Vallah: A historic town of devotion and martyrdom, blessed by Guru Teg Bahadur

Vallah, located on the outskirts of Amritsar, is a historic town with roots in Sikh history. According to a local lore, it was founded by two brothers, Vallah and Mallah, who migrated from Sohal village near Jhabal. Vallah had three sons — Vassan, Phulu and Malak — while Mallah had only one son. The village’s name became historically significant after the visit and stay of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

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In 1634, the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, shifted from Amritsar to Kiratpur Sahib (near Anandpur Sahib) as his main centre for religious preaching. The management of Darbar Sahib then came under Prithi Chand. When Guru Tegh Bahadur became the ninth Guru in 1664, he came to Amritsar from Baba Bakala, along with Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana and other Sikhs. At that time, Golden Temple was managed by Har Ji, grandson of Prithi Chand. Although Har Ji welcomed the Guru personally, he secretly instructed the temple priests to oppose him. The priests even closed the doors of the Darshani Deori, the entrance to Darbar Sahib.

Exposing their selfish motives, Guru Tegh Bahadur remarked, Ambersariye, ander sariye (you are not true caretakers of Amritsar; inside, you are burning in the fire of greed.) These words were meant only for the corrupt priests, not for the city residents. Guru Tegh Bahadur bowed in reverence from outside and then sat under a ber tree to the right of Akal Takht, the spot now known as Gurudwara Bada Sahib.

From there, he moved towards Damdama Sahib and eventually reached Vallah village, where he rested in the fields of a local farmer, Mata Haro Ji. Today, that sacred spot is marked by Gurudwara Guranna Sahib. Mata Haro invited the Guru to her home, where he stayed in a humble mud house. This place is now revered as Gurudwara Kotha Sahib.

Impressed by Mata Haro’s love, devotion and service, Guru Tegh Bahadur blessed the village. His visit brought spiritual significance to Vallah, and the people came to regard it as a place of divine grace. When city residents later learned about the priests’ misconduct, they came to Vallah in large numbers, seeking forgiveness on behalf of the priests and requesting the Guru to pardon them. Pleased with their devotion, Guru Tegh Bahadur blessed them with the words: Mayian Rab Rajyian, meaning “the women here will be blessed with devotion.” Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed in Vallah for 17 days before leaving for Tarn Taran, Khadoor Sahib and Goindwal Sahib. To this day, in memory of his visit, a grand fair is held in Vallah every year on the full moon day in the month of Magh.

The village also has a history of sacrifice. Bhai Moola Singh of Vallah was martyred in the Nankana Sahib massacre. Bhai Dayal Singh laid down his life during the Gangsar Jaito Morcha. Gopal Singh of Vallah was martyred in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Many others from the village took part in the Jaito Morcha, Guru Ka Bagh Morcha and the Quit India Movement, facing imprisonment for the cause of freedom.