Akal Takhat

From SikhiPedia

The Akal Takhat is the supreme temporal (worldly) authority of the Sikhs.The Akal Takhat was initially built by the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Ji as a symbol for political sovereignty of Sikhs. It stood as symbol of political and military resistance against the Mughal Empire in the 17th and 18th century.

The Jathedar of the Akal Takhat is supreme religious authority of Sikhs. The present (acting) Jathedar is Sardar Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh.

The Akal Takhat is one of five sacred takhts in the Sikh faith.

Attacks on Akal Takhat

In 18 century Ahmed Shah Abdali led series of attacks on the Akal Takht and Harmandar Sahib. On June 4, 1984, the Indian Army heavily damaged the outer facade of the Akal Takhat building as part of a controversial military operation known as Operation Bluestar.

New Building

In 1984 The original structure was destroyed by tank fire. It was repairable to an extent but Indira Gandhi made a pact with Baba Santa Singh Nihung of Buddha Dal to rebuild it. After he started rebuilding work, the Panth protested and demolished the Indian Government funded building.

A new updated building was erected by Panthic groups.

See also

• Akal Takhat Jathedars
• Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib
• Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib (Birthplace of the Khalsa)
• Takhat Sri Patna Sahib (Birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh)
• Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib (place where Guru Gobind Singh breathed his last breath)