Gobindgarh Fort to turn a new page in history tomorrow

PK Jaiswar

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 10

The historic Gobindgarh Fort would finally be thrown open to the public following the completion of the first phase of its restoration work. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will inaugurate the fort post renovation on December 12.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg visited the fort and supervised the arrangements being made for the programme. He said besides the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and members of the Punjab cabinet would participate in the programme.

The 18th century Gobindgarh Fort, a fine specimen of war preparations during the period of Sikh Misls and Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is located next to the Lohgarh Gate. Punjab Tourism and Heritage Board is carrying out the conservation and restoration work of the fort in a phased manner.

According to officials, the fort will have two separate museums. One of them will depict Sikh soldiers and the other will show coins used during various periods of the Sikh rule.

Earlier, the fort was in the possession of the Army. Dr Manmohan Singh, who was the Prime Minister then, during his visit to the city, handed over the keys of the fort to the then Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in December 2006. After the conclusion of all formalities, the Army garrison stationed in the fort handed over its possession to the Department of Tourism, Punjab, in October 2008.

However, its preservation work could be started only in 2012 with funds from the state government and the Asian Development Bank.Its core area includes a circular bungalow, durbar hall, two bastions in the north-east and south-east of the fort and a toshakhana. The circular-shaped bungalow with colonial architecture was raised on the plinth of the Sikh period. This bungalow will house a museum displaying mannequins of Sikh soldiers of various periods, their weapons, a replica of Zamzama canon, the original of which is in Pakistan. 

Besides, the building of toshakhana is also ready, which will house a museum on coins, reflecting different stages of the Sikh rule.