (31°27`N, 74°56`E) along the Tarn TaranGoindval road, came into prominence when during the 1840`s the Gurdwara established here by Baba Bir Singh (1768-1844), reputed for his sanctity, started attracting devotees and pilgrims in hundreds every day. During the crisis that followed the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh on 15 September 1843, and the entrenchment in power of Hira Singh Dogra and his mentor, PanditJalla, Baba Bir Singh`s dera or seat at Naurarigabad, became a rallying point for protesting soldiers and political fugitives, including such persongaes as Prince Pashaura Singh, Prince Kashmira Singh and Sardar Atar Singh Sandharivalia.

Baba Bir Singh having refused to surrender the Princes and the Sardar, Hira Singh ordered a military attack on the dera. The holy man advised the inmates not to resort to arms against the attackers who were their own brothersinfaith. Despite this Hira Singh`s artillery blasted the dera on 27 Baisakh 1902 Bk/7 May 1844 killing several hundred men, including Sardar Atar Singh, Prince Kashmira Singh and the aged Baba Bir Singh. The Baba`s samddh or memorial shrine and the Gurdwara, renovated in 1960, still attracts visitors. An annual fair is held on 27 Baisakh.

References :

1. Partap Singh, Giaini, Jivan Baba Sir Singh Naurangabad. Amritsar, 1962