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Nankana Sahib is the birth place of the founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak. Previously, the township was known as Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi and was renamed after the birth of Nanak Dev. The Janam Asthan Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, originally constructed in around 1600 CE, was renovated during 1819–20 CE by Gian Punjab Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. The area around Nankana Sahib was formerly a tehsil of District Sheikhupura till May, 2005. The provincial government decided to raise the status of Nankana Sahib to that of a district as a way of promoting development in the area. |
The development of Nankana Sahib is among one of the numerous projects by Government of the Punjab. Among the initial projects, the development work of Nankana Sahib Resort, to host and entertain local and international visitors, is almost complete. The descendants of Rai Bular plan to construct a 100 Acre University along with hospitals and health care facilities.
Government of Pakistan has also announced a plan to set up a university on Sikh religion and culture at Nankana Sahib. The international Guru Nanak University, planned at Nankana Sahib, would have the best architecture, curricula and research center on Sikh religion and culture.
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony
The foundation stone of the Nankana Sahib foundation was laid down by Honorable Rai Bashir Ahmad Khan Bhatti in June 19, 1994. Rai Bashir Ahmed Khan Bhatti is a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Chairman of the Education Standing Committee of the Government of Pakistan. He is the oldest direct descendent of Rai Bular Khan, who was a widely respected man, a great philanthropist, and a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev. The Rajput Bhatti family of Nankana Sahib has donated almost 11,000 acres of its land to the Sikh religious shrines in and around Nankana Sahib. The 10 acres of land upon which this foundation is being established has also been donated by Rai Sarwar Khan Bhatti, the direct descendent of Rai Bular Bhatti and nephew of Rai Bashir Bhatti.