Heritage status - Amritsar's Qila Ahluwalia: Original architecture missing, but colonial structures intact

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 15

In 1762, when Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durani) attacked the Golden Temple and demolished the main building, the Misl sardars recaptured the city soon and secured the shrines and residential areas with military prospective. They constructed gates and military posts to secure the shrine and localities.

Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783), one of the prominent leaders of Sikh Misls in 1763, had constructed the military fortress to protect the Golden Temple.

A major portion of the historic Qila Ahluwalia, has faced demolition in the past. Now, only two of its gates and a small portion of the fort remains.

Some other buildings in the historic qila were tampered with during the British era and later. Fortunately, a few more than one-and-a-half a century old buildings along with the wooden façades and frescos are intact. The decorated wooden balconies attract visitors. The original architecture of the qila is missing, but the colonial structures are in good condition.

The Centre conduced restoration of these remaining buildings, gates and outer facade of Qila Ahluwalia under the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) in 2020.

The decedents of Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia of Kapurthala state used to stay in the qila till the death of Fateh Singh Ahluwalia in 1836. Later, during the regime of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), he invited Marwari businessmen from Sikar district of Rajasthan and settled them in Katra Aluwalia, a locality around the qila. During the initial years of the 20th century, the British government auctioned Qila Ahluwalia. The Marwari businessmen bought it and converted into houses and shops.

“A major portion of the old structure of fort was demolished and new buildings were constructed. These buildings of colonial architecture have decorated shades and balconies. The frescos on the ceiling are still visible. The government has restored the frescos recently,” said Dr Balwinder Singh, ex head, Guru Ramdas School of planning, GNDU.