Importance of Haveli Todar Mal in Sirhind

By Amandeep Madra on January 4, 2010

Gurdeep Singh Mann writes in the Tribune that the Haveli of Todar Mal is to be restored by the SGPC. This would make it one of the last pieces of Punjab’s Sikh built heritage that is extant and is now in the hands of the body that has been responsible for most the state’s worst restoration jobs
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 3

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has called tenders to restoring the Jahaz Haveli here. The haveli belongs to Diwan Todar Mal, who gave away gold coins to the then Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan.

Haveli of Diwan Todar Mal in Sirhind

Wazir demanded gold coins in vertical shape equal to the size of land sought to perform last rites of younger sahibzada of Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Gujri. Todar Mal gave his savings and land to buy land for the last rites.

A meeting of SGPC officials was held recently to restore the haveli in its original shape. Sirhind MLA Didar Singh Bhatti, SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli and others were also present. The officials said the tenders of Rs 70 lakh had been called for the restoration, which would be opened on January 20.

The SGPC members said a letter had been written to the Punjab Chief Minister to purchase 10-acre land at government price adjoining the haveli, so that the haveeli could be given its actual shape.

The SGPC had last year decided to reshape the haveli besides other buildings and monuments. Though the haveli is dilapidating for long, the SGPC has initiated efforts to restore it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/28942-importance-of-haveli-todar-mal-sirhind.html

The land on which the haveli was built brawled into controversy last year, as Jain community and its owner claimed that the land did not belong to the SGPC, however, it was donated to it later with the intervention of senior Akali leaders and local administrative officials.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=28942

The papers belonging to the haveli land were given to the SGPC members after its measurement and the SGPC took 2 canal and marla land in its possession.

Architects from across the country have also been consulted for the restoration work.

 
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sometime SGPC also does good job,once a while

I hope SGPC doesnt pass the buck to the Kar sewa babas...they will bury everything under a new Marble Gurdwara...and call it Baba Todar Mall gurdawara...while placing "golucks" all over to collect donations......there will not be asingle brick of the havelo for comign generations to see...Such has been done to countless HISTORICAL Places of Sikh history....