Gates’ restoration plan hailed

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 13

The announcement made by Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu regarding the revival of the 12 gates of the walled city has been welcomed by heritage lovers.

They have been demanding it for long. Residents say the vanished gates must be reconstructed as per their original design during the era of legendary king Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Only six gates, namely Hall Gate, Hathia Gate, Lahori Gate, Khazana Gate, Hakima Gate and Sultanwind Gate, have survived out of the 12 gates erected during the Sikh Misl and Maharaja’s period to protect the city from invaders. Over the years, the wall around the city has disappeared. The restored Ram Bagh Gate has also been inaugurated.

Of them, the Rambagh Gate has an old architecture of the pre-British period. These gates should be preserved in the traditional way by professional conservationists, opine residents. They say the government should be serious when it comes to preserving the heritage.

Heritage conservationist, Prof Balvinder Singh says the restoration of Ram Bagh Gate is excellent. The original Hall Gate, Hathi Gate, Lahori, Khazana and Hakima Wala Gate were demolished to be replaced with the colonial architecture by the then British rulers.

The moat, built around the 12 gates and the wall to defend the city during attacks, was filled and a road was constructed over it. “Modern brick replaced Nanakshahi brick, which indicates that it was built during the British period. Besides, arches also display British influence,” he remarks. Incongruous additions have also been made.

He says the reconstruction of new gates must be carried out as per the original design secured in paintings and pictures of India Office Records, the archives of the administration in London of the East India Company and the pre-1947 Government of India.