CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh would on Tuesday reach Amritsar on his third official visit to Punjab. He would throw open the the 250 year old historic Gobindgarh Fort to public. The people of Punjab have an emotional attachment with this Fort.

Unfortunately the historical and emotional value of this historical monument has gone unnoticed for
generations. This monument was kept out of bond for over 150 years from people of Punjab who has emotional attachment with the events related to Gobindgarh Fort. Tt had remained under the control of Army since 1849, when Punjab was annexed by the British after the demise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

It is expected that Fort would be thrown open to the civilians who would now be able to see great artifacts
of historical value preserved in the monument. The fort was handed over to Indian Army in October 1948, a
year after the Partition of the country. It was last occupied by 176 Field Regiment of the artillery.

The legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh strengthened the fortification in order to keep his treasurers and
treaties under safety. The specially constructed ‘Toshakhana’ in the centre of the fort would also
store large quantities of grains and provisions for the 12,000-strong army.

The fort occupies unique place in the India’s history. Built in 1760, it was called Bhangian Da Kila (Bhangis
was one of the 12 Sikh misls).

According to historians, in 1808, the fort was known as the fort of Gujjar Singh Bhangi. Later it was
re-built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh with the help of Jodh Singh. The Maharaja strengthened fortification of
the fort to keep his treasures and treaties in safety. The specially constructed toshakhana, in the Centre of
the fort, also stored a large amount of grains and provisions for the 12,000-strong army.

The British Army had added Darbar Hall, Hawa Mahal and Phansi Ghar (hanging place) to the fort after the
annexation of Punjab. After the Partition, the fort provided temporary shelter to a large number of
refugees from Pakistan.

The Phansi Ghar located in Gobindgarh Fort is the place where a large number of city residents, had lost
their dear ones during summary trials under the British rule.

It would help residents gather information about their relatives hanged to death in the Phansi Ghar. The
Jallianwala martyrs Association formed by freedom fighters have been demanding to convert the Phansi
Ghar into memorial for the martyrs of massacre. Many parts of the fort are in a state of decay and
crumbling. The ‘Hawa Mahal’ which once housed the office and residence of Gen O. Dyer, the British Army
Commander responsible for the infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, is in an extremely dilapidated
condition. It is reported the General got sadistic pleasure in watching patriots being hanged in ‘Phansi
Ghar’ which is situated just opposite hisresidence-cum-office.

An official note of the Army about Gobindgarh Fort reads, “The fort was constructed on a square pattern
with parameter of 1500 square meters with two strong gates, four large bastions and well-defined rampart.
The majestic entrance has been named as ‘Nalwa Gate’ after the great Sikh warrior. The other end of the
gate is known as ‘Keelar Gate’ and it is rumoured that from its close proximity existed an escape tunnel
connecting it to the Lahore tunnel.  However, they couldn’t locate such a tunnel”.

Beside Gobindgarh Fort there are several other historical monuments that have been ignored by state
and centre governments.