INTACH to revive wells from Baba Budha ji’s era

A team of volunteers and local villagers have found two historic ‘khuh’ (wells) believed to date back to the time of Baba Budha ji in Ramdas. The wells lie along the ancient route from Ramdas to Narowal (now in Pakistan), about half a mile from Ramdas town, which is also home to Baba Budha ji's samadh (final resting place).

Members of INTACH Amritsar, together with the local Randhawa family — owners of the land where the two wells were unearthed amid a grove of peepal trees — performed ardas before beginning restoration work.

The wells are thought to date to the era of Baba Budha ji, the revered Sikh saint who served the early Sikh Gurus. Over the years, their traces had nearly vanished. The re-excavation was carried out in keeping with Sikh traditions, beginning with an ardas and the distribution of karah prashad to mark the sacred occasion.

“Until about 50 years ago, these wells were still functional. However, after a few incidents where cattle reportedly fell into them, locals decided to fill them with mud,” said Gagandeep Singh Virk, convenor of INTACH Amritsar. “Unaware of their existence, the Randhawa family, which now owns the land, decided to restore them with INTACH’s support. The excavation and revival work has now begun to bring this forgotten heritage back to light.”

The site lies close to Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib (samadh), on the slopes bordering Ramdas town. According to Virk, the wells were built along the main road leading to Narowal, which remained in use until about 50 years ago. “In those days, wells were constructed along key travel routes for the convenience of travellers. Villagers from nearby settlements also used this road towards the Ravi border. While there is little mapping or documentation of such ‘khuhs’ or ‘bawdis’ along the route, the road itself eventually disappeared as people began encroaching and highways were developed,” he explained.

Virk added the initiative goes beyond restoring physical structures. “This effort is about reconnecting with the living history of Punjab’s sacred and cultural landscape,” he said. "We have already cleared the mud and about 4 to 5 feet of the wells are now visible. Fortunately, being buried for so long has preserved their structure, which remains largely intact."

Maj Gen Balwinder Singh, convenor of INTACH Punjab, said the restoration work would continue with active participation from the local community.

Ramdas town linked to Baba Budha ji’s final years

The town of Ramdas is closely associated with the final years of Baba Budha ji, one of the most revered saints in Sikhism. He was born in 1506 into a Randhawa Jat family in the village of Kathu Nangal, Amritsar. His father was Bhai Sugha Randhawa and his mother, Mai Gauran.

Originally named Bura, he earned the name ‘Budha’ (meaning a wise elder) as a child after meeting Guru Nanak while grazing cattle near his village. Impressed by the young boy’s questions about life and death, Guru Nanak blessed him with the name.

Baba Budha ji went on to serve six Sikh Gurus — from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Hargobind — and is remembered for his deep devotion and guidance during the formative years of Sikhism.