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Global Sikh Council urges Pakistan to restore heritage structure
The Council warns the historic Sikh memorial in Gujranwala faces collapse without urgent restoration.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 24, Sep 2025
- 16:29 EDT
- 13
President Kanwaljit Kaur and secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal / Global Sikh Council
The Global Sikh Council (GSC) on Sept. 24 called on Pakistan to urgently restore the ‘Samadh’ of Sardar Mahan Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, after the historic monument in Gujranwala suffered damage during recent heavy rains.
The memorial, built in 1837 by the Maharaja in Sheranwala Bagh to honor his father, saw its octagonal base partially collapse, leaving the central dome and adjoining structures in danger of further damage.
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The GSC warned that the deterioration has created safety risks for residents and for students at a nearby girls’ school. President Lady SinghKanwaljit Kaur and Secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal urged Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to intervene without delay.
“The ‘Samadh’ of Mahan Singh is a vital part for Sikhs and the Punjabi heritage. Its preservation is not only important for the Sikhs but also for the cultural pride of Gujranwala and Punjab as a whole,” they said in a joint statement. The Council stressed that the site must be conserved in its original form so future generations can connect with this chapter of history.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board has confirmed that its technical teams have inspected the site, erected safety barriers, and begun preliminary measures to stabilize the structure. Authorities have also moved to temporarily relocate classes of the nearby school as a precaution. Officials said a consultant would be appointed to prepare a restoration plan and no casualties were reported from the collapse.
While welcoming assurances from the ETPB chairman regarding restoration, the GSC pressed for timely and expert-led work. Dr. Kaur added that the Council was ready to collaborate with Pakistani authorities in the effort, calling on the Punjab government and local representatives to extend full support.
The damage has highlighted longstanding concerns about heritage neglect in Pakistan. While the ETPB has overseen maintenance of major Sikh shrines, many other historic sites have steadily deteriorated over decades. The Samadh of Mahan Singh, heritage advocates argue, now stands at a critical stage.
Pakistan is home to more than 190 Sikh shrines and gurdwaras of historic importance, including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak.
In recent years, initiatives such as the Kartarpur Corridor have demonstrated efforts to improve access and preservation, yet experts note that dozens of lesser-known monuments remain vulnerable to decay and natural calamities.
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