Virasat - e - Khalsa was conceived as a repository of the rich heritage of the Khalsa community and the history and culture of the Punjab, while also inspiring visitors with a renewed relevance of the message of

the great Gurus for the world today.

Towards the end of the fifteenth century, in the Punjab region of Northern India, Guru Nanak Dev founded a faith rooted in the core values of universalism, liberalism, and humanism. The nine Gurus who followed Him built upon and consolidated His teachings, thereby establishing Sikhism not only as a belief system but also as a way of life.

Two hundred years later, in 1699, on the occasion of Baisakhi, the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh formally instituted the Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib, establishing a social order committed to peace, equality and justice for all. Today, on the same site, stands the majestic Gurdwara Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib.

The year 1999 marked the Tercentenary of the Birth of the Khalsa. To commemorate this event, the Government of Punjab envisioned the Virasat - e - Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib.

The Museum Complex is inspired by the rich natural and built heritage of Anandpur Sahib, while also drawing heavily from Sikh and regional architecture. Counter to the tradition of domes which crown sacred Sikh sites, the roofs of the Museum are concave-shaped receptors facing the sky. Sheathed in stainless steel, they reflect the sun’s light towards the Gurdwara and the Fort.

Punjab, the fertile land of the five doabas, draws its name and identity from the mighty rivers that flow down from the Himalayas to its north. Through its long and tumultuous history, the people who have inhabited

GALLERY 1

PANJPANI

GALLERY 2

Fifteenth Century PunjabIn the fifteenth century, Punjab was under the rule of the Lodhi dynasty. Caste-ism and discrimination was rampant in society. People turned to rituals and superstition for shelter and spiritual solace.

He is the One, the Truth, the CreatorNo caste, no creed, no country dividing;In his sight all are equal.The only creator of all things

GALLERY 3

SIKHISM: A WAY OF LIFE

A mystique from an early age, Guru Nanak proclaimed the doctrine: the love of the creator and of creation are the only religion. He travelled far and wide, delivering the message of God’s love, and of freedom from false worship and blind faith.

GALLERY 4

GURU NANAKEARLY YEARS

GALLERY 5

Guru Nanak at KartarpurGuru Nanak finally settled at Kartarpur, where a new brotherhood of devotees was formed. It is here that Nanak bestowed upon Bhai Lehna the Guruship, and gave him the name of Guru Angad.

GALLERY 6

Guru Angad and Guru AmardasGuru Angad established the second Sikh centre at Khadur Sahib, where he refined the Gurmukhi script and spread the Gurbani. The next Guru, Guru Amardas dedicated his services to uplift the status of women in society. He denounced superstition and the caste system.

The fourth Guru, Guru Ramdas ordained the site for the Amrit Sarovar, which also led to the rise of the city of Amritsar. Guru Ramdas established the tradition of singing the Gurbani in ragas and made it the central expression of devotion.

GALLERY 7

GURU RAMDAS

GALLERY 8 & 9

Guru Arjan DevGuru Arjan Dev began the construction of the Darbar Sahib. He compiled compositions of all four previous Gurus and other Sufis and Hindu devotional poets into the Adi Granth, placed in the Darbar Sahib. The message of the Adi Granth, a state of harmony and righteousness, was termed as the ‘Halemi Raj’, the triumph of benevolence.

Guru Hargobind initiated the process of militarization of Sikh believers to enable to fight injustice and tyranny. The next two Gurus, Guru Har Rai and Har Krishan, dedicated their lives to introducing social reform and motivating humanitarian services.

GALLERY 10 & 11

New Directions In Sikhism

Guru Tegh Bahadur offered the Supreme Sacrifice to protect the faith of the Kashmiri Pandits from the atrocities of the Mughals. His son, Guru Gobind Singh held high the mantle of the Guruship as a saint, a warrior and a poet. He bravely defeated the chiefs of the hill kingdoms in successive battles, and also fortified Anantpur Sahib to secure it from Mughal invasions.

GALLERY 12

Martyrdom of GURU Tegh Bahadur and the Gurushipof Gobind

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh formed the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib. Amidst the congregation of believers, he chose his Panj Pyaras, Five Beloveds. The Guru wanted all Sikhs to proclaim themselves as equals by universally embracing the Five Symbols of the faith – the kaccha (drawers), the kada (bracelet), the kirpan (dagger), the kesh (hair) and the kanga (comb).

GALLERY 13

BIRTH OF KHALSA

After the formation of the Khalsa, years of struggle followed during which the Guru lost his family and his army. It was in refuge that he completed the Guru Granth Sahib. Before becoming one with the Almighty, Guru Gobind Singh declared that henceforth the Guru Granth Sahib would be the only Guru of all Sikhs.

GALLERY 14

THE ETERNAL GURU