Rs 4.86 cr released for Pul Kanjri, Wagah post

Written by Varinder Walia, Tribune News Service

Friday, 20 July 2007

Amritsar The state government has released Rs 4.86 crore for the restoration of Pul Kanjri (associated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh), Serai Amanat Khan and Wagah joint checkpost with a view to promoting tourism. However, the administration is yet to receive a grant of Rs 10 crore for the restoration work of Ram Bagh and Gobindgarh Fort. Pul Kanjri, a town on the Amritsar-Lahore road, which was a big trade centre at that time, has been reduced to a tiny village now. Most of the villagers who had survived the bloodbath, a few days after Partition, migrated to safer places, especially Amritsar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had built a baradari where he used to stay on way from Amritsar to Lahore. A 12-foot-wide canal, now a small water channel, used to run along this town. According to residents, the canal used to carry water from Kahnuwan Chhamb to the Shalimar Gardens, Lahore, and was constructed by Emperor Shah Jehan. Once, while one of her Moran (nautch girl) was coming to this place, one of her shoes fell into the canal. She refused to dance until her demand to construct a bridge was accepted, which the Maharaja did. Since then, this place is known as Pul Kanjri. Similarly, the state government would also spend huge amounts on relics of a bygone era in the border belt. Serai Amanat Khan is famous for its ornamental gateway and glazed tile decorations. However, a beautiful “baoli” attached with a well has been ruined. It is situated in a small village, south-west of Amritsar. The serai had a beautiful gate constructed in the Mughal style of architecture. The tomb of Amanat Khan was surrounded by four minarets. The mosque near the tomb is decorated with Persian verses. During the Mughal period, the Badshai Road passed from Attari to Goindwal, via Serais Amanat Khan, Nurdin, Naurangabad and Fatehabad, all of which are situated in Tarn Taran. The serais are almost of the same design and dimensions and have water tanks. Comments (0) >> Show/Hide comments Write comment You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

 

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