The Significance of Ganga Sagar

" Rai Azizullah Khan has displayed the Ganga Sagar all over the world, including Australia where in Melbourne, thousands came to see and touch the Ganga Sagar. As the present head of the Rai family, Rai Azizullah Khan has stressed that the real significance of the Ganga Sagar is entirely in the fact that it has touched Guru Gobind Singh Ji's pavitar hands. He then went on to say that as far as he and his family are concerned, the significance of a gift from the Guru would have been exactly the same if the Guru had given them the gift of a pot of clay ("mitti") instead.
Rai Azizullah Khan has won the hearts of crowds through his humility, sincerity and respect for the Guru, the Ganga Sagar and the Sikh community. The Rai family, throughout the generations has shown fearless love and respect towards the Guru, even with the obvious risk of serious reprisals from the rulers of the day. In this sense, the Ganga Sagar is a symbol of love that transcends the artificial boundaries of religion, race or caste and this is the essence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's life and teachings. " - Prof Bhajan Singh Grewal, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

" A stand-out memory for Azizullah, which he relates with much fondness, is when he first set foot at Amritsar, in 2004. He recalls, "As soon as we began our journey in a carriage, for Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), a Sikh man ran up to me and gave me a small wrapped gift. I opened it and it was The Holy Koran," he says, with a tear in his eye. "That is what Ganga Sagar truly symbolises - the love and respect we give each other as humans, regardless of our religion or race. I truly hope that this love and respect can surpass all other artificial barriers, and build strong bridges between our two countries as well." " - Manpreet K. Singh (Melbourne, Australia), India Today, December 2008

Utamm Chand

- Raikot Survey Pustak (Book) 1971, Bhasha Vibhag Punjab, Page 67

Translation: It's really hard to find the eldest person in a town with population of 15,000 but still we were able to find an 85 years old man who is physically and mentally fit. His name is Uttam Chand Vohra. He was born on 12th June, 1885 in Raikot. He's the eighth descendant of Lala Duni Chand Vohra who was an "ahilkar" in times of Queen Bhagbhari. Sri Uttam Chand told about Raikot that it used to be a very popular and lively city before Independence of India. Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs all used to live like brothers together and respected each others' religion. Ganga Sagar, gifted by Guru Gobind Singh ji, was very dear to Rai Inayat Khan. Some devoted Sikhs from Rawalpindi region offered him to sell Ganga Sagar to them for an amount of Rs. 300,000 (Rs. 3 Lakh) but he politely refused by saying that in return for keeping Ganga Sagar with him, he gets to meet more than 50,000 devotees of Guru Gobind Singh ji every year. His soul gets satisfaction by this. The price of Rs. 300,000 is insignificant in comparison to "sangat darshan". Sri Uttam Chand told that at the time of creation of Pakistan, Rai Inayat Khan left with only Ganga Sagar. His family left after quite a while. This proves that irrespective of Raikot region's people's religion they had a deep respect for other's religions.

" It is a great honor for me to be the custodian of this sacred bakhshish (gift) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. I am proud of the valiant and noble deed of my elder, Rai Kalha ji, for his fearless love and respect shown for Guru Sahib. Rai Kalha ji, as a true Muslim,  extended "seva" and hospitality to Guru Sahib against injustice and atrocity (cruelty) in the reign of Aurangzeb, when even some of Guru Sahib's staunch followers had expressed inability to do the same because of the fear of the Emperor. The Ganga Sagar was given as a personal gift by Guru Sahib to Rai Kalha ji in appreciation and gratitude. Today it stands as a symbol of love of humanity and respect for each other irrespective of caste, creed or religion. "
- Rai Azizullah Khan

Ganga Sagar Ajit Article Ganga Sagar Ajit Article
Ganga Sagar Ajit Article

Article about Ganga Sagar and Rai Family published in Ajit Jallandhar, on 03rd August 1997

Ganga Sagar Ajit Article

Translation: To understand the importance of Ganga Sagar, it would be enough to know that the jug shaped container made of alloys for putting water, etc. in it was kept as a personal belonging by Guru Gobind Singh ji for quite some time. Thereafter Guru Sahib gifted it to his Muslim disciple, Rai Kalha with his own hands. Rai Kalha, who had a sense of letting go of his wealth and property and endangering his life and the lives of his family in service of Guru Sahib, was ruler of the Raikot homestead (riyasat). Before the partition of the country this Rai family lived in the historic town of Raikot, Tehsil Jagraon, District Ludhiana, for several centuries. This family's history depicting the Sikh-Muslim brotherhood is worth writing in Golden letters.

Ganga Sagar Ajit Article

Ganga Sagar displayed for darshan by sangat at Manji Sahib Hall, Sri Darbar Sahib, Golden Temple, Amritsar, December 2004

Ganga Sagar on way to RaiKot

Ganga Sagar and Rai Azizullah Khan on their way to Raikot from Gurdwara Alamgir Sahib via Ludhiana Canal, Mullanpur Dakha, Gurusar Sudhar, Halwara on 28th December, 2004. Approx. 60 KM journey took 11 hours.

Ganga Sagar at Raikot Haveli

Ganga Sagar with Rai Azizullah Khan entering Raikot Haveli for the first time since 1947 CE, December 2004.

Ganga Sagar at Raikot Haveli

Ganga Sagar the Pavitar Bakhshish of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in its own room at the Raikot Haveli, after 57 years, December 2004. Presently there is Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib in the room.

Ganga Sagar

Gurudwara Tahliana Sahib, Raikot, Dist. Ludhiana, Punjab, India

Ganga Sagar

Gurudwara Thanda Burj Mata Gujri Ji, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India

Ganga Sagar

Ganga Sagar - Sacred Relic of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Rai Azizullah Khan Fatehgarh Sahib

Rai Azizullah Khan, at the Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Sirhind where the third and fourth Sahibzadas were bricked alive.

Manmohan Singh at PM Residence

Rai Azizullah Khan with Prime Minister of India and his wife Mrs. Gursharan Kaur ji at the PM's official residence, Delhi, after Darshan of the Holy Relic, December 2004.

Rai Azizullah Khan with Ganga Sagar

Rai Azizullah Khan with Ganga Sagar, which is now kept in Canada.

Rai Azizullah with Ganga Sagar

Ganga Sagar - Sacred Relic of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Ganga Sagar

Rai Azizullah Khan at Craigieburn Gurdwara, Melbourne, Australia - 2008

Rai Tulsi Das

Rai Tulsi Das / Rai Sirajuddin

Ancestor

Rai Tulsi Das, a Hindu Manj Rajput Chief who embraced Islam in 1323 CE at the hand of Uchh Da Peer at that time, Makhdoom Jahanian Jahangasht, and was named Sirajuddin-Kalimuddin alias Sheikh Chachu. Rai Sirajuddin founded Chakar, Tehsil Jagraon in 1323. He desired to be buried in Uchh Sharif, a town near Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan - Chiefs of Punjab 1890 By Major Charles Francis Massy. Raikot, Jagraon, Talwandi Rai, Andlu, Halwara, Hathur, Shah Jahanpur, Qasba, Qutba, Dhaner, Talwan, Nakodar, Malsian and Manjki (12 villages) were founded by descendants of Rai Sirajuddin.

Rai Kamaluddin II

Rai Kamaluddin II

Ancestor

He was the only son of Rai Shahbaz Khan of Raikot and nephew of Rai Fateh Khan and Rai Ahmed who founded Raikot in 1648 CE. He founded Jagraon, in District Ludhiana in 1680 CE. He had one son Rai Kalha III.

Rai Kalha III

Rai Kalha III

Generation I

He was a Muslim Chief. In 1705, he had the honour of being the host of Guru Gobind Singh Ji at the risk of losing his own and his family's lives apart from the State and property he owned. Noora Mahi, the Rai's cattle-grazer, was deputed for the seva of the Guru. While in Raikot the Guru received the tragic news of the martyrdom of his two sons and his mother. The Guru presented a Sword, a Rehal and the Ganga Sagar to Rai Kalha III, as an expression of his gratitude.

Rai Mohammad

Rai Mohammad

Generation II

He was the only son of Rai Kalha III.

Rai Alias

Rai Alias

Generation III

He was the grandson of Rai Kalha III. He died in 1802 CE while on a hunt near Jagraon. He was issue less.

Noor-Un-Nissa & Rani Bhagbhari

Noor-Un-Nissa & Rani Bhagbhari

Generation IV

Mother and widow respectively of Rai Alias took charge of the territory. In 1806 CE Maharaja Ranjit Singh took over the territory but returned a few villages to Rani Bhagbhari. Upon her death in 1854 CE the territories were inherited by her adopted son - Rai Imam Baksh.

Rai Imam Baksh

Rai Imam Baksh

Generation V

He was the great grandson of Rai Fateh Khan of Raikot, nephew and adopted son of Rani Bhagbhari and Rai Alias. The Rani nominated him as her successor. He died in 1886 CE. Ref. Rajas of Punjab 1870, Page 60, By Sir Lepel Henry Griffin.

Rai Faiz Talab Khan

Rai Faiz Talab Khan

Generation VI

Born in 1848 CE. He was the eldest son of Rai Imam Baksh and was the successor to his father as the Chief. He was Hon. Magistrate, President Rai Kot Municipal Committee, Hon. Civil Judge and was appointed a Viceregal Darbari. Rai Faiz Talab Khan died in 1900 CE. Ref. Chiefs of Punjab, 1890.

Rai Inayat Khan

Rai Inayat Khan

Generation VII

1877 CE - 1953 CE. The only son of Rai Faiz Talab Khan. Became president of Rai Kot Municipal Committee in 1904 CE. He was given the title of "RAI" in 1911 CE and was appointed an Hon. Magistrate, Sub Registrar Jagraon Tehsil in 1935 and Hon. Civil Judge. As the Chief of Rai Kot (Ref: Chiefs of Punjab, 1909 and 1940. Ludhiana Dist. Gazetteer 1888, 1904 and 1935) he enjoyed special honour. He was given the title of Khan Bahadur in 1928 CE. Rai Wali Muhammad Khan of Talwandi was an uncle of Rai Inayat Khan. Rai Inayat Khan migrated to Pakistan in 1947 CE and died in 1953 CE. Before the partition of India, Ganga Sagar was displayed once a year for darshan by Sikh Sangat by Rai Inayat Khan at his haveli in Raikot.

Rai Faqirullah Khan

Rai Faqirullah Khan

Generation VIII

Born in 1930 CE. Rai Faqirullah Khan was the only son of Rai Inayat Khan. He studied at Aitchison College, Lahore before partition of India in 1947 CE. He migrated to Pakistan along with his father. He died at the young age of 28 in 1958 CE.

Rai Azizullah Khan

Rai Azizullah Khan

Generation IX

Born in 1951 CE. The only child of Rai Faqirullah Khan. He lost his mother at the age of 4 years and father at the age of 6 years. He was brought up by his grand mother, widow of Rai Inayat Khan. He studied at Aitchison College, Lahore and Govt. College, Lahore. He is married to Begum Tabassum daughter of Rai Muhammad Iqbal (MLA Dist. Ludhiana, 1945) and granddaughter of Rai Wali Muhammad Khan of Talwandi Rai. He is a former Member of Parliament of Pakistan. He is the present custodian of Ganga Sagar. He is the 9th Generation of Rai Kalha III. He has one son, Rai Mohammed Ali Khan, born in 1989 CE.

Personal email: azizrai@gmail.com

Rai Mohammed Ali Khan

Rai Mohammed Ali Khan

Generation X

Born in 1989 CE. He is the only son of Rai Azizullah Khan. He studied at Aitchison College, Lahore. He is currently settled in Canada.