Gurudwara Tham Sahib, located in Kartarpur town of Jalandhar district, holds immense historical and spiritual significance in Sikh history. commemorates the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj. In 1650 Bikrami (1593 CE), Emperor Akbar, impressed by the Guru’s wisdom and humility, bestowed the land of Kartarpur upon him. Instead of laying a traditional foundation stone, Guru Arjan Dev Ji planted a sandalwood pillar in 1594 CE and proclaimed it to be the “Thamm of the Sorrowful” (Dukhan Da Thamm), signifying a spiritual support for anyone burdened by pain, suffering or despair. This act marked the founding of Kartarpur as a center of faith, compassion and community. A Diwan Hall was built around the pillar for the Sangat to gather for prayer, meditation and spiritual discourses. For 162 years, from 1651 to 1813 Bikrami, the sacred thamm stood as a beacon of solace, visited and revered by devotees across generations.

Tragically, in 1813 Bikrami (1756 CE), during a period of political instability, Nasar Ali, the tyrannical governor of Jalandhar, launched an attack on Kartarpur. In an act of desecration, he ordered the burning of the holy thamm and other sacred relics of the Gurudwara. This grave insult to Sikh sentiments stirred deep outrage. Baba Vadbhag Singh Ji of Una, upon advice from the rebel leader Adina Beg, appealed to the Khalsa Panth to uphold the sanctity of Sikh heritage. The call to defend the honor of the Guru’s legacy was answered swiftly.

In 1814 Bikrami, the Khalsa launched a decisive and righteous assault on Jalandhar. A fierce battle followed in which the Turk forces were overwhelmed. Nasar Ali attempted to escape but was captured by the brave Sikh warrior Khiala Singh and brought before the Panth. In a rare act of historical justice, it was decreed that since Nasar Ali had burned the sacred pillar, he too would be punished by fire. He was executed accordingly and the honor of Kartarpur was avenged.

Following this event, during the rise of Sikh sovereignty, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, deeply respectful of the site’s sanctity, ordered the construction of a magnificent seven-storey building at the place where the original pillar once stood. This grand structure, built from the royal treasury, was named Gurudwara Thamm Sahib, to forever preserve the memory of Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s founding gesture and the spiritual refuge it symbolized.

Today, Gurudwara Thamm Sahib stands as a revered center of devotion, remembrance and resilience. It is administered by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar and continues to draw pilgrims who come to connect with the divine spirit of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the unwavering strength of Sikh heritage.