Galleries to come up at Khalsa College to preserve Sikh history

Divya Sharma
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 15

As many as five galleries will come up at the Sikh History Research Centre of Khalsa College to preserve history.

As part of the under construction museum, each gallery is dedicated to different aspects of Sikh history and rich heritage.

These galleries will showcase the eras of Gurus, their paintings, life of Sikh rulers such as Maharaja Ranjit Singh, prominent alumni of the college and rare manuscripts.

Meanwhile, restoration and conservation of historic weapons, including swords, guns and bows and arrows is being carried out by experts. The centre houses guns belonging to 18th and 19th centuries. Besides, it also houses a gun of a Mughal ruler’s relative.

These guns and war weapons have been treated with chemicals after the removal of rust. These have been preserved for future generations.

The restoration and conservation work is being carried out by Arm conservation expert Sadath Ali and his team. Ahmed Ali, former curator, Salarjung Museum, Hyderabad, and Sajjan Singh, convenor, Sikh Heritage Foundation, Hyderabad, are part of the team.

“The guns and war weapons have been treated with chemicals after a rigorous process. A life of 20 years has been given to these weapons and artefacts. We are using a Japanese technology in this process,” said Ahmed Ali.

“The Khalsa College management has decided to preserve the rare manuscripts, weapons, and other rare material. We have engaged a team of experts. We are trying to preserve these documents, weapons and manuscripts in its original form,” said Dr Mehal Singh, principal, Khalsa College.

The centre has a vintage sword of the police department, Patiala, Ragamala paintings, details of Misl period and pictures of gurdwaras in Pakistan. The authorities say a world-class museum will be ready within a few months.

“A number of scholars are consulting the centre. We have some rarest items. These galleries will have a well-documented collection of manuscripts and weapons displayed in a grand manner. It will be ready in a few months. Everything will be in a chronological order,” said Kuldeep Singh, in charge, Sikh History and Research Department, Khalsa College.