PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 8
It has been over three years since the Service Club handed over the possession of the ‘deorhi’ located at the entrance of the historic Ram Bagh (garden) to the Municipal Corporation, but its restoration work is yet to see the light of day.
Earlier, it was the Covid-induced lockdown and now its restoration work is stuck for want of necessary approval from higher authorities of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in New Delhi.
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The historical structure — deorhi or entrance gate — is situated in the northern end of the summer palace of legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Also known as Ram Bagh deorhi or Company Bagh deorhi, it is now crying for attention.
One of the projecting balconies decorated with ornamental floral designs in lime plaster has fallen, while cracks have appeared from different sides in the structure. The structure remained in the occupation of the Service Club for nearly a century.
Meanwhile, similar deorhi at the southern end of Ram Bagh deori is properly conserved and is currently under the occupation of the ASI, which runs its office from its premises. This deorhi comprises fortified citadel having the Darbar Hall, two pavilions on the eastern and western sides, two gateways on the northern and southern sides. Besides the faccedil;ade contains beautiful balconies.
Nevertheless, the faccedil;ade of the deorhi (vacated by the Service Club) needs urgent repair. An outer balcony has caved in, while cracks have appeared on different sides.
Sources in the ASI revealed that they have already written for the approval to senior officials in Delhi and the officials here were likely to get it within a couple of weeks.
An ASI official wishing not to be quoted said after getting the approval, tenders would be floated for supply of material required for the repair and restoration of outer faccedil;ade that has been in a dilapidated condition at present. It is likely to take one-and-a-half months for the completion of the entire process, he said. After this, they would again request the MC authorities to hand over the structure to them.
The ASI has written a number of times to the civic authorities to hand over the protected monument. At present, three British-era clubs — Service Club, Lumsden Club and Amritsar Club — are being run from the premises. Besides, food kiosks, concrete pathways, children’s park, skating rink, tennis courts and zonal offices of the Municipal Corporation have been playing a spoilsport as far as the historic bagh’s heritage significance is concerned.
The ASI and the Municipal Corporation had reached on an agreement, where the latter would remain the custodian of the garden, but the restoration of the heritage would be done under the ASI.
What a neglect
- The historical structure — deorhi or entrance gate — is situated in the northern end of the summer palace of legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh
- Also known as Ram Bagh deorhi or Company Bagh deorhi, it is now crying for attention
- One of the projecting balconies decorated with ornamental floral designs in lime plaster has fallen, while cracks have appeared from different sides in the structure.
- The structure remained in the occupation of the Service Club for nearly a century.
Heritage structures in a shambles in Amritsar
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