125-yr-old Shahi Samadhan to be restored by year-end

Sushil Goyal

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, March 22

The Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, has begun renovating 16 samadhis to preserve the 125-year-old ‘Shahi Samadhan’ of the erstwhile Jind state’s rulers.

Of the 16 samadhis, 14 were constructed over 125 years ago with bricks and lime-surkhi (brick powder), while two were built around 60-65 years ago with marble, etc.

Some of these samadhis are of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s maternal grandfather Maharaja Gajpat Singh and maternal uncle Maharaja Bhag Singh, Maharaja Fateh Singh, Maharaja Sangat Singh, Maharaja Sarup Singh, Maharaja Ranbir Singh and Maharaja Rajbir Singh. All these samadhis are situated in a complex outside the Nabha Gate here.

Rajasthan-based construction company “Rajputana Constructions Private Limited” started the renovation in the last week of December 2014. The work that is estimated to cost Rs 1.32 crore will be completed by the end of the year.

Forty masons and labourers from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are carrying out the work. A consultant of the department said lime, surkhi, gur, guggal, methi and small pieces of jute thread would used to repair the samadhis.

He said the structures of the samadhis would not be rebuilt. He said a portion of the boundary wall of the complex was also being constructed in its original pattern.

Engineers of the department have also been visiting the site every week to monitor the work.