Centuries-old monuments remain neglected in city

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 17

The world has been observing the World Heritage Day for the last 36 years, but the state government, district administration and socio-religious organisations appear to have been least concerned over the heritage sites and monuments in the 442-year-old holy city.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) often faces criticism for “not taking care” of the heritage of Guru period (1574-1708), Sikh Misl period (1716-1799) and Khalsa Raj under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1802-1839). Recently, a ‘deodhi’ at Tarn Taran Sahib was demolished. Kar sewa organisations have changed facades of several historic buildings inside the Golden Temple complex.

Much of the city’s structure, founded by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, has changed presently. The new building style has replaced the old one.

A large number of centuries-old buildings have been eliminated to construct hotels around the Golden Temple in the last decade. Conservation experts say, “The government has failed to make any policy to encourage heritage tourism as the city has a great potential for religious tourism. Old buildings can be preserved and used for hospitality.”

A large number of monuments belong to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and British era which still exist in the city, but in a pathetic condition. Some of the buildings have been recently renovated but several are still facing the mafia threat.

The 200-year-old wall, which was reconstructed by Britishers, has almost been encroached upon by vendors and traders. Permanent encroachments have covered the wall. “The government appears to be helpless to restore the wall as it doesn’t want to annoy their voters. The preference of politicians is votes, not heritage,” says advocate Kuljit Singh.

The historical Ram Bagh, which is a protected monument by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), is in a shambles. Most of the 84-acre garden has been occupied by private clubs, encroachers and individuals. The project to revive the Chahar Bagh of Ranjit Singh era has been hanging fire as a historical watch tower is in the possession of a private club.

Balwinder Singh, senior conservation expert, who has been making people aware of their heritage since 1992 after his study from the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies, University of York, says, “The International Council on Monuments and Sites had initiated the World Heritage Day in 1982 with the aim of creating awareness among people about heritage sites. We should make the sangat aware to preserve the Sikh spiritual heritage sites. Kar sewa organisations have done a major damage to the Sikh heritage in the past. Creating awareness is the only solution.”