Historical places which can add to city’s tourism potential

Neeraj Bagga

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 10

The city, which attracts tourists from across the globe to the Golden Temple, has a number of destinations that visitors can find interesting. Residents feel that a little has been done to publicise other places of historical importance, which have the potential to draw more tourists and result in prologing their stay in the city. Such destinations include museums and residences of ace Punjabi writers.

A city resident, Naresh Johar, says the city of Golden Temple has a plenty of sightseeing places for those interested in Sikh history and Punjabi language.

Khalsa College’s Sikh History Research Centre

Khalsa College’s Sikh History Research Centre is a museum depicting the rich Sikh history in rare photographs, paintings and important documents. These include photographs of heroes of the two World Wars, pictures of gurdwaras in Pakistan clicked in the 19th century and paintings of Sikh warriors, such as Hari Singh Nalwa. The museum displaying documents of historical importance, weapons, coins and artefacts is also being upgraded at the centre.

Established in 1930, the centre has documents available in languages, such as Urdu, Persian and Sanskrit, besides over 6,000 books, old newspapers and magazines. The centre was recently shifted to a separate building, which is nearing completion.

Bhai Veer Singh Museum

The Bhai Vir Singh Museum-cum-library is keeping alive memories of the all-time great Punjabi littérateur. The residence of the poet, who was born here on December 5, 1872, was converted into a memorial long ago. The house, spread over four acres, has preserved most of his belongings as it is being managed by a local committee on behalf of New Delhi-based Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan.

His living room showcases a huge portrait of the writer, along with the Padma Bhushan bestowed on him for his contribution to literature, extracts from his writings adorn the wall, his spectacles, wallet, slippers, cot and other items are kept in various rooms.

SG Thakur Singh Art Gallery

Born in 1899 in Verka, near Amritsar, Padma Shri SG Thakar Singh, a landscape artist, founded the Thakar Singh School of Arts that was turned into an art gallery later. A collection of his work, some of which are a century old, are displayed in a separate room dedicated to his art work. The academy shells out a few lakh rupees on the restoration work after regular intervals to ensure that his creative legacy remains preserved.

Punjab Naatshala

Over 20-year-old Punjab Naatshala beckons theatre artists and audience. It established itself as performing art space while keeping the focus on promotion of theatre.

Besides, the State Bank of India (SBI) has established a museum at its main branch in Town Hall. Another museum has been opened by an educationist, Dev Dard. He has kept old coins and archaeological items at display at his house and his privately established school in Islamabad.

When contacted, District Tourism Officer Gursharan Singh said, “The Tourism Department can certainly add to its list of tourism sites the museums and other places of interest which are being run by societies and individuals in the holy city. The suggestion will be forwarded to the head office.”