Gurudwara Panja Sahib, an important Sikh pilgrimage site, is located in which neighbouring country of India?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Pakistan

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Religious and historical places are a significant part of general knowledge, especially in South Asia where important sites are spread across several neighbouring countries. Gurudwara Panja Sahib is one of the most revered Sikh shrines associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is often mentioned in questions dealing with Sikhism, pilgrimage routes and India's relations with its neighbours. This question asks you to identify the neighbouring country where this famous gurudwara is located, which helps connect religious geography with political boundaries.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The religious site mentioned is Gurudwara Panja Sahib.
  • It is described as an important Sikh pilgrimage place.
  • The options list Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal as neighbouring countries of India.
  • You must choose the country where Gurudwara Panja Sahib is situated.


Concept / Approach:
Gurudwara Panja Sahib is located at Hasan Abdal in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is famous for a sacred rock believed to bear the handprint of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and attracts pilgrims from around the world. After the partition of India in 1947, several important Sikh shrines remained in what became Pakistan, and Panja Sahib is one of them. The approach to solve this question is to recall this post partition religious geography and recognise that Pakistan, not Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Nepal, is the country where this gurudwara lies.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is about Gurudwara Panja Sahib, a Sikh place of pilgrimage. Step 2: Recall that Panja Sahib is located at Hasan Abdal, which lies in the present day territory of Pakistan. Step 3: Remember that this gurudwara is one of several Sikh shrines that remained in Pakistan after the partition of undivided India. Step 4: Look at the options: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Step 5: Select Pakistan as the correct answer because it is the country where Gurudwara Panja Sahib is actually located.


Verification / Alternative Check:
Standard references on Sikh pilgrimage and history list Panja Sahib along with Nankana Sahib and other shrines in Pakistan. They clearly place Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, near Rawalpindi, in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal have their own important religious sites, but they do not include Gurudwara Panja Sahib. News reports about Sikh pilgrims often mention visits to Panja Sahib in Pakistan, further confirming its location. Together, these sources verify that Pakistan is the correct country.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bangladesh lies to the east of India and has a different religious and historical set of pilgrimage centres; it does not host Gurudwara Panja Sahib. Sri Lanka is an island nation to the south of India and is known for Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites, not this particular Sikh gurudwara. Nepal, to the north of India, is famous for places like Lumbini and various Hindu shrines, but Panja Sahib is not among them. Since none of these three countries contain this specific Sikh shrine, they are incorrect options.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse Panja Sahib with other Sikh sites such as Nankana Sahib or assume that all major Sikh shrines must be within India. Another pitfall is not paying attention to post partition geography and how it affected the location of religious sites. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to list key Sikh pilgrimage centres and note which ones are in India and which remain in Pakistan, such as Nankana Sahib and Panja Sahib. Regular revision of this list will make it easier to answer similar questions accurately.


Final Answer:
Gurudwara Panja Sahib is located in Pakistan, so Pakistan is the correct option in this question.

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