Keshgarh Fort

Takht Kesgarh Sahib, also known as Kesgarh Qila or Keshgarh Fort, is a prominent Sikh religious site located in Anandpur Sahib within the Rupnagar district of Punjab, India. Situated approximately 40 kilometers from Rupnagar city and 78 kilometers from the state capital of Chandigarh, this structure stands as one of the five revered Takhts, or seats of temporal authority, in Sikhism. The fort was originally constructed by Guru Gobind Singh during his twenty-five-year residence in Anandpur Sahib. It served as a critical defensive stronghold among five forts built to protect the Sikh community from attacks by the Rajas of the Hill States and the Mughal Empire. The architecture reflects traditional Sikh design principles, emphasizing both spiritual sanctity and military utility.

The historical significance of Takht Kesgarh Sahib is profound, as it marks the sacred ground where Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh lived and preached. Most notably, this is the exact location where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699, an event that fundamentally transformed Sikh identity and history. While the original fortifications date back to the late seventeenth century, the current structure visible today largely results from reconstruction efforts undertaken in the mid-1930s, which replaced earlier edifices on the site. Today, it functions primarily as an active Gurdwara and a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs worldwide, drawing visitors who come to honor its legacy as the birthplace of the Khalsa. The site remains a symbol of sovereignty and resilience, maintaining its status as a central pillar of Sikh heritage and religious practice.