AI Generated Summary
- As the holy city glows in celebration of the birth anniversary of its founder, the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ramdas, the spirit of Ramdaspur — the city’s original name — continues to live on in every lane, courtyard, and corner.
- Later, under British rule, the walls came down as the city entered a new phase — becoming a district headquarters in 1849 and a municipal corporation in 1868.
- It remains a living expression of faith, community, and resilience — a city that embodies the eternal vision of its founder.
As the holy city glows in celebration of the birth anniversary of its founder, the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ramdas, the spirit of Ramdaspur — the city’s original name — continues to live on in every lane, courtyard, and corner. Nearly 450 years after its foundation, Amritsar, or Ambarsar as locals fondly call it, remains a vibrant blend of sacred heritage and modern dynamism.
Despite its expanding skyline and the hum of urban life, the city’s old quarters still beat to a centuries-old rhythm. The street grid that Guru Ramdas and his successors designed — a pattern of narrow lanes leading to open courtyards — largely endures, a silent testament to their foresight.
One of the earliest neighbourhoods, Chowk Passian, still tells a story of its own. The name, locals say, comes from Passa — a traditional gold ornament worn by women. The area was once home to skilled goldsmiths who shaped the city’s ornaments and identity alike. “Even the gold ingots were called Passa, and so the neighbourhood came to be known as Passian,” an elder resident explains with pride.
While Guru Ramdas laid the city’s sacred foundations, it was Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Master, who oversaw its growth after 1581. Under his guidance, Amritsar evolved into a bustling walled city, spreading over about 3.5 square kilometres, its markets and katras (neighbourhoods) named for the trades and communities they served. Each street carried meaning: Gali Mochian and Gali Acharjan housed those performing cremation rites, while Telian Wali Gali was home to oil pressers.
Architects still marvel at the city’s early design — lanes that open unexpectedly into serene courtyards shaded by trees, offering both utility and respite. This organic blend of planning and spirituality became the hallmark of Amritsar’s identity.
The city’s resilience was tested time and again. Between 1628 and 1765, invasions left scars on its landscape, but Amritsar rebuilt itself with remarkable strength. The Sikh misls that followed restored its grandeur, constructing forts, bungas (rest houses), and havelis, and giving rise to thriving markets like Ghee Mandi, Gur Mandi, and Gha Mandi — names that still echo the trades of old.
By 1825, during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Amritsar stood fortified with a 12-gated wall, double moats, and defenses seven yards high. Later, under British rule, the walls came down as the city entered a new phase — becoming a district headquarters in 1849 and a municipal corporation in 1868.
Today, as lamps and prayers mark Prakash Purb of Guru Ramdas, Amritsar is more than its shimmering marble and bustling bazaars. It remains a living expression of faith, community, and resilience — a city that embodies the eternal vision of its founder: where devotion and daily life flow as one.
