<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>AK&#256L TAKHT</TITLE>਍㰀猀琀礀氀攀 琀礀瀀攀㴀∀琀攀砀琀⼀挀猀猀∀㸀ഀഀ
.BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;}਍⸀䌀㄀笀琀攀砀琀ⴀ愀氀椀最渀㨀 樀甀猀琀椀昀礀㬀挀漀氀漀爀㨀 ⌀　　㘀㘀䌀䌀㬀䘀伀一吀ⴀ猀椀稀攀㨀 匀䴀䄀䰀䰀㬀䘀伀一吀ⴀ昀愀洀椀氀礀㨀 吀愀栀漀洀愀㬀紀ഀഀ
.BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;}਍⸀䌀伀一吀笀琀攀砀琀ⴀ愀氀椀最渀㨀 爀椀最栀琀㬀挀漀氀漀爀㨀 ⌀䘀䘀　　　　㬀䘀伀一吀ⴀ猀椀稀攀㨀 匀䴀䄀䰀䰀㬀䘀伀一吀ⴀ昀愀洀椀氀礀㨀 吀愀栀漀洀愀㬀紀ഀഀ
</style><META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="AKĀL">਍㰀䴀䔀吀䄀 栀琀琀瀀ⴀ攀焀甀椀瘀㴀∀挀漀渀琀攀渀琀ⴀ琀礀瀀攀∀ 挀漀渀琀攀渀琀㴀∀琀攀砀琀⼀栀琀洀氀㬀 挀栀愀爀猀攀琀㴀唀吀䘀ⴀ㠀∀㸀㰀⼀䠀䔀䄀䐀㸀ഀഀ
<BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false">਍㰀䘀伀一吀 䄀䰀䤀䜀一㴀∀䨀唀匀吀䤀䘀夀∀ 䘀䄀䌀䔀㴀∀吀愀栀漀洀愀∀㸀ഀഀ
<p class="C1">&#65279AK&#256L TA<u>KH</u>T is the primary seat of Sikh religious authority and central altar for Sikh political assembly. Through <i>hukamn&#257m&#257s</i>, edicts or writs, it may issue decretals providing guidance or clarification on any point of Sikh doctrine or practice referred to it, may lay under penance personages charged with violation of religious discipline or with activity prejudicial to Sikh interests or solidarity and may place on record its appreciation of outstanding services rendered or sacrifices made by individuals espousing the case of Sikhism or of the Sikhs. The edifice stands in the Darb&#257r S&#257hib precincts in Amritsar facing Harimandar, now famous as the Golden Temple. The word <i>ak&#257l</i>, a negative of <i>k&#257l</i> (time), is the equivalent of timeless, beyond time, everlasting, and ta<u>kh</u>t, in Persian, that of royal throne or chair of state. Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t would thus mean "timeless or everlasting throne" or "throne of the Timeless One, i. e. God. " In the Sikh system, God is postulated as Formless (Nira&#7749k&#257r), yet to proclaim His sovereignty over His creation, He is sometimes referred to as <i>sult&#257n, p&#257ts&#257h, s&#257ch&#257 s&#257h</i>, or the True King ; His seat is referred to as <i>sachch&#257 ta<u>kh</u>t</i>, the True Throne, sitting on which He dispenses <i>sachch&#257 ni&#257o</i>, true justice (GG, 84, 1087). It also became common for Sikhs, at least by the time of Gur&#363 Arjan (1563-1606), to refer to the Gur&#363 as <i>sachch&#257 patsh&#257h</i> and to his <i>gadd&#299</i> or spiritual seat as ta<u>kh</u>t and the congregation he led as <i>darb&#257r</i> or court. Panegyrizing the Gur&#363s, the bards Balva&#7751&#7693, Nalya and Mathur&#257, in their verses included in the Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib, use the word ta<u>kh</u>t in this very sense. Formally to proclaim Sikh faith's common concern for the spiritual and the worldly, synthesis of <i>m&#299r&#299</i> and <i>p&#299r&#299</i>, Gur&#363 Hargobind (1595-1644), son and successor of Gur&#363 Arjan, adopted royal style. For the ceremonies of succession, he had a platform constructed opposite the Harimandar, naming it Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t. According to <i>Gurbil&#257s Chhev&#299&#7749 P&#257tsh&#257h&#299</i>, a detailed versified and, going by the year of composition recorded in the text/colophon, the oldest account of Gur&#363 Hargobind's life, the structure was raised on H&#257&#7771 <i>vad&#299</i> 5, 1663 Bk/15 June 1606. The Gur&#363 laid the cornerstone and Bh&#257&#299 Bu&#7693&#7693h&#257 and Bh&#257&#299 Gurd&#257s completed the construction, no third person being allowed to lend a helping hand. Gur&#363 Hargobind used the ta<u>kh</u>t for the accession ceremonies which, according to the source quoted, took place on 26 H&#257&#7771 <i>sud&#299</i> 10, 1663 Bk/24 June 1606. From here he conducted the secular affairs of the community. From here he is said to have issued the first <i>hukamn&#257m&#257</i> (<i>q. v. </i>) to far-flung <i>sa&#7749gats</i> or Sikh centres announcing the creation of Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t and asking them to include in their offerings thenceforth gifts of weapons and horses. Bh&#257&#299 Gurd&#257s was named officiant in charge of the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t. A building subsequently raised over the Ta<u>kh</u>t was called Ak&#257l Bu&#7749g&#257 (house) so that the Ta<u>kh</u>t is now officially known as Ta<u>kh</u>t Sr&#299 Ak&#257l Bu&#7749g&#257 although its popular name Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t is more in common use.</p>਍㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀吀栀攀 匀椀欀栀猀 爀攀挀漀最渀椀稀攀 昀漀甀爀 漀琀栀攀爀 栀漀氀礀 瀀氀愀挀攀猀 愀猀 㰀椀㸀琀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀猀㰀⼀椀㸀Ⰰ 渀愀洀攀氀礀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 匀爀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 䬀攀猀最愀☀⌀㜀㜀㜀㄀栀 匀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀栀椀戀Ⰰ 䄀渀愀渀搀瀀甀爀㬀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 匀爀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 䠀愀爀椀洀愀渀搀愀爀 匀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀栀椀戀Ⰰ 倀愀☀⌀㜀㜀㠀㤀渀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀㬀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 匀愀挀栀欀栀愀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀☀⌀㜀㘀㤀㌀ 䠀愀稀☀⌀㌀㘀㌀爀 匀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀栀椀戀Ⰰ 䄀戀挀栀愀氀渀愀最愀爀Ⰰ 一☀⌀㈀㔀㜀渀搀攀☀⌀㜀㘀㤀㌀㬀 愀渀搀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 匀爀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 䐀愀洀搀愀洀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 匀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀栀椀戀Ⰰ 吀愀氀瘀愀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀☀⌀㜀㘀㤀㌀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 匀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀戀漀⸀ 䄀氀氀 昀漀甀爀 愀爀攀 挀漀渀渀攀挀琀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 氀椀昀攀 漀昀 䜀甀爀☀⌀㌀㘀㌀ 䜀漀戀椀渀搀 匀椀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最栀 ⠀㄀㘀㘀㘀ⴀ㄀㜀　㠀⤀⸀ 䄀氀氀 昀椀瘀攀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀猀 愀爀攀 攀焀甀愀氀氀礀 瘀攀渀攀爀愀琀攀搀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 琀栀攀 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 愀琀 䄀洀爀椀琀猀愀爀 攀渀樀漀礀猀 愀 猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀 猀琀愀琀甀猀⸀ 䠀椀猀琀漀爀椀挀愀氀氀礀Ⰰ 琀栀椀猀 椀猀 琀栀攀 漀氀搀攀猀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 㰀椀㸀琀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀猀㰀⼀椀㸀 愀渀搀 愀氀漀渀最 眀椀琀栀 䠀愀爀椀洀愀渀搀愀爀Ⰰ 愀挀爀漀猀猀 琀栀攀 礀愀爀搀Ⰰ 挀漀渀猀琀椀琀甀琀攀猀 琀栀攀 挀愀瀀椀琀愀氀 漀昀 匀椀欀栀椀猀洀⸀ 䴀攀攀琀椀渀最猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 匀愀爀戀愀琀琀 㰀甀㸀䬀栀㰀⼀甀㸀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀猀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 漀爀 最攀渀攀爀愀氀 愀猀猀攀洀戀氀礀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀愀琀椀瘀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 攀渀琀椀爀攀 倀愀渀琀栀 愀爀攀 琀爀愀搀椀琀椀漀渀愀氀氀礀 猀甀洀洀漀渀攀搀 愀琀 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 愀渀搀 椀琀 椀猀 漀渀氀礀 琀栀攀爀攀 琀栀愀琀 挀愀猀攀猀 挀漀渀渀攀挀琀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 猀攀爀椀漀甀猀 爀攀氀椀最椀漀甀猀 漀昀昀攀渀挀攀猀 挀漀洀洀椀琀琀攀搀 戀礀 瀀爀漀洀椀渀攀渀琀 匀椀欀栀猀 愀爀攀 栀攀愀爀搀 愀渀搀 搀攀挀椀搀攀搀⸀ 㰀椀㸀䠀甀欀愀洀渀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀洀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀猀㰀⼀椀㸀 漀爀 搀攀挀爀攀攀猀 椀猀猀甀攀搀 戀礀 琀栀攀 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 愀爀攀 甀渀椀瘀攀爀猀愀氀氀礀 愀瀀瀀氀椀挀愀戀氀攀 琀漀 愀氀氀 匀椀欀栀猀 愀渀搀 愀氀氀 椀渀猀琀椀琀甀琀椀漀渀猀⸀㰀⼀瀀㸀ഀഀ
<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After Gur&#363 Hargobind's migration to K&#299ratpur early in 1635, the shrines at Amritsar, including the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t, fell into the hands of the descendants of Prith&#299 Chand, elder brother of Gur&#363 Arjan, his grandson, Harij&#299 (d. 1696), remaining in charge for over fifty-five years. Soon after the creation of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 in March 1699, Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh sent Bh&#257&#299 Man&#299 Si&#7749gh to Amritsar to assume control of the Harimandar and the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t and manage these on behalf of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Panth. During the troublous period following the martyrdom of Band&#257 Si&#7749gh in 1716, the sacred <i>sarovar</i>, or holy tank, at Amritsar, the Harimandar and the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t continued to be a source of inspiration and spiritual rejuvenation for the Sikhs. Whenever circumstances permitted, and usually on Bais&#257kh&#299 and D&#299v&#257l&#299, their scattered bands defying all hazards converged upon Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t to hold Sarbatt <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 assemblies and discuss matters of policy and strategy. For instance, through a <i>gurmat&#257</i> (Gur&#363's counsel) the <i>sarbatt <u>kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> at the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t resolved on 14 October 1745 to reorganize their scattered fighting force into 25, <i>jath&#257s</i> or bands of about 100 warriors each. By another <i>gurmat&#257</i> on Bais&#257kh&#299, 29 March 1748, the <i>sarbatt <u>kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> meeting, again, at Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t, formed the Dal <u>kh</u>&#257ls&#257 or the army of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 consisting of 11 <i>misls</i> or divisions. On D&#299v&#257l&#299, 7 November 1760, the <i>sarbatt <u>kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> resolved to attack and occupy Lahore (till then Sikhs had not occupied any territory, their only possession being the small fortress of R&#257m Rau&#7751&#299 or R&#257mga&#7771h they had built at Amritsar in 1746). Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t was again the venue of the <i>sarbatt <u>kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> on Bais&#257kh&#299 day, 10 April 1763, when by a <i>gurmat&#257</i> it was decided to go out to the help of a Br&#257hma&#7751 who had brought the complaint that his wife had been forcibly abducted by the Af<u>gh</u>&#257n chief of Kas&#363r.</p>਍㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀䔀瘀攀渀 愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 倀甀渀樀愀戀 栀愀搀 戀攀攀渀 瀀愀爀挀攀氀氀攀搀 漀甀琀 椀渀琀漀 猀攀瘀攀爀愀氀 匀椀欀栀 椀渀搀攀瀀攀渀搀攀渀挀椀攀猀 漀爀 㰀椀㸀 洀椀猀氀猀 㰀⼀椀㸀Ⰰ 䄀洀爀椀琀猀愀爀 爀攀洀愀椀渀攀搀 琀栀攀 挀漀洀洀漀渀 挀愀瀀椀琀愀氀 眀栀攀爀攀 愀氀氀 㰀椀㸀猀愀爀搀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀爀猀㰀⼀椀㸀 漀爀 挀栀椀攀昀猀 栀愀搀 戀甀椀氀琀 琀栀攀椀爀 㰀椀㸀 戀甀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最☀⌀㈀㔀㜀猀 㰀⼀椀㸀 愀渀搀 猀琀愀琀椀漀渀攀搀 琀栀攀椀爀 㰀椀㸀 瘀愀欀椀氀猀 㰀⼀椀㸀 漀爀 愀最攀渀琀猀⸀ 䈀甀琀 愀猀 琀栀攀 渀攀攀搀 昀漀爀 愀 挀漀洀洀漀渀 猀琀爀愀琀攀最礀 愀渀搀 愀挀琀椀漀渀 搀攀挀爀攀愀猀攀搀 愀渀搀 爀椀瘀愀氀爀椀攀猀 愀洀漀渀最 琀栀攀 㰀椀㸀 洀椀猀氀 㰀⼀椀㸀 挀栀椀攀昀猀 爀愀椀猀攀搀 琀栀攀椀爀 栀攀愀搀Ⰰ 㰀椀㸀 猀愀爀戀愀琀琀 㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀猀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 㰀⼀椀㸀 愀渀搀 挀漀爀爀攀猀瀀漀渀搀椀渀最氀礀 琀栀攀 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 氀漀猀琀 琀栀攀椀爀 瀀漀氀椀琀椀挀愀氀 瀀爀攀ⴀ攀洀椀渀攀渀挀攀⸀ 䴀愀栀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀爀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀樀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 刀愀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀樀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀琀 匀椀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最栀 昀攀氀琀 氀椀琀琀氀攀 渀攀攀搀 昀漀爀 㰀椀㸀猀愀爀戀愀琀琀 㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀猀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀㰀⼀椀㸀 愀猀猀攀洀戀氀椀攀猀 愀昀琀攀爀 ㄀㠀　㔀 眀栀攀渀 椀琀 眀愀猀 猀甀洀洀漀渀攀搀 琀漀 挀漀渀猀椀搀攀爀 琀栀攀 焀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀 眀栀攀琀栀攀爀 漀爀 渀漀琀 琀栀攀 昀甀最椀琀椀瘀攀 䴀愀爀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀☀⌀㜀㜀㠀㤀栀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 瀀爀椀渀挀攀 䨀愀猀瘀愀渀琀 刀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀漀 䠀漀氀欀愀爀 戀攀 愀猀猀椀猀琀攀搀 愀最愀椀渀猀琀 琀栀攀 䈀爀椀琀椀猀栀⸀ 吀栀攀 爀攀氀椀最椀漀甀猀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀Ⰰ 栀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 爀攀洀愀椀渀攀搀 椀渀琀愀挀琀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 匀琀愀琀攀 渀攀瘀攀爀 挀栀愀氀氀攀渀最攀搀 椀琀 椀渀 愀渀礀 洀愀渀渀攀爀⸀ 吀栀攀爀攀 愀爀攀 椀渀 昀愀挀琀 椀渀猀琀愀渀挀攀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 匀琀愀琀攀 猀栀漀眀椀渀最 猀甀戀猀攀爀瘀椀攀渀挀攀 愀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 挀愀猀攀 漀昀 䴀愀栀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀爀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀樀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 刀愀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀樀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀琀 匀椀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最栀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀 爀攀猀瀀漀渀搀椀渀最 琀漀 琀栀攀 猀甀洀洀漀渀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 愀渀搀 愀挀挀攀瀀琀椀渀最 昀漀爀 愀 洀漀爀愀氀 洀椀猀搀攀洀攀愀渀漀甀爀 瀀攀渀愀氀琀礀 椀洀瀀漀猀攀搀 戀礀 椀琀猀 挀甀猀琀漀搀椀愀渀Ⰰ 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 倀栀☀⌀㌀㘀㌀氀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 匀椀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最栀 眀栀漀 栀愀搀 昀漀甀最栀琀 愀猀 愀 氀漀礀愀氀 猀漀氀搀椀攀爀 椀渀 猀攀瘀攀爀愀氀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䴀愀栀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀爀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀樀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀✀猀 洀椀氀椀琀愀爀礀 挀愀洀瀀愀椀最渀猀⸀ 䤀渀 猀瀀椀琀攀 漀昀 椀琀猀 猀甀瀀爀攀洀愀挀礀 椀渀 琀栀攀 洀愀琀琀攀爀 漀昀 攀渀昀漀爀挀椀渀最 爀攀氀椀最椀漀甀猀 搀椀猀挀椀瀀氀椀渀攀Ⰰ 䄀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 搀椀猀挀栀愀爀最攀猀 渀漀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 搀椀猀瀀攀渀猀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 䤀琀 爀攀洀椀琀猀 渀漀 猀椀渀猀Ⰰ 渀漀爀 搀漀攀猀 椀琀 椀渀瘀漀欀攀 䜀漀搀✀猀 眀爀愀琀栀 甀瀀漀渀 愀渀礀漀渀攀⸀㰀⼀瀀㸀ഀഀ
<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On several occasions during the eighteenth century, Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t shared with the Harimandar desecration and destruction at the hands of Mu<u>gh</u>al satraps and Af<u>gh</u>&#257n invaders. Ahmad Sh&#257h Durr&#257n&#299, who had razed the Harimandar in 1762, again attacked Amritsar in December 1764. On this occasion a small band of 30 Sikhs under their leader, Niha&#7749g Gurba<u>kh</u>sh Si&#7749gh stationed there to serve and protect the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t, came out to dare the invading horde and fell fighting to the last man. Ahmad Sh&#257h had the Ak&#257l Bu&#7749g&#257 completely demolished. Sikhs, however, continued to hold the <i>sarbatt <u>kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> in front of the ruins and decided at one such gathering on Bais&#257kh&#299, 10 April 1765, to rebuild the Ak&#257l Bu&#7749g&#257 as well as the Harimandar. Funds for this purpose had already been set apart from the pillage of Sirhind in January 1764. The work was entrusted to Bh&#257&#299 Des R&#257j, who was also furnished with Gur&#363 k&#299 Mohar or the Gur&#363's seal to enable him to raise more funds. The construction of the ground floor of the Ak&#257l Bu&#7749g&#257 was completed by 1774. The rest of the five-storeyed domed edifice was completed during the reign of Mah&#257r&#257j&#257 Ra&#7751j&#299t Si&#7749gh. The gilded dome atop the building was built by Har&#299 Si&#7749gh Nalv&#257 at his own expense. The facade of the first four storeys including the basement (originally ground floor but rendered partly below ground level because of the raising of the level of the circumambulatory terrace in front) had a semi-circular orientation. The ground floor was a large hall with an attached pillared marble portico. The facades of the next two floors had projected eaves supported on decorative brackets. The façade of the third floor, a large hall with galleries on the sides, had cusped arched openings, nine in number. The exterior of the fourth floor, covering the central hall of the lower floor, was decorated with projected ornamental eaves and a domed kiosk at each corner. The Gur&#363 Granth S&#257hib was seated on the first floor, where the <i>jathed&#257r</i> of the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t also took his seat. The second floor was used for important meetings and also for <i>amrit prach&#257r</i>, administration of the initiation of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257. The hall on the third floor was used especially for the meetings of the Shiroma&#7751&#299 Gurdw&#257r&#257 Parbandhak Committee until a separate office block, called Tej&#257 Si&#7749gh Samund&#257ri Hall, was constructed for the purpose during the 1930's.</p>਍㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀吀栀攀 戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀 愀渀搀 猀愀挀爀攀搀 攀搀椀昀椀挀攀 眀愀猀 搀攀猀琀爀漀礀攀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀 愀爀洀礀 愀挀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 挀愀氀氀攀搀 伀瀀攀爀愀琀椀漀渀 䈀氀甀攀 匀琀愀爀Ⰰ 椀渀 攀愀爀氀礀 䨀甀渀攀 ㄀㤀㠀㐀⸀ 吀栀攀 䜀漀瘀攀爀渀洀攀渀琀 漀昀 䤀渀搀椀愀 最漀琀 琀栀攀 戀甀椀氀搀椀渀最 爀攀挀漀渀猀琀爀甀挀琀攀搀 椀渀 漀爀搀攀爀 琀漀 愀猀猀甀愀最攀 琀栀攀 椀渀樀甀爀攀搀 昀攀攀氀椀渀最猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 匀椀欀栀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 琀栀椀猀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀 愀挀挀攀瀀琀愀戀氀攀 琀漀 琀栀攀洀⸀ 吀栀攀 爀攀挀漀渀猀琀爀甀挀琀攀搀 戀甀椀氀搀椀渀最 眀愀猀 搀攀洀漀氀椀猀栀攀搀 椀渀 攀愀爀氀礀 ㄀㤀㠀㘀 琀漀 戀攀 爀攀瀀氀愀挀攀搀 戀礀 漀渀攀 爀愀椀猀攀搀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 㰀椀㸀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀爀 猀攀瘀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀㰀⼀椀㸀Ⰰ 瘀漀氀甀渀琀愀爀礀 昀爀攀攀 猀攀爀瘀椀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 倀愀渀琀栀 愀渀搀 戀礀 洀漀渀攀礀 愀挀挀爀甀椀渀最 昀爀漀洀 瘀漀氀甀渀琀愀爀礀 搀漀渀愀琀椀漀渀猀⸀㰀⼀瀀㸀ഀഀ
<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After the death of Gur&#363 Gobind Si&#7749gh with whom ceased the line of living Gur&#363s, <i>hukamn&#257m&#257s</i> were issued in the name of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Panth from the different ta<u>kh</u>ts, especially Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t at Amritsar. Any Sikh transgressing the religious code could be summoned, asked to explain his conduct and punished. Disobedience amounted to social ostracism of an individual or the group concerned. Mah&#257r&#257j&#257 Ra&#7751j&#299t Si&#7749gh, 19th  century ruler of the Punjab, was summoned by Ak&#257l&#299 Ph&#363l&#257 Si&#7749gh, the then <i>jathed&#257r</i> of Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t, for violating established norms of Sikh behaviour and laid under expiation. Among instances from recent history a striking one is that of Tej&#257 Si&#7749gh of Bhasau&#7771 who was censured for the liberties he was taking with the Sikh canon. A <i>hukamn&#257m&#257</i> issued from the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t on 26 S&#257va&#7751 1985 Bk/9 August 1928 read:</p>਍㰀戀氀漀挀欀焀甀漀琀攀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀吀栀攀 倀愀挀栀 㰀甀㸀䬀栀㰀⼀甀㸀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀猀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 䐀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀眀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀渀 ⠀倀愀挀栀 䬀栀愀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀☀⌀㜀㘀㤀㌀⤀Ⰰ 䈀栀愀猀愀甀☀⌀㜀㜀㜀㄀Ⰰ 栀愀猀 瀀甀戀氀椀猀栀攀搀 戀漀漀欀猀 挀愀氀氀攀搀 䜀甀爀洀甀欀栀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 挀漀甀爀猀攀猀 椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀 琀栀攀 㰀椀㸀戀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 㰀⼀椀㸀漀昀 匀爀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 䜀甀爀☀⌀㌀㘀㌀ 䜀爀愀渀琀栀 匀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀栀椀戀 栀愀猀 戀攀攀渀 最愀爀戀氀攀搀 愀渀搀 椀琀猀 漀爀搀攀爀 挀栀愀渀最攀搀⸀㰀⼀瀀㸀ഀഀ
<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	Changes have been made in <i>gurmantra</i>, the <i>ard&#257s</i> and the ceremonies for administering <i>amrit</i>. These are anti-Sikh proceedings. Hence B&#257b&#363 Tej&#257 Si&#7749gh and B&#299b&#299 Nirañjan Kaur [his wife] are hereby excommunicated from the Panth. Other members of the Pañch <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n are debarred from having <i>ard&#257s</i> offered on their behalf at Sr&#299 Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t S&#257hib or at any other Gurdw&#257r&#257. No Sikh should purchase Gurmukh&#299 courses published by the Pañch <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n, nor keep them in his possession. The Pañch <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n or whoever else has copies of these should send them to Sr&#299 Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t S&#257hib.</p>਍㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀㰀⼀戀氀漀挀欀焀甀漀琀攀㸀㰀⼀瀀㸀ഀഀ
<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An example of an individual penalized for disobeying the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t edict was that of Bh&#257&#299 Sant&#257 Si&#7749gh, the Niha&#7749g, who for the charge brought against him was excommunicated from the Panth (<i>Hukamn&#257m&#257</i>, 8 S&#257van 515 N&#257nak Sh&#257h&#299/22 July 1984). <i>Hukamn&#257m&#257s</i> have also been issued to settle points of religious and political disputation; also for commending the services to the Panth of individuals and for adding passages to Sikh <i>ard&#257s</i>, the daily prayer of supplication, as a  particular historical situation might demand. On 26 Je&#7789h 1984 Bk/8 June 1927, the Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t eulogized in a <i>hukamn&#257m&#257</i> Bh&#257&#299 S&#257hib Sard&#257r Kha&#7771ak Si&#7749gh for his qualities of determination and steadfastness and for his sacrifices in the cause of the Panth; likewise, on 30 Bh&#257do&#7749 1988 Bk/15 September 1931, Bh&#257&#299 S&#257hib Ra&#7751dh&#299r Si&#7749gh was honoured for his outstanding services to the Panth. On 20 As&#363j 1970 Bk/4 October 1913, Ta<u>kh</u>t Sachkha&#7751&#7693 Sr&#299 Haz&#363r S&#257hib promulgated a <i>hukamn&#257m&#257</i> fixing the length of <i>kirp&#257n</i> or sword a Sikh will carry slung from across his shoulder at a minimum of one foot. On 12 M&#257gh 483 N&#257nak Sh&#257h&#299/25 January 1952, Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t enjoined upon the "entire <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 and all Gurdw&#257r&#257 ministers'' to add these lines to the <i>ard&#257s</i>:</p>਍㰀戀氀漀挀欀焀甀漀琀攀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀ऀ伀 吀椀洀攀氀攀猀猀 䰀漀爀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䈀攀渀攀瘀漀氀攀渀琀 伀渀攀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 猀甀挀挀漀甀爀攀爀 漀昀 吀栀礀 倀愀渀琀栀Ⰰ 眀攀 瀀爀愀礀 最爀愀渀琀 琀栀攀 㰀甀㸀䬀栀㰀⼀甀㸀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀猀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀樀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 琀栀攀 瀀爀椀瘀椀氀攀最攀 漀昀 甀渀栀椀渀搀攀爀攀搀 愀挀挀攀猀猀 琀漀 愀渀搀 挀漀渀琀爀漀氀 愀渀搀 洀愀椀渀琀攀渀愀渀挀攀 漀昀 匀爀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀 一愀渀欀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 匀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀栀椀戀 愀渀搀 漀琀栀攀爀 栀漀氀礀 猀栀爀椀渀攀猀 愀渀搀 猀椀琀攀猀 昀爀漀洀 眀栀椀挀栀 琀栀攀 倀愀渀琀栀 栀愀猀 戀攀攀渀 瀀愀爀琀攀搀 嬀愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 瀀愀爀琀椀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 倀甀渀樀愀戀 椀渀 ㄀㤀㐀㜀崀⸀㰀⼀瀀㸀ഀഀ
<p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</blockquote></p>਍㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀匀甀挀栀 眀爀椀琀猀 瀀爀漀洀甀氀最愀琀攀搀 甀渀搀攀爀 琀栀攀 猀攀愀氀 漀昀 愀 吀愀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀琀 挀愀爀爀礀 猀愀渀挀琀椀漀渀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 攀渀琀椀爀攀 匀椀欀栀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀㰀⼀瀀㸀ഀഀ
</font>਍㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䈀䤀䈀∀㸀ഀഀ
BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> Gordon, John J. H. , <i>The Sikhs</i>. Patiala, 1970<BR>਍㰀氀椀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀 䐀椀氀最攀攀爀Ⰰ 䠀愀爀樀椀渀搀攀爀 匀椀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最栀Ⰰ 㰀椀㸀吀栀攀 䄀欀愀氀 吀愀欀栀琀㰀⼀椀㸀⸀ 䨀愀氀愀渀搀栀愀爀Ⰰ ㄀㤀㠀　㰀䈀刀㸀ഀഀ
<li class="C1"> Kapur Si&#7749gh, "Akal Ta<u>kh</u>t, " in <i>The Sikh Sansar</i>. June 1976<BR>਍㰀氀椀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀 䠀愀爀戀愀渀猀 匀椀渀最栀Ⰰ 㰀椀㸀吀栀攀 䠀攀爀椀琀愀最攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 匀椀欀栀猀㰀⼀椀㸀⸀ 䐀攀氀栀椀Ⰰ ㄀㤀㠀㌀㰀䈀刀㸀ഀഀ
<li class="C1"> Sukhdi&#257l Si&#7749gh, <i>Ak&#257l Ta<u>kh</u>t S&#257hib</i>. Patiala, 1984<BR>਍㰀氀椀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀 䜀椀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀渀 匀椀渀最栀Ⰰ 䜀椀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀渀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀Ⰰ 㰀椀㸀吀眀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀爀☀⌀㈀㤀㤀㰀甀㸀欀栀㰀⼀甀㸀 䜀甀爀☀⌀㌀㘀㌀ 㰀甀㸀䬀栀㰀⼀甀㸀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀氀猀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀㰀⼀椀㸀 嬀刀攀瀀爀椀渀琀崀⸀ 倀愀琀椀愀氀愀Ⰰ ㄀㤀㜀　㰀䈀刀㸀ഀഀ
<li class="C1"><i>Gurbil&#257s Chhev&#299&#7749 P&#257tsh&#257h&#299</i>. Patiala, 1970<BR>਍㰀氀椀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀㄀∀㸀 䜀愀☀⌀㜀㜀㔀㄀☀⌀㜀㘀㤀㌀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀 匀椀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最栀Ⰰ 㰀椀㸀䠀甀欀愀洀渀☀⌀㈀㔀㜀洀攀㰀⼀椀㸀⸀ 倀愀琀椀愀氀愀Ⰰ ㄀㤀㘀㜀㰀䈀刀㸀ഀഀ
<li class="C1"> Ashok, Shamsher Si&#7749gh, <i>N&#298s&#257&#7751 te Hukamn&#257me</i>. Amritsar, 1967<BR>਍㰀⼀漀氀㸀㰀瀀 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀䌀伀一吀∀㸀䴀愀樀漀爀 䜀甀爀洀甀欀栀 匀椀☀⌀㜀㜀㐀㤀最栀 ⠀刀攀琀搀⸀⤀㰀戀爀㸀㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀䈀刀㸀ഀഀ
</font>਍㰀椀洀最 猀爀挀㴀∀挀漀甀渀琀攀爀⸀愀猀瀀砀∀ 眀椀搀琀栀㴀∀㄀瀀砀∀ 栀攀椀最栀琀㴀∀㄀瀀砀∀ 愀氀琀㴀∀∀㸀ഀഀ
</HTML></BODY>਍�