Which Guru founded the city of Anandpur Sahib?

Guru Tegh Bahadur founded the city of Anandpur Sahib. The settlement was established in the mid-1660s near the Shivalik foothills in present-day Punjab, after the ninth Sikh Guru acquired land from the ruler of Bilaspur.

Its earlier name was Chak Nanaki, honoring Guru Tegh Bahadur’s mother, Mata Nanaki. The town later became known as Anandpur, meaning “city of bliss.” It grew into an important Sikh center, especially during the leadership of his son, Guru Gobind Singh, who lived there for many years.

Anandpur Sahib is closely associated with several pivotal events. Guru Tegh Bahadur was remembered there after his 1675 execution in Delhi, while Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa at Anandpur on Vaisakhi in 1699. The city is also home to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, one of Sikhism’s five Takhts.

A common mix-up is confusing Anandpur Sahib with Kiratpur Sahib, which Guru Hargobind founded earlier. Guru Tegh Bahadur moved the Sikh community from Kiratpur to the new settlement.