There are two small structures outside wall of the Lahore Fort two small structures which usually go unnoticed by those who pass through the Greater Iqbal Park. These are the Sikh Samadhis of Bhai Vasti Ram and Jhinger Shah Suthra.
The Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Ram holds spiritual value for the Sikhs. The Sikh history and reference books say that Bhai Vasti Ram lived from 1701 to 1802 in Lahore and was the son of a well-known Sikh Bhai Bulaka Singh who is supposed to have accompanied Guru Gobind Singh to the south in 1707. He returned from there with the Guru’s blessings to settle in Lahore.
Bhai Vasti Ram was known for his medicinal skills because of his devotion to the study of medicine and became famous for his expertise in the use of indigenous herbs for treatment for free. He is believed to be very humble, religious and God-fearing.
Bhai Vasti Ram was known because of his devotion to the study of medicine and became famous for his expertise in the use of indigenous herbs for treatment free of cost
Bhai Vasti Ram treated people equally and never bothered about the religion, sect, caste, and creed of his patients. The stories of his healing power and spirituality spread around Punjab. People started endorsing his spiritual supremacy. Great Sikh chiefs also visited him for blessings.
Bhai Vasti Ram’s tales reached the then Maharaja of Punjab, Ranjit Singh, who became a passionate follower of Bhai Vasti Ram. Maharaja Ranjit Singh later claimed that many of his victorious battles were a result of the blessings of Bhai Vasti Ram, especially the Battle of Bhasin (1800), which confirmed his possession of Lahore. The Maharaja often visited him and respected him because of his devotion and mysticism.
The historical references say that Bhai Vasti Ram was a bystander of many persecutions of the Sikhs till their final rise to political power in Punjab and later in Lahore.
Bhai Vasti Ram died in 1802 at the age of 94 in Lahore, and the news left his followers sad. His marble Samadhi was built outside the northern defense wall of the Lahore Fort. Maharaja Ranjit visited his Samadhi on all special occasions and his death anniversaries.
This small structure near the wall of Lahore Fort was in shambles. The Samadhi was declared a protected monument by the Archeology Department of Punjab.
The Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Ram, just like the Jain Mandir in Lahore, came under a mob attack the demolition of the Babri Mosque in 1992. The Samadhi was severely damaged and the structure, embellishments and its rich decorations were brutally plundered and looted by the mob. And it was in poor condition until a year ago. Some parts of the Samadhi had collapsed, and others were in ruins. There were waist-high shrubs outside it. Many local and international Sikh Associations were disappointed at the condition of this Samadhi and had requested the Department of Archaeology for its restoration.
This small structure near the wall of Lahore Fort was in shambles. The Samadhi was declared a protected monument by the Archeology Department of Punjab
The access to the Samadhi became difficult due to the development in the Greater Iqbal Park. Recently the Department of Archaeology Punjab restored the Samadhi, and it is now a beautiful white structure all in marble.
The structure of the Samadhi was strengthened, the cracks were filled and repaired. The missing portions of the Samadhi were restored along with the marble slab carvings, inlays, perforated marble grills, floor, ceilings, courtyard, doors, and parapets in the original design. Interestingly some of the hidden features like water cascades, pools and fountains have also been revealed by the removal of debris.
The original structure of the Samadhi was an amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim motifs into Sikh architecture. The Samathi’s architecture is a proof of the sophisticated taste of the Sikhs. Small inscriptions are seen on the walls there. The Samadhi stands out despite its humble appearance against the backdrop of the enormous Lahore Fort, because of its white marble exterior, which was once inlaid with multihued semiprecious stones in floral motifs. The main door is on the north side and placed on a square podium which is a little raised from the ground. The well-known engineer Kanhaiya Lal wrote that there used to be a tank with fountains just in front of the Samadhi.
Tourists visiting Lahore Fort or the Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh should also visit this site there. This small structure glows after sunset.
Published in Daily Times, September 29th 2018.