The historic military fort situated in the heart of Amritsar was also regarded as the heart of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s kingdom. It was popularly known as Bhangian da Killa (fort of the Bhangis); after its 18th century founder Gujjar Singh Bhangi, who belonged to Bhangi Misl Dhillon Jats rulers. Sandhawalia Jat ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh renamed it Gobindgarh Fort in the early 19th century after the 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh. It housed the largest mint and armoury of the kingdom and is the same place where the world famous Kohinoor diamond was kept during the Maharaja’s time. The British took charge in 1850 and later in 1947, it became a shelter camp for refugees of the Partition. Thereafter, the fort was handed over to the Indian Army. It is one of the most popular and visited heritage forts in Punjab.
Shoot to thrill The replica of Bhangia-di-Toap or the gun belonging to the Bhangi Misl, also known as Zamzama, is a heavyweight launcher weighing 80 pounds and measuring 14-ft. It was one of the largest-ever once made in the subcontinent; which was cast in Lahore. The cannon has two Persian inscriptions. The longer one conveys “a destroyer even of the strongholds of the heaven.” In 1762, the Bhangi chief, Hari Singh, attacked Lahore and took possession of it.
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