Kartarpur is a town, about 15 km from Jullundur, founded by Guru Arjan Sahib. Guru Sahib laid the foundation of this town on November 24, 1594. Guru Arjan Sahib and Guru Hargobind Sahib stayed in this town for a few years. The marriage ceremony of Baba Suraj Mall and Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib (the sons of Guru Hargobind Sahib) was performed in this town. In 1635, the Mogul army attacked Kartarpur. After this battle (April 26-28, 1635), Guru Hargobind Sahib moved to Keeratpur Sahib. Later, Dhir Mall, son of Baba Gurditta and grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib, chose to continue staying at Kartarpur. Dhir Mall too moved to Keeratpur for a short period and again. In 1662, he returned to Bakala but the property of Kartarpur remained under his control. Dhir Mal died in Ranthambhor Fort prison in 1677 and his son Ram Chand was executed at Delhi in 1678. After this, Dhir Mall’s second son Bhar Mall left Bakala and moved to Kartarpur. Since then, his successors have remained in the control of the property of Kartarpur. The first volume of Guru Granth Sahib (in the handwriting of Bhai Gurdas) remained here from 1631 to 1662. In 1662, Dhir Mall took it to Bakala. Bhar Mall again brought it with him from Bakala in 1678. Now, a copy of Guru Granth Sahib has been preserved here and it is shown to visitors on the first day of every month of Bikrami calendar. But, this volume is not the original one as that had been burnt when the town was badly ravaged and burnt by Nasir Ali, the chief of Jullundur, in 1757.
There are several Gurdwaras in the town: 1. Thamm Sahib (Here, Guru Arjan Sahib fixed a pole of Tahli tree to lay the foundation of the town; hence the name Thamm Sahib. Nasir Ali destroyed and burnt the first shrine in 1757. Maharaja Ranjit Singh built the present building). 2. Gangsar Sahib (Here Guru Arjan Sahib got a well dug in 1599. The Sikhs believe that the water of this well is more sacred than river Ganga (holy to Hindus); hence the name of the Gurdwara). 3. Shish Mahal (It was the residence of Guru Arjan Sahib and Guru Hargobind Sahib). Several relics belonging to Guru Arjan Sahib, Guru Hargobind Sahib, Guru Har Rai Sahib and Baba Gurditta have been preserved here. 4. Damdama Sahib (It is associated with memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib. Guru Sahib rested here for a short while in the battle of April 26-28, 1635. Here, Guru Sahib used to hold congregations). 5. Another Gurdwara, about 3 km from the heart of the town, named Damdama Sahib Patshahi Satwin, also known as Tahli Sahib, is associated with memory of the visit of Guru Har Rai Sahib. Guru Har Rai Sahib visited this place on his way from Keeratpur Sahib to Goindwal in 1658. 6. Wiah Asthan Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib (Here, the marriage of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Mata Gujari was solemnized). 7. Gurdwara Chubachcha Sahib Patshahi Chhewin (It was built in memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib). 8. Gurdwara Ber Sahib (It is associated with memory of Baba Gurditta and Bhai Gurdas). Besides the memorial of Mata Kaulan is also still in existence.