Patti : A Patented Page of Punjab's Surviving Past

Patti in district Tarn Taran is 50 Kms from Amritsar

Patti is the height of Govt indifference to Punjabi  heritage especially archaeology.

Before Partition it was a tehsil of Lahore district. After bifurcation of Amritsar revenue district it becomes part of Tarn Taran district which is newly created. Patti has been a power centre next to Lahore. By any  estimate it is not less than a 1000 year old power centre. By the time of advent of Guru Nanak Patti must have been a flourishing city.

The town is situated on a mound slightly at higher altitude. On the east-south is a small area  mound but much more high than Patti. This mound which projects traditional Shiv Temple is about 50 ft high.

Patti in Punjabi means a street. It is believed the original name of the inhabitation would have been different. Later some street with the name of Haider patti became more famous than the main town and it might have been some what distinct from the main body of the town. So Haider di Patti became the main town Patti.

I don’t think Patti makes a mention in the ancient Indian history but in the medieval days it was known as 10 lakhi Patti. That means it generated high revenue of 10 Lakhs. The residents told me that the Mirzas were prominent rulers of Patti and only till 5-6 years ago traces of one of their haveli were there but now the farmer has demolished it without leaving any trace of the haveli.

The fortress of Patti is an archaeological pride of Punjab. Till the year 2003 local police station was housed in it. It was built in 1755 AD. There is an inscription in the well in the fortress which will tell more. The magnificent wall have also started eroding. If no effort is taken in appropriate time this precious piece of archaeology will also vanish.

There remnants of a marvellous islamic tomb near the Govt Girls school. This in my opinion is the pride of Patti after the fort. I have pursued the owner to do every thing to perserve it. And I am hopeful.

Patti finds rich references in the Sikh history especially of those turbulent days when Mughal power was on decline and Sikhs were rising. The fortress reminds the Sikhs the height of persecution of a rebellious group when their ladies were also taken into custody and their infants and children were also murdered before their eyes. Patti tortures are thus part of the regular Sikh prayer.

Bibi Rajni who was forced to marry a leper belonged to Kaura family of Patti Khatris. Unfortunately the Sikhs have not preserved any remain of the house where she stayed with an aged lady. I am told the descendents of Kauras are still residing in Patti and we can definitely know about the Hindu rulers of Patti.

Patti was ultimately won by Faisailpuria Misal. There is a rumour that Maharaja Ranjit Singh considered the town a potential threat and it is for this reason that he got the outer wall demolished.

Patti was also supposed to be the city of peers : seven faqeer sisters.

The above information is based on my dialogue with 2-3 person import of them being Police Havaldar Charan Singh. He promised me that he will send a copy of the article that was published in a daily on Patti city.

I wish some one will come up with some authentic details about Patti. It must have details in the Amritsar district gazetteer also.

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