Bhai Vasti Raam

Another site inaccessible for the public

Bhai Vasti Raam lived from 1708-1802 In Lahore. He was the son of a known Sikh Bhai Bulaka Singh who is said to have accompanied Guru Gobind Singh to the South in 1707 from where he returned with his blessings to settle in Lahore. Vasti Raam was a recognised master of medicine because of his devotion to the study of medicine, and became famous for his skills in the use of indigenous herbs as a source of treatment for various diseases. Being very religious and God fearing, he always treated his patients for free and history records that he would cure anyone with any disease. He was a person who, while treating anyone, did not bother about the religion, caste and creed of the person. Stories of his healing power and spirituality increased and eventually reached the far and wide areas of the Punjab. That was the time when his mystic supremacy was endorsed . To say nothing of the common people, he was even visited by important Sikh chiefs who came to seek his blessings. Maharaja Ranjit Singh himself became a passionate follower of him. Ranjeet Singh often said that many of his successful battles owed to the blessings of Bhai Vasti Raam especially the battle of Bhasin (1800), which confirmed him in the possession of Lahore. Bhai Vasti Raam was a spectator of many persecutions the Sikhs underwent till their ultimate rise to political power in the Punjab and especially Lahore.  Bhai Vasti Raam died at the age of 94 in 1802. A marble Samadhi was built outside the Lahore Fort at the spot where he was cremated. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited the Samadhi on all special occasions especially on the day of Bhai Vasti Raam’s death anniversary.

You must be amazed at the history, so let take you through the Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Raam. It is right here is Lahore. Flanking the northern defence wall of Lahore Fort is this Samadhi of Bhai Vasti Raam but a bit in ruins and waiting to be restored. The Monument declared as protected monument is with the Archeology Department of Punjab. These days because of the construction of Greater Iqbal the access to the Samadhi is a bit difficult but one can walk down the rough track for visiting this monument.  Otherwise as well, there is no proper route for accessing this monument. The Samadhi, though in shambles, is a polished amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim motifs in Sikh architecture, and is an authentication of the sophisticated taste of the Sikh milieu of that time. The design of the monument reflects strong blend of all eras. Small inscriptions are seen on the walls of the Samadhi. Despite its small appearance against the backdrop of the gigantic Lahore Fort, the structure captures one’s attention through its exploit of white marble on the exterior surface, which was once inlaid with multihued semiprecious stones in floral motifs. The main door is kept on the north side of the square structure which is placed on a square podium. According to Kanhaiya Lal, there used to be a tank with fountains just in front of the Samadhi; however, it is no longer seen now. Maybe if some excavation is carried out the remains of the fountain are found there.

The monument is not open for the tourists as it has never been given any importance or brought in the limelight. It is lying abandoned at present and many of us are hardly aware of the importance of this monument. If a little is done to it I guess It can be a good source of religious tourism. The same belt has another small monument the Samadhi of Jhinger Shah Suthra and then the main Gurdawara of Ranjeet Singh. This locale can be converted into an ensemble and trust me it will create a lot of potential for the religious tourism. Small history boards and tourist guides can make a big difference to promote it. In my opinion, this monument should be a part of the guided tour of the Lahore Fort, but for that the access to it needs improvement.