Amritsar, one of the main cities of the state of Punjab, is home to some of the finest historical buildings that stand witness to times when legacy changed hands during history’s most important period. It was mainly the great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the British colonial era that gave the imposing structures to this city.
Photographer Navalpreet Singh walks down the memory lanes in Amritsar streets wielding his camera and capturing the fading beauties that stand imposing in various pockets of the walled city around Sri Harmandir Sahib – globally known as Golden Temple, Amritsar.
The original architecture of the Qila Ahluwalia (which was owned by Ahluwalia Misl chief) is missing, but the colonial structures are in good condition. The centre government has restored remaining buildings, gates and outer facade of Qila Ahluwalia under the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) in 2020. Panoramic view of historic Qila AhluwaliaThe facade of Qila Ahluwalia. Qila Ahluwalia has experienced significant damage in the past. Old Structures near to historic Qila Ahluwalia. Some other old traditional buildings near by this Qila, Most of them built in medieval of 18th centuryOld and historical Qila Ahluwalia buildings feature font facade paintings that await attention and preservation.In dilapidated state lies Thakurdwara Raja Tej Singh Temple. It is located in Katra Jamadar area. The temple was constructed in 1851 by Raja Tej Singh, a nephew of Jamadar Khushal Singh, a high ranked officer in the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Original mural art work at Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai. There are a series of murals illustrating the life of Guru Nanak Dev based on Janamsakhi tradition. A major portion of the murals was damaged during karsewa (restoration work) conducted by the SGPC in the ’90s. However, in the absence of any efforts to preserve the rich legacy Amritsar losting is historic structures, art and heritage values.
Dr Balvinder Singh, former Head, Guru Ramdas School of Planning of GNDU, Advisor, Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation and heritage consultant with the Punjab government says that the walled city is losing its glory due to the negligence on the part of the administration as well as the people living around it.
Some other old traditional buildings near by this Qila, Most of them built in medieval of 18th centuryThe beauty of Indo British Architecture under the cloud of demolition
Increased commercial activities like converting residential areas into hotels and shops, the immediate need was to freeze the clause for Change of Land Use (CLU) in the walled city, especially areas leading to the Golden Temple and nearby residential areas. He pressed upon Heritage Cell at the administration level to take care of all the historic buildings and heritage of the Amritsar
