Image Source: Satnam Kalsi
About Sri Muktsar Sahib
Sri Muktsar Sahib (commonly called Muktsar) is a historic town and district headquarters in southwestern Punjab, part of the Malwa region. It lies about 50 km from Bathinda, 35 km from Malout, and about 60 km from Fazilka, near the border with Rajasthan.
It is part of Punjab’s cotton belt and semi-arid plains.
History
The Battle of Muktsar—The Origin of the Name
Muktsar’s history is deeply tied to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru.
The word ‘Muktsar’ means ‘The Pool of Liberation’ (Mukti = liberation; Sar = lake). Originally called Khidrana, it was the site of the Battle of Khidrana/Muktsar in 1705—one of the final battles Guru Gobind Singh Ji fought against the Mughal forces and their allies.
The Story of the 40 Mukte
Forty Sikh soldiers who had earlier deserted Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib returned to fight bravely at Muktsar. They fought the Mughals to their last breath and were martyred.
Guru Gobind Singh blessed their sacrifice by tearing up the ‘bedava’ (document of desertion) and declaring them Chali Mukte (the Forty Liberated Ones). He named the place ‘Muktsar’ in their honor—signifying that they attained spiritual and martial liberation.
Gurdwaras & Pilgrimage
Muktsar is an important Sikh pilgrimage town, home to multiple historic gurdwaras:
Gurdwara Tuti Gandi Sahib: Marks the spot where Guru Gobind Singh tore the bedava.
Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib: Guru Gobind Singh Ji watched the battle from this sand dune.
Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib Muktsar: Main shrine commemorating the battle and the Mukte.
Every year, the Mela Maghi is held here in January—one of Punjab’s biggest Sikh fairs—where devotees take a holy dip in the Muktsar Sarovar (holy tank) to honor the martyrs.
Geography
The district is mostly flat, part of the arid to semi-arid Malwa plains. It lies in Punjab’s southwestern cotton-growing belt.
Irrigation is mainly through canals branching from the Rajasthan Feeder Canal and the Sirhind Canal system, as the area naturally has sandy soil and low rainfall.
Culture and Identity
Malwa Roots
Muktsar’s culture is classic Malwa:
People speak the Malwai dialect of Punjabi. Folk songs, ballads about the 40 Mukte, and local Sufi and Sikh lore are part of the oral tradition. The rural economy revolves around cotton, wheat, and mustard farming.
Major Cultural Events
Mela Maghi: A major Sikh fair and spiritual gathering every January, attracting pilgrims from across Punjab
Local fairs and folk performances keep Malwa’s ballad-singing and Dhadi tradition alive.
Modern Muktsar
Muktsar town is the administrative, educational, and trading center for surrounding rural areas. Cotton ginning and oilseed processing are key industries. It has grown into a relatively quiet but culturally important district with deep spiritual roots.