History
The Toshakhana of Darbar Sahib
by PERNEET SINGH
Soon, those visiting the Darbar Sahib may not have to wait for a special occasion like the Gurpurab to catch a glimpse of rare artifacts and invaluable gifts kept in the shrine's Toshakhana (treasury), as the S.G.P.C. is contemplating to put them on public display permanently.
The issue came to the fore after former Rajya Sabha MP Tarlochan Singh shot off a missive to S.G.P.C. chief Avtar Singh, emphasising on the need to preserve these rare artefacts and facilitate their display to the visiting devotees. In his letter, dispatched on Thursday, January 20, 2011, Tarlochan Singh said the artifacts have been kept locked in a room which is taking a toll on their life and there is a need to preserve them in a modern way. He also advocated the need for putting these articles on display permanently in the ‘parkarma' of the Golden Temple.
"The move would make the people aware as to what invaluable articles have been gifted to our holy shrine."
"When the Kohinoor can be put on display in London and Takht-e-Taus in Tehran why can't we display our invaluable treasures," he wondered. He contended that with measures like bulletproof glass and security gadgets available these days, there is no threat in displaying these articles at a permanent museum in the ‘parkarma'. He said the gates of the Darshani Deodhi, which is to be replaced, should also be put on display.
When contacted, Avtar Singh admitted that they have received a suggestion from Tarlochan Singh in this regard and they will discuss it in the S.G.P.C. executive meeting on January 28, 2011. "We will consider the issue and if the artifacts are to be displayed we will seek expert advice before making arrangements for the same ."
Darbar Sahib Manager Harbans Singh stated that they too have suggested to the S.G.P.C. to display these articles in glass enclosures. According to him, at present, these artifacts are displayed during "jalau" (show of splendour) on six Gurpurabs.
During these occasions, too, the time for "jalau" is restricted from 8 am to 12 noon. As per "Harmandar Sahib da Suneheri Itihaas", a book penned by Giani Kirpal Singh, during "jalau" 44 such items are put on display at the sanctum sanctorum, 9 at the Akal Takht and 6 at Baba Atal Gurdwara.
The ‘toshakhana' boasts of invaluable possessions such as the necklace of diamonds and pearls of Kanwar Naunihal Singh presented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, jewel-encrusted ‘kirpan' of the Maharaja, a ring of Princess Bamba, gold canopy, gold and turquoise peacock, gold necklace made of currency notes of Guru Nanak, golden spades and containers presented during various ‘kar sevas', gold ‘bir' of Baba Deep Singh, and four pairs of ornate doors.
[Courtesy: Tribune]
January 22, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), January 22, 2011, 9:25 AM.
Sikh masses should wake-up and take control of their Toshakhana and other items. The S.G.P.C. has removed the Darshani doors ostensibly for repair (restoration), but now - surprise? - they are being replaced with new ones. The S.G.P.C. destroyed the original brick wall where Guru Gobind Singh ji's younger sons were buried alive and replaced it with marble stone.
2: Taran (London, United Kingdom), January 22, 2011, 3:33 PM.
I visited Windsor Castle quite a few years ago. I was shocked to see unlimited treasures and bounty from all across the globe and especially from the subcontinent on display in their museums in WIndsor Castle. Also in Victoria & Albert museum. I was told by a worker there that what's on display is a mere fraction of what is in their storage. After a while, my shock turned into praise for them ... Why? Coz if all that stuff was still in India it would have been stolen or in possession of some privileged chor a.k.a our pradhans, jathedars and so on and so forth. Why has the toshakhana not turned into a museum till now? Coz the chaudhris will steal from it! It's a shame that these thugs who call themselves jathedars and panth de sevak are ruining our Sikh culture and keeping all of our historical artifacts as if they belong to them. Our present generations are missing out on their glorious past. We need a Jaago today ... to wake up this sleeping quom.