Heritage & History / Historical Background
Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Kartarpur
After his extensive travels, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled at Kartarpur, where he established a Sikh community and spent the final period of his life.
The SGPC records that Guru Nanak settled at Kartarpur in 1522 and lived there until 1539. During these years, the community developed around daily Kirtan, spiritual instruction, farming, service and Langar.
Government of Punjab sources also describe Kartarpur as the place where Guru Nanak spent his final years and developed a community around his teachings.
A Living Model of Sikh Community
Kartarpur is particularly important in Sikh history because Guru Nanak's teachings were expressed here through everyday community life.
The traditions associated with Kartarpur emphasize:
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Naam Japo — remembrance of the Divine
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Kirat Karo — earning through honest work
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Vand Chhako — sharing with others
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Sewa — selfless service
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Equality and human dignity
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Community living
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Kirtan and spiritual reflection
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Langar for all
This combination of spiritual practice and practical community life remains central to the significance of Kartarpur.
The Final Days of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji passed away at Kartarpur on 22 September 1539, according to the official Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs and ETPB accounts. Historical tradition records that both Hindu and Muslim followers were present and had different traditions concerning the final rites. The site today preserves memorial traditions associated with both communities.
Historical Gurdwara Building
The present Gurdwara complex is not the original structure established during Guru Nanak Dev Ji's lifetime. Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs and ETPB state that the earlier shrine was affected by flooding from the Ravi River and that the present building was constructed during the 19th century under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Kartarpur After Partition
Following the Partition of 1947, the Sikh community that had historically lived in the region largely migrated to India, while the Gurdwara remained in Pakistan.
For decades, Sikh pilgrims from India and around the world continued to seek easier access to this important shrine, particularly because of its proximity to the international border.
Kartarpur Corridor
The Kartarpur Corridor
The Kartarpur Corridor is an important modern chapter in the history of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.
The corridor connects the Dera Baba Nanak area in India's Punjab with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan, allowing pilgrims from India to reach the shrine through a dedicated pilgrimage route under the bilateral agreement.
The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated on 9 November 2019, shortly before the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Government of Pakistan describes the corridor as facilitating pilgrimage to one of the Sikh community's most revered religious sites.
The agreement governing the corridor was renewed for another five years in October 2024. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the arrangement continues to provide visa-free access for pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, subject to the applicable pilgrimage procedures.
Important: Access rules, registration requirements, fees and operating arrangements can change. International visitors should verify the current official requirements before travelling.
