Gurudwara Lal Khoo Mochi Gate Lahore

"Reshaping Sikh Legacy: The Journey from Peace to Protection"

A momentous event reshaped the entire Sikh history and legacy, which had long embraced the peaceful teachings of Guru Nanak and thrived under the leadership of Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru. However, when Guru Arjan was executed, his son, Guru Hargobind, took a pivotal step to safeguard the Sikh community by introducing militarization to Sikhism.

As you enter Mochi Gate, the main road splits into two narrow streets. You'll find the historical 17th-century Saleh Kamboh Mosque standing at this junction. If you turn right, you'll be on Laal Khoo Bazaar. Just 200 meters down this street, across from the famous Rafiq Sweets (one of the oldest sweet shops in Lahore), you'll notice a small structure that appears to be a shrine named "Mai Beri Wala Khoo." The shrine's plaster surface is adorned with Quranic verses, and a Beri tree is right above it.

However, this place has a more significant history, here once lies the revered Khoo, an ancient well of great significance. Nearby, there used to be Chandu's haveli, owned by a Hindu named Chandu Shah, who served as the Diwan in Mughal emperor Jahangir Darbar. During the year 1606 AD, a significant event occurred in the life of Sri Guru Arjan Sahib Ji at this location. Chandu wanted to marry his daughter to the son of Sri Guru Arjan Saheb's son Guru Hargobind the sixth Sikh Guru. He invited Guru Arjan Sahib to his haveli and tell him his reason for inviting him, however, The Guru refused to marry Chandu's daughter with his son. Chandu arrested the Guru and kept him in one of the dingy cells here. At his imprisoned location there was a well and a “bairi”

It is said that every Thursday famous Saint and Muslim preacher Mian Mir Saheb every Thursday came to visit Guru Arjan Sahib in captivity he blessed the tree, so that I might bear sweet fruits and also blessed the water of the well to remain sweet to provide the nourishment for Guru Arjan. He also brought sweets for Guru and secretly gave them to him.

The Guru was tortured by Chandu at this very place. The dark pages of history reveal that it was at this very site where Guru Arjan faced unimaginable trials and tribulations. He endured tortures that would test the soul of any mortal. Later this well name become “Laal Khoo” as it has seen the last hardships of Guru.

Meharban informed Chandu Shah, another enemy of Guru Arjan, falsely telling him that the Guru had blessed Prince Khusrau and promised him he would become Emperor. Chandu informed Jahangir and represented to the emperor that, if he did not have Prince Khusrau quickly arrested, the pretender would receive great military assistance from the followers of the Guru. The people of the Panjab, he said, were all highway robbers.

Historical records and the Sikh tradition are unclear as to whether Guru Arjan was executed by drowning or died during torture.

On 25 May 1606 Guru Arjan, five days before his own death, selected his son Hargobind as his successor and instructed his son to start a military tradition to protect the Sikh people and always keep himself surrounded by armed Sikhs for protection.

Fast forward to 1619 AD, when Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji arrived in Lahore. The Sikh Sangat, fiercely loyal to Guru Arjan, led Chandu on a humiliating procession through the city's bazaars. Fate came full circle, and it was near the sacred well where a "Bharbhonja" – a seller of poached grams – struck Chandu with a deadly blow, putting an end to his malevolence.

Sikhs started to visit this site to pay their respects to the well and the bairi tree that sustained Guru Arjan's life during his several months in prison. Eventually, a shrine was built at this sacred location.

Over time, the sacredness of this place grew in the hearts of the Sikh Sangat. They unitedly invested resources, purchasing neighboring houses, and constructing a magnificent Gurdwara to honor Guru Arjan's legacy.

Through the annals of time, the custodianship of the Gurdwara shifted hands. From 1927 to 1947 AD, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee dutifully cared for it, and presently, the esteemed responsibility rests with the Pakistan Waqf Board.

The well dried up around a century ago and the Gurdwara was illegally converted into a shrine with no burial inside. Yet, people of different faiths, including Muslims, still visit the site, lighting oil lamps and offering prayers. The historical value of this place demands better preservation and attention from concerned authorities.