Talhan

History

The village inhabited by the people of the Sahgal family, who sold the land to Bains Jats of Bahowal, Mahilpur, who later inhabited the village. During the colonial period, Talhan housed the zail headquarters, which covered 21 villages. Talhan was headed by a Bains Zaildar family beginning in 1871. In 1952, the Government of India dissolved the Zaildari feudal system. It is mentioned that the zaildar in 1923 was Sham Singh and last zaildar was Zaildar Jagat Singh.

Demographics

According to the 2001 Census, Talhan has a population of 2,946 people. The village covers 369 acre.

Baba Shaheed Nihal Singh

Talhan is famous for its Shaheedi Jor Mela, which is held annually in the memory of Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh.

Baba Nihal Singh belonged to the neighbouring village of Dakoha. Baba Nihal Singh made pulleys for drinking water wells. He served the people by installing the pulleys at the base of the well. Local people believe that as the Baba was divine.

The people of Talhan constructed a samadhi shrine to commemorate his death. The shrine was looked after by the Baba Nihal Singh's associate, Harnam Singh. After Harnam Singh's death, the followers cremated him next to the Baba's Samadhi. The two shrines have now become a gurudwara, a place of worship in Sikhism.

An annual Mela is held in Jalandhar to mark the death anniversary, or "Barsi," of the Baba. During the event, sports such as kabbadi, volleyball, and tug-of-war take place, along with gatka, a form of martial arts associated with the Sikhs. The Mela is celebrated annually from June 3 to June 5.

Religion

Talhan has a mixed population of Sikhs and Hindus. The village is also home to the mazaar, or dargah, of Pir Baba Fateh Shah Kadri. The mazaar is located in the northwest of Talhan and is about a kilometre from Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh. The mazaar includes three graves and a tomb, and the caretaker is Baba Paramjit Singh Bains. The village participates in the annual urs, or Mela, where Qawwalis, folk singers, and other entertainers perform.

Map

References

References

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