Covid casts shadow over Khalsa College museum

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 13

The inauguration of five galleries established at the Sikh History Research Centre, Khalsa College, that was completed in 2019, has been delayed by two years due to the pandemic. The galleries are a part of the museum established at the Sikh History Research Centre by Khalsa College that houses rare artifacts and manuscripts, paintings and other historical items from the 18th and the 19th century.

Dr Kuldip Singh Dhillon, in-charge, Sikh history and Research Department, Khalsa College, said the galleries were supposed to be open for public but due to lockdown, the inauguration got delayed. “We had completed the work on the restoration and curated the galleries back in November 2019. The process of restoration for manuscripts was being undertaken when lockdown was announced. We hope to open museum space for public soon.”

The centre was also undertaking restoration and conservation work for its collection of 650 Sikh manuscripts and documents of significance. Apart from this, expert conservationists from Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, and Sajjan Singh, convener, Sikh Heritage Foundation, Hyderabad, along with his team, had been working on the museum artifacts. Both the teams had to return as lockdown was announced. “We had completed work on the restoring weapon collection from Sikh Misl period while the conservation work on manuscripts is still going on.

In the past two years, the pace of the restoration work has been slow due to restrictions and safety protocol. Earlier, two different teams with three-four members were simultaneously carrying out work but now we are three people carrying out restoration of manuscripts,” said Ajaypal Singh, one of the conservationists working at the centre.

The centre has over 6,274 books, including rare books in English and Punjabi and hundreds of manuscripts and documents in Urdu, Sanskrit and Persian as well. The five galleries showcase the eras of Sikh Gurus, paintings by noted European and Indian artists, depicting Sikh rule, life of Sikh rulers such as Maharaja Ranjit Singh and rare manuscripts.

The weaponry display includes swords, guns and bows and arrows from 18th and 19th centuries. Besides, it also houses Ragamala paintings, details of Misl period and pictures of gurdwaras in Pakistan.