Farmers Movement Archive

Preservation work on Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Qila moves at snail’s pace

Amritsar, July 24 The Covid-19 pandemic coupled with illegal encroachments by political people has badly affected the preservation of heritage structure of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Qila located near Golden Temple here. Famous Sikh general Jassa Singh Ahluwalia also known as “Sultan-ul-Quam” was the fourth Jathedar of Baba Budha Dal and fifth Jathedar of Akal Takht. The Sultan-ul-Quam Bab Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Memorial Society in a statement issued here on Friday said the Punjab Government, the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board and Asian Development Bank sanctioned Rs 2.22 crore for preservation work of the qila in January 2019. Pardeep Singh Walia, president of the society, said, “The tenure for preservation is being expired this year while its work is still pending and currently going on at snail’s pace”. He said local and political people had encroached upon the land of the heritage building. He urged the government to get these encroachments removed from the site so that pending work could be completed. The society urged Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to direct Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi to get a heritage structure constructed at the vacant land of qila which would help in inspiring the generations to come. He also appealed to highlight the history of the qila at its entrance gate. The society also urged the Chief Minister to get a statue of great Sikh leader installed at the Heritage Street near Maharaja Ranjit Singh statue. Walia said the previous Congress government had approved construction of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia gate at Ghee Mandi in January 2003. The design for the same was already approved by the government. He also demanded to declare a holiday to mark the birth anniversary of great Sikh warrior on May 3 like other Sikh generals. The great Sikh warrior was also called “Bandi Chhor” (the redeemer) for rescuing around 2,200 women imprisoned by Ahmad Shah Abdali for his harem. He was awarded the title of “Padshah” (king) or “Sultan-ul-Quam” (Emperor of the Sikh community) after the conquest of Lahore by Sikhs in November 1761, and the death of Nawab Kapur Singh Faizullapuria. Sardar Ahluwalia successfully led the Sikh warriors against frequent foreign invasions of the Afghans and the tyrannical rule of Mughal administrators during the 18th century.

The Tribune

2020-07-25