INTACH Punjab turns spotlight on Gurdaspur’s heritage sites

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Punjab, is doing yeoman service to preserve the cultural heritage of the state. After the recent success in stopping the demolition of the Dera Baba Nanak railway station heritage structure, the team of volunteers across Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and surrounding areas has completed the listing of more heritage structures that need immediate restorative attention.

Maj Gen Balwinder Singh, VSM (Retd), State Convener, INTACH, said that all-out efforts are being made to conserve both the tangible and intangible cultural heritage. “The latest district that has been covered is Gurdaspur, which is culturally very rich. Positioned along the Radcliffe Line, the district of Gurdaspur is one of the border regions of India and has a history dating back to the Early Historic Period (600 BCE – 300 CE). Explorations in the district under the North-Western Circle of ASI led to the discovery of ancient sites such as Achal Sahib, Kandila, Machharai and Nangal, which yielded Black-Painted Red Ware and Red Polished Ware. These sites are still largely unexplored as heritage sites,” said Maj Gen Balwinder Singh.

Kalanaur became famous as the place where Akbar was enthroned on February 15, 1556, after the death of Mughal Emperor Humayun. At present, the site of Takht-i-Akbari is situated on the north-eastern side of Kalanaur and consists of a platform positioned in front of a tank. The town is also known for its Shiv Mandir, Shahi Jama Masjid and Gurdwara Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.

One of the oldest cities in the district is Batala, roughly established in 1472 CE according to various historical accounts. During Akbar’s rule, Batala had 12 gates, out of which only five have survived.

“Batala is a sacred destination for followers of Sikhism, as it was here at the site of Gurdwara Kandh Sahib that Guru Nanak Dev ji was married to Mata Sulakhni. Other sites of religious significance include Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Kali Dwara Mandir, Sheetla Mata Mandir and Ram Mandir. Besides these, there are several other temples and old residences within the confines of the city. The city also has links with Maharaja Sher Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, as he commissioned a palace and Jal Mahal (Baradari) on the north-eastern side of the fortified city. Later, during colonial rule in 1878, Rev. Henry Francis Baring started a school in the palace of Maharaja Sher Singh and named it ‘Baring High School’. In 1897, a chapel was constructed near the palace, and between 1934 and 1948, the high school was transitioned into Baring Union Christian College,” said Maj Gen Singh.

These sites have been included in INTACH Punjab’s listing.

The district, in several clusters, also has a number of bungalows, churches (Church of North India and Holy Healing Church), and other infrastructural facilities. These structures can still be seen in the city of Gurdaspur and in areas such as Kastiwal and Sathiali.

INTACH ground teams in several other historic settlements in the district — such as Dera Baba Nanak, Sri Hargobindpur, Dinanagar, Behrampur, Dhariwal, Fatehgarh Churian, Qadian and Kahnuwan — have also listed heritage sites.

Dinanagar, known for its pleasant mango gardens and six gates built during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time, also has the remains of a hamam and a Baradari constructed during his rule.

The district also has a tragic connection with World War I, as several residents participated in the Great War and were martyred. Memorial plaques commemorating residents who lost their lives can be seen in the villages of Chak Sharif and Ghot Pokhar.

Harpreet Singh Bhatti, Convener of the Gurdaspur Chapter, said there was an overwhelming response from prominent personalities in Gurdaspur for the listing of sites, which has been undertaken holistically for the first time. “Some citizens also participated in identifying heritage sites. We are now working to chart out a plan for restorative work and to develop strategies for their preservation,” he said.