Land for Prithviraj Chauhan research centre not identified in Taraori

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 16

Six years after the announcement made by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for establishing a monument and a research centre on Rajput warrior Prithviraj Chauhan in Taraori, the land for this ambitious project is yet to be identified. The authorities and community members are not able to fine land in Taraori, and now looking for the land in nearby villages — Padhana and Takhana.

Exploring other options

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A piece of land was identified, but it was under litigation. We are exploring other options also with the help of the community members. — Nishant Kumar Yadav, DC

Nothing done for maintenance of Fort

The fort of Prithviraj Chauhan has already been occupied by residents. We had met the CM and the Deputy Commissioner, and raised the issue of maintaining the archaeological value of this fort, but nothing has been done. — Col Davinder Singh (retd), Chief life patron, Maharana Pratap Samriti Bhawan Samiti, Karnal

The land was to be identified by community members with the help of the district administration and the rest of the work was to be done by the state government.

Taraori is a historical town where battles of Tarain were fought between Chauhan and Mohammad Ghori. Chauhan was killed after the second battle in the court of Mohammad Ghori.

There is a fort of Prithviraj Chauhan, which is lying in a dilapidated condition. It was built in around 1150 AD, said the community members. The demand for the restoration of this historical monument has been raised so many times by the people of the community, but it is still lying in poor condition. Lots of people, who came from Pakistan, started living there after the partition.

With an aim to make the young generation aware of the valour, and courage of the great Hindu emperor, Prithviraj Chauhan, against the invaders, CM Khattar had announced the monument and research centre during a vikas rally in Taraori on August 9, 2015.

The delay in the implementation of the CM’s announcement has led to resentment among the people. Members of the Rajput community have already approached the CM and the district authorities for the speedy establishment of the monument and research centre. They have even suggested land in the nearby villages also.

“The fort of Prithviraj Chauhan has already been occupied by residents. We had met the CM and the Deputy Commissioner, and raised the issue of maintaining the archaeological value of this fort, but nothing has been done. We have also suggested land in front of the fort where there is a water body. Besides, we have also suggested land in Takhana and Padhana villages, but still, it is not finalised,” said Col Davinder Singh (Retd), chief life patron, Maharana Pratap Samriti Bhawan Samiti, Karnal.

“The monument and research centre should be established, so that the young generation can be inspired by the great king,” said Singh.

Virender Singh Chauhan, Director, Haryana Granth Academy and BJP state spokesperson, said he had raised this issue with the CM and efforts were being made to get the land finalised on the national highway-44, but it is in litigation. “We have also raised the issue that this research centre should be established on the NH-44, so that it could attract more people,” said Chauhan.

Deputy Commissioner, Nishant Kumar Yadav, said a piece of land was identified, but it was under litigation. “We are exploring other options also with the help of the community members,” said the DC.