The Ali Baig Gurdwara is a two-storey brick Sikh temple with a door on each of its four sides, standing in Ali Baig village in Bhimber district, Azad Kashmir, south-east of Mirpur near the Upper Jhelum Canal. It dates from the Sikh or Dogra period, was once one of the main Sikh centres of the area, and is now an abandoned, protected building. It is a short detour from Mirpur for anyone interested in the region's pre-1947 past, but it is not a working gurdwara and there are no visitor facilities.
This guide covers what is known about its history, what to look at, its condition, and how to fit it into a day around Mirpur and Bhimber.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Ali Baig village, near Khalsa Middle School, Bhimber district |
| Coordinates | About 33.011 N, 73.869 E |
| From Mirpur | Listed as about 10 km east of Mirpur; the village is south-east of the city |
| Built | 19th or early 20th century; sources disagree |
| Condition | Abandoned; reported as ruinous in places |
| Status | Protected under the AJK Preservation and Protection of Antiquities Act, 1986 |
| Fee and hours | None published |
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Where is the Ali Baig Gurdwara?
Ali Baig (often spelt Alibeg or Ali Beg) is a farming village on the bank of the Upper Jhelum Canal in Bhimber district. The Wikipedia list of heritage sites in Azad Kashmir places the gurdwara near the Khalsa Middle School in the village, and the federal Department of Archaeology and Museums describes it as about 10 km east of Mirpur.
On a map the village lies south-east of Mirpur city, roughly 19 km in a straight line, so use the coordinates above in a map app rather than relying on the round figure. The village was once called Kirtan Ghar after the gurdwara itself; the AJK archaeology department records the older name as Kaitan-Garh.
When was it built?
The sources do not agree. The AJK Tourism and Archaeology Department says it was built during Dogra rule by Sodan Singh in 1940, but adds that slabs installed in the building show it was active in the 19th century. The Department of Archaeology and Museums dates it to 1799 to 1849, the period of Sikh rule. Some accounts credit a Sant Sunder Singh as the builder.
The likeliest reading is an older shrine that was rebuilt or extended later, but no one has published the inscriptions in full, so treat any single date with caution.
What does the gurdwara look like?
The Department of Archaeology and Museums gives a detailed description.
- Shape: square outside, two storeys, of standard burnt brick laid in lime mortar. The AJK record calls them "Nanki bricks".
- Four entrances: a door on every side, with multi-cusped arches. In Sikh architecture the four doors stand for openness to people of every faith, caste and direction.
- Facade: blind arches flanked by decorative cut-brick pillars.
- Doorways: white marble door jambs, and Corinthian-style pillars carrying Gurmukhi inscriptions.
- Top: a canopy with horseshoe-shaped openings on all four sides. Inside, the square plan turns into an octagon to carry the dome above the canopy.
- Floor: glazed tiles with floral designs.
If you know the gurdwaras of Lahore or Hasan Abdal, look for the same vocabulary here in a small rural building: the cut brickwork, the cusped arches and the domed pavilion on top.
What happened here in 1947?
After Mirpur fell in November 1947, the gurdwara was used as a camp for Hindu and Sikh captives from the Mirpur area. Survivor accounts, most fully the memoir of Bal K. Gupta, describe a forced march to Ali Baig and heavy loss of life on the way and in the camp, and say that when the International Committee of the Red Cross reached Ali Baig in March 1948, about 1,600 people were still alive and were moved to Rawalpindi and then to Jammu. The figures come from survivor testimony and later writing rather than an official count.
It is a painful history, and it is part of why the building matters to Sikh and Hindu families with roots in Mirpur. Visit it quietly and respectfully.
What condition is it in today?
The gurdwara has had no congregation since 1947. It is legally protected and owned by the AJK government, but we found no record of conservation work, and a 2017 visitor listing linked from Wikipedia describes it as ruins. Expect weathered brickwork, missing tiles and plaster, and possibly damaged upper parts. Do not climb on the structure.
How do you visit?
- Start from Mirpur, which has the nearest hotels and restaurants; see our guides to hotels in Mirpur and places to visit in Mirpur.
- Drive south-east towards the Upper Jhelum Canal and Ali Baig village, using the coordinates as your pin.
- In the village, ask for the old gurdwara or for Khalsa school.
- Allow half an hour on site.
There is no published entry fee or opening time. Go in daylight and, if the building is on private or school land, ask permission first. October to March is the comfortable season; summer afternoons in this part of Mirpur and Bhimber are very hot.
What can you combine it with?
Bhimber town, with its small Mughal mosque and the listed Haathi Gate, is the natural next stop; see our Bhimber Haathi Gate and Mughal mosque guide. For the Sikh heritage of the wider country, our guide to Sikh heritage sites in Pakistan covers the major gurdwaras, and our experiences page lists other heritage trips.
Is it safe to visit?
Ali Baig lies in Bhimber district, not on the Line of Control itself, but the UK government advises against all but essential travel to Azad Kashmir and against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which can affect travel insurance. Azad Kashmir also saw deadly unrest and long phone and internet shutdowns from June 2026. Pakistani visitors still travel in the Mirpur area, but check local news first; our Azad Kashmir safety guide has more.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Ali Baig Gurdwara?
In Ali Baig village, Bhimber district, near the Upper Jhelum Canal and south-east of Mirpur city, close to the village's Khalsa Middle School.
Who built the Ali Baig Gurdwara?
The AJK archaeology department names Sodan Singh and the year 1940, while federal records date the building to 1799 to 1849. Inscriptions suggest it was in use in the 19th century.
Why does the gurdwara have four doors?
In Sikh tradition, doors on all four sides express welcome to everyone, whatever their faith or caste.
Is the gurdwara still in use?
No. It has had no congregation since 1947 and is now an abandoned, protected monument.
Can Sikh pilgrims visit?
It is not on the official pilgrimage circuits that bring Sikh yatris to Pakistan, so visiting depends on general access to Azad Kashmir. Check the current rules before planning.
