Sultanpur Lodhi: Cradle of oneness, peace & equality

One of India’s oldest towns, Sultanpur Lodhi is being reimagined as a global centre of interfaith harmony and universal brotherhood — a vision deeply rooted in the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

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Believed to have been established in the 1st century AD as Sawmanpur, the town flourished under the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, later taking its name from Sultan Khan Lodhi, a Pathan noble under the Lodhi dynasty.

Today, this quiet corner of Punjab stands as a cradle of spiritual revolution. It was here, in the late 1480s, that Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived for over 14 years. During his stay, he had a transformative spiritual experience at the banks of the Kali Bein rivulet, where he disappeared into the water for three days and emerged with the words, “Na koi Hindu, na Musalman.” These words didn’t reject religion — they rejected division. Guru Nanak’s vision of unity, equality and compassion was born in this town and continues to resonate across centuries.

Maj Gen (Retd) Balwinder Singh, Punjab convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), is leading efforts to have Sultanpur Lodhi recognised as a Sarv Dharam Sthal — a place of all faiths. “Unlike major pilgrimage centres I have visited — Jerusalem, Vatican City, Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Tirupati, Meenakshi Temple, Amarnath and others — which highlight one religious path, Guru Nanak gave a different message. I even visited the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia but, as a non-Muslim, could not enter the holy site. That in itself shows the uniqueness of Sultanpur Lodhi — a place where all are welcomed equally,” he said.

Gen Singh, who began studying the town’s history in depth after joining INTACH, noted that the area houses several historic gurdwaras — Ber Sahib, Hatt Sahib, Sant Ghat, Guru Ka Bagh — that commemorate Guru Nanak’s life. However, lesser-known heritage assets such as the Lodhi-era fort, a broken bridge from Guru Nanak’s time, the mosque where he joined in namaz, and old havelis remain neglected. “These structures are not just archaeological sites. They are chapters of a spiritual journey,” he said.

To preserve the town’s layered past, INTACH has proposed cultural heritage walks, connections to nearby sites like the Kanjli Wetlands and Kapurthala and a training programme for local guides. “We can provide training capsules to ensure guides tell these stories with accuracy and depth,” Gen Singh said, urging the tourism department to act proactively.

The environmental revival of the Kali Bein — led by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal — has added another powerful dimension to the town’s significance. Once a polluted stream, the Bein is now a clean, flowing water body and a symbol of collective responsibility. INTACH is developing a conservation blueprint from its origin to where it joins the Beas, aiming to protect it permanently as both a spiritual and ecological landmark.

Sultanpur Lodhi drew nationwide attention during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019. Since then, it has remained a site of interfaith dialogue, where people from diverse religious backgrounds gather in a spirit of mutual respect.

“Guru Nanak didn’t advocate for conversion or supremacy of any religion,” Gen Singh said. “He called for introspection, ethical living and oneness of humanity. This message — born here — can guide global conversations on peace, sustainability, and coexistence.”

“In today’s fractured world, Sultanpur Lodhi offers more than just history. It offers a living philosophy of unity in diversity — a message the world may need now more than ever,” he added.