Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar

Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar (GTB Nagar), formerly known as Koliwada, is a neighbourhood in Sion, Mumbai, named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism.

Not to be confused with Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Delhi, also known as Kingsway Camp.

Originally home to Mumbai's indigenous Koli community, it is also known as Koliwada. A colony was constructed for the rehabilitation of Sikh and Punjabi refugees who came from Pakistan in the years shortly after independence.

Today, many of the buildings and tenements originally constructed for the refugees are in a dilapidated state, and are awaiting demolition and redevelopment.[1]

The local residents, however have been protesting the order for vacating the premises and their subsequent demolition, as they seek an alternative arrangement for renting and redevelopment.[2]

GTB Nagar, today, is renowned for its unique culture and cuisine, which has evolved over the years as an amalgamation of the influences of the indigenous Koli community and the Punjabi and Sikh immigrants.

Location

Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar is in South Central Mumbai, with the nearest railway station being Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar railway station on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar has a college started by the Sikh community of this area called Guru Nanak College of Arts, Science & Commerce affiliated to Mumbai University.

The Nearest Hospitals are Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital (Sion), Mata Laxmi Hospital and AntopHill Hospital.

GTB Nagar also consists of government colonies named as CGHS Colony. This colony consist of 7 sectors 1–7 which are allocated to different Central Government employees from different fields (CPWD, dockyard, Indian navy etc).

There are other areas such as Pratiksha Nagar, Makawadi, Indira Nagar, Antophill etc.

Religion

GTB Nagar and its surrounding area has seven gurdwaras, notable among which is the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar; and temples which were built for the worship of Punjabi Hindus notable one being Shree Geeta Bhavan Hari Mandir.

The gurdwaras are known for their charitable trusts and community service initiatives, particularly for their responsiveness during natural calamities and the langar meals served throughout the day.[3]

Schools and colleges

Schools
  • Sion Koliwada Municipal School
  • Guru Nanak High School (Hindi & English Medium)
  • Shree Sanatam Dharam High School
  • Chetumal Bhoolchand Murlidhar (C.B.M.) High School
  • A.M. Kewalramani Premier High School – also known as Trinity High School

Colleges

Notable former residents

See also
  • Koli People
  • King Mandhata

References
  1. "Sion buildings housing '47 refugees face hammer - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  2. "Mumbai: Sion-Koliwada Punjabi colony refugees protest HC eviction order | Free Press Journal". Free Press Journal. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  3. Johari, Aarefa. "Facing eviction, residents of a Mumbai Partition-era colony fear they will become homeless again". Scroll.in. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. "Akshay Kumar is a Punjabi by nature". hindustantimes.com/. 22 March 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
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