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Qila Gobindgarh:A formidable history dying in its wall The history is breathing its last in the formidable walls of Qila Gobindgarh,thanks to the bureaucratic hassles,red tapism and poor political will. In 2006, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister personally handed over the possession of Qila to then Chief Minister, Punjab Amrinder Singh. Six years have passed; the project is still lying in limbo.The snail paced work has dashed the hopes that it will ever open for public visit. Myriad proposals were given for its revitalization. Few preferred to rejuvenate it as a fort only whereas some mooted an idea to transform it into the five star hotel or make it a visitor’s fort to hold royal marriages here. Some were strictly want it to preserve it as the historical monument only for tourists’ attraction.Six years have passed but till now, the never ended ‘wait’ has disappointed all. At times funds crunch was the biggest hindrance and sometimes it was bureaucratic obstacles. Confusion in its history has also held responsible for its delay. And now fake promises to open it soon are irritating the history lovers even more. Will it ever open for public visit, is still a mysterious question.It is pertinent to mention here that after taking its possession in 2006, Punjab government decided to develop this historical monument as the major tourist attraction by restoring its immaculate glory. The funds of Rs 2.50 crores were given for its rejuvenation. Myriad proposals were given for its revitalization. Few preferred to rejuvenate it as a fort only whereas some mooted an idea to transform it into the five star hotel or make it a visitor’s fort to hold royal marriages here. Some were strictly want it to preserve it as the historical monument only for tourists’ attraction.Six years have passed but till now, the never ended ‘wait’ has disappointed all. Renowned historian and researcher Surinder Kochar said that he was more worried that government would open it in which way. “The department is linking its history with General Dyer, perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagah carnage but its real roots are lying in Maharaja Ranjit Singh” he said. He further added that he had also written to CM for sorting out the confusion about its history first. “From past several years, we are just hearing the false promises to open it soon, but the project in six years have moved little” he lamented. Now, the conversation and restoration work of fort is carrying out by Punjab Tourism Board. Balraj Singh, District tourism officer said the process was on. “We are hopeful that the fort will be open for public visit in January though it will take 3-4 years to complete the restoration work wholly” he said. History behind Qila Gobindgarh Accourding to Mr. Kochhar - A peep into the history reveals that the fort was constructed in 1760 by Bhangi misl and it was known as ‘Bhangian da Qila’. Then Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered it in 1825. He named it ‘Qila Gobindgarh’ after the name of tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Then in 1845, Britishers used it to house their army. Then in 1948, it was taken over by Indian Army. Due to fund crunches and its ill maintenance, Army handed over its possession to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who in turn handed it over to Punjab government in 2006. Gobindgarh Fort is a historic military fort located in center of the city of Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab. == Reclaiming of the Fort == Eight generation descendants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh have staked claim on Fort Gobindgarh, besides they have also demanded from the government to bring back the relics of Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh empire, from UK and cremate here according to the Sikh rituals. Jaswinder Singh , seventh generation descendant of Rattan Singh, the youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh from his second wife Raj Kaur, along with other descendants, including Harvinder Singh, Tejinder Singh and Surjit Singh met chief secretary, cultural affairs, archeology and museum department in Chandigarh to stake their claim. He claimed that they were the legal heirs of the fort which was made during the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh . He said they had also submitted government records in which their names had appeared. Some of the documents include sajra nasbe, kursi nama (which proves that Rattan Singh was born from the second wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) painting of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his son Rattan Singh . He claimed that they were also the owners of Bazar Gadweian, Katra Dal Singh , in front of main entrance of Golden Temple . Jaswinder Singh, who works with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee said: " My earnest plea goes to the Punjab government that the families who gave full support in enriching the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh through historical roles, their services and sacrifices are required to be appreciated in adequate measures". In order to earmark the genuine heirs, he said, a high-level committee of historians need be constituted; thereby, to bring those families in recognition. "It is need of the time to consolidate the history with no more letting it lying scattered. It must be compiled in proper order for research in future times" he said. He said the family was of view that the moral remains of Maharaja Dalip Singh be brought here and cremated as par Sikh rituals. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Gobindgarh Fort」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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