Sakhi Sarwar
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Sakhi Sarwar
Famous Muhammadan shrine in the District and tahsil of Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, situated in 29 59' N. and 70 18' E. The shrine, which dates from about 1300, crowns the high bank of a hill stream, at the foot of the Sulaiman Hills, in the midst of aiid desert scenery, well adapted for the residence of those who desire to mortify the flesh. It was founded in honour of Saidi Ahmad, afterwards known as Sakhi Sarwar, the son of an immigrant from Baghdad, who settled at Sialkot, 12 miles east of Multan, in 1220. Saidi Ahmad became a devotee, and, having performed a very remarkable series of miracles, was presented by the king of Delhi with four mule-loads of money, with which the Sakhi Sarwar shrine was erected.
A handsome flight of steps leads from the bed of the stream to the building, constructed at the expense of two Hindu merchants of Lahore The buildings include the mausoleum of Sakhi Sarwar himself; a monument to Baba Nanak ; the tomb of Musammat Bibi Bai, wife of Sakhi Sarwai , and a thakurdwara They thus comprise a curious mixture of Hindu and Muhammadan aichitecture, and are frequented by devotees of all religions The guardians of the shrine are the descendants of Sakhi Sarwar's three servants, among whom the revenues accruing from the offerings are divided in 1,650 shares, the descendants of one servant receiving 750 shares, of another 600 shares, and of the third 300 shares, Throughout the year the shrine forms the resoit of numerous mendi- cants, Hindu and Muhammadan.
