Katra Ahluwalia, a glimpse of grand past, faces ravages & wrath of time

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 25

Katra Ahluwalia, developed by Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783), one of the prominent leaders of Sikh Misals in 1760, was a planned and secured residential locality near the Golden Temple, which has metamorphosed into a commercial market over the period of time. A number of illegal hotels and other commercial establishment tarnished its glory. A major portion of the historic Qila Ahluwalia, originally built as a military fortress to protect the Golden Temple and Katra, has faced demolition in the past. Only one of its gates and a small portion of the fort remain, which has been converted into a hotel.

Fortunately, a few more than one and half a century old buildings along with the wooden façades and frescos are intact. The decorated wooden balconies attract the visitors. The Centre initiated the restoration of these buildings, Qila Ahluwalia and Katra Ahluwalia market under National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY).

The Katra Ahluwalia has three separate phases of development during past two and half centuries. Initially, in 1760, Sardar Jasa Singh, leader of Ahluwalia Misal constructed the fortress and constructed a secured locality with four gates. Giani Giyan Singh (1822-1921) mentioned in his book “Tawarikh Sri Amritsar” that Misal Sardars gave the land to the settlers free of cost. They used to accept a Rori (Ball) of Gur (jiggery) from the person, who constructs house in the Katra (residential cluster). In 1762, when Abdali attacked on the Golden Temple and demolished the main building, the Misla Sardars recaptured the city soon and secured the shrines and residential areas. They constructed gates and military posts to secure the localities.

Dr Balwinder Singh, former head of Guru Ramdas School of planning, GNDU said, “I conducted a study on the Katra Ahluwalia and its historic buildings years back. As far as the heritage buildings are concerned, the Katra Ahluwalia is the richest in the city. It is a sad state of affairs that we failed to preserve the historic buildings. Serious efforts are needed to preserve the great heritage of the city.”

The second phase of development of Katra Ahluwalia started with the regime of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839). He invited Marwari businessmen from Sikar district of Rajasthan, a move which changed the face of Amritsar forever. The Katra Ahluwalia was one of the most secured localities in the city, so it was allotted to the rich Marwari traders.

Vipul Nevtia, a Marwari trader, who belongs to the sixth generation of Marwari traders, established in Katra Ahluwalia, said, “Our ancestors were invited by the Maharaja for the trade and facilitated them to set the business. We are now more Punjabi than Marwadi. Katra Ahluwalia has become our identity. We spent our childhood in the centuries old buildings. We have great memories here. Now people are demolishing the house for commercial use. The government should prevent the heritage of the city.”

The traders in Katra Ahluwalia claimed that masons were used to come from Iran and Iraq to construct the buildings in Katra. “My grandparents told me that buildings were constructed by masons from Baghdad. That is why the architecture of old buildings is unique in the Katra,” said Nevtia.

During the initial years of 20th century, the British Government auctioned the Qila of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.

The Marwari businessmen bought it and converted into houses and shops. A major portion of the old structure of fort was demolished and new buildings were constructed. These buildings of colonial architecture have decorated shades and balconies. The frescos on the ceiling are still visible. The government is restoring the frescos but residents claimed that art work is poor as compared to the original ones.

“The restoration work is not up to the mark. The streets are being recarpeted with interlocking tiles. The restorers should keep the Sikh architecture in their mind,” said Dr Balwinder Singh.

City residents are now worried about the mushrooming of illegal hotels in the localities around Golden Temple such as Katra Ahluwalia. “The hotel mafia demolished the heritage of the city during past a few decades. Government should take serious steps to preserve the heritage buildings.

Our ancestors were invited by the Maharaja for trade and facilitated them to set up the business. We are now more Punjabi than Marwadi. Katra Ahluwalia has become our identity. We spent our childhood in the centuries-old buildings. We have great memories here. — Vipul Nevtia, a Marwari trader

The hotel mafia has demolished the heritage of the city over the decades. If the government does not take serious steps to preserve the heritage buildings and markets in the walled city, there would be only hotels in the next few years. — Michael Rahul, an activist

As far as the heritage buildings are concerned, the Katra Ahluwalia is the richest in the city. It is a sad state of affairs that we failed to preserve the historic buildings. — Dr Balwinder Singh, ex head, Guru Ramdas School of planning, GNDU

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