Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Adjacent to the Golden Temple, is the marble paved square facing the Darshni Deorhi. On the opposite side of the marble square stands the Akal Takht, which is regarded as the supreme seat of Sikh religious authority. It was constructed by the sixth Guru Sri Hargobind in 1609. It is also called as Akal Bunga, the house of the Lord. The place is repository of the various weapons used by Sikh Gurus and heroes. These weapons are ceremoniously displayed every. evening to the congregation of devotees. The Akal Takht being the holiest of holy seats of the Sikhs, was used for a special purpose which considerably changed the Sikh character and organization. The sixth Guru himself sat here and held a court of justice. Many Sikhs gathered here for the redressal of their grievances. Offerings were made to the Guru. It was placed opposite to Darbar Sahib so that sikhs could keep religion in mind when taking any decision.
At the place where Akal Takht is situated was a playground, and the Guru used to play here during his childhood. Here he was ceremoniously installed as the Guru in 1606 after the death of his father Guru Arjun Dev. The sixth Guru Hargobind watched the Sikhs performing exercises in the art of warfare. He was imparting them training for the coming struggle against the Mughal authoritarianism.
The Akal Takht is a massive five story building standing on a marble paved platform. The ground floor was ready in 1774 and four stores were added later by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Golden dome was constructed by famous Sikh General Han Singh Nalwa. It was demolished during Operation Bluestar in 1984 and has been reconstructed.
The Hukamnama issued by Jathedar of Akal Takht is binding on all Sikhs. Even Maharaja Ranjit Singh had to bow before the orders of the Jathedar of the Akal Takht. During the Misal period after the death of Guru Gobind Singh and before the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Gurmata used to be passed by Sarbat Khalsa at Akal Takht for the protection of the country from the invaders. During British period, volunteers took vow of non-violence at Akal Takht before participating in the mochas launched by the Sikhs for the improvement of management of their holy shrines. A Saropa (robe of honor) conferred at Akal Takht is a distinction of a high order. It is given for extraordinary service rendered to the Sikh community.
List of Artifacts Contained at the Akal Takhat
- Sri Sahibs (swords) of Guru Hargobind Sahib that represented Miri and Piri
- Sri Sahib (sword) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Sri Sahib (sword) of Baba Buddha Ji
- Sri Sahib (sword) of Bhai Jaetha Ji
- Sri Sahib Baba Karam Singh Ji Shaheed
- Sri Sahib Bhai Uday Singh Ji, who was with Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- Sri Sahib Bhai Bidhi Chand Ji
- Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Gurbakash Singh Ji Shaheed
- Dudhara Khanda (double-edged sword) of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Dudhara Khanda of Baba Nodh Singh Ji Shaheed
- Khadag Bhai Vachitar Singh Ji which weighed 10 Saer
- Guru Hargobinds Sahib's "Guraj" weighing 16 saer. It was given to Dharamvir Jassa Singh by Matta Sundari
- A sword like weapon belonging to Guru Hargobind Sahib Guru Hargobind Sahib's Katar
- Baba Ajit Singh's Katar
- Baba Jujhar Singh's Katar
- Guru Hargobind Sahib's kirpan
- Guru Hargobind's Paeshkabaj
- Baba Deep Singh's Paeshkabaj
- A sword like weapon of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed
- Pistol of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed
- Two arrows of Guru Gobind Singh each cxontaining one Toala of gold
- Medium sized Khanda of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Two kirpans of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Two small Khandas of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Chakar Of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Small Chakar of Baba Deep Singh Ji
- Baba Deep Singh Ji's chakar for head decoration
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