Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji realized that due to many reasons, including the changing political face of Punjab, it would be prudent to move out from Sri Kiratpur Sahib and construct a new centre of Sikhi. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji knew that Sikhs needed a place that is well-secure and a little away from the crowds.
During these days, the king of Bilaaspur, Deep Chand died. Deep Chand was the son of Tara Chand, who was rescued by Sri Guru HarGobind Sahib Ji from Gwalior. Guru HarGobind Sahib Ji had refused to come out of Gwalior jail, until all innocent kings were released. Jahangir bowed to Guru Ji’s demand and agreed to release anyone who could hold on to Guru Ji’s chola. Guru Ji got a new chola sewn which had 52 kaliyaan and all the 52 kings were able to come out of the jail holding on to Guru Ji’s chola.
The queen of Bilaaspur and wife of deceased Deep Chand, requested Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji to come for the last rites of the king. Guru Ji accepted the humble request of the queen and arrived at Bilaaspur. Few days after the last rites, Guru Ji expressed his desire to purchase a piece of land in Bilaaspur. The queen was a Sikh of Guru Ji and with folded hands and tears in her eyes, thanked Guru Ji for being so merciful to Bilaaspur and expressed her desire to donate the whole of village of Makhopur (present day Sri Anandpur Sahib).
Guru Ji, sensing the dangers of the future, insisted on buying the land, instead of accepting it in donation. Guru Ji knew that in the future, there would be friction with the future rulers and for this reason wanted to buy the land. Guru Ji was not wrong in his judgement because the son of the queen and Deep Chand, Ajmer Chand did give trouble to the Singhs during the reign of Kalgiwale Pita Ji - Sri Gobind Singh Ji Mahraaj.
Guru Ji paid the market price for the village of Makhoval and named it Chakk Nanaki. Baba Buddha Ji’s grandson, Baba Gurditaa Ji laid the foundation stone of this city. So how did it get the name Sri Anandpur Sahib? This was the work of Chojee Preetam Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Mahraaj. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji Mahraaj first arrived at Chakk Nanaki, from Patna Sahib, he read 6 pauris of Sri Anand Sahib before entering this town. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was very pleased at his son’s shardhaa (faith - devotion) and decided to name the town, Anandpur after bani of Sri Anand Sahib. In papers it was still known as Chakk Nanaki and in the 1883-84 Gazzette of Hoshiarpur, it was still under the name of Chakk Nanaki.
Guru Ji called the expert construction workers and engineers of that time and started with the construction of the great city of Anandpur Sahib. This was to be that city where Khalsa was to reside forever and ever. Within a very short span of time, a very beautiful town got constructed, surrounded by beautiful mountains. It became a great centre of business at that time. Guru Ji constructed solid roads, and solid buildings in this great city.
It is the greatness of Guru Ji that within a very short time, he constructed a whole city. Normal people cannot even construct a decent home in their life time and here was Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji who constructed a whole city in months.
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