July

Rambagh is the only existing gate of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time. In the early 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh constructed a wall around the city to improve its fortifications, as well as to mark his unshared sway over the city that had come to serve as his second capital. The outer and inner walls were encircled by wide moats, and made of bricks.

Twelve gates with bridges on the moats controlled all traffic. Maharaja Ranjit Singh paid special attention to the Rambagh Gate. It was beautifully designed under the supervision of Faqir Aziz–ud-din, and served as the entrance to the palace from the city.

The building was being used by Punjab police at the time of conceptualization of the project. The police station was subsequently rehabilitated to undertake its conservation. The structural condition of the gate was in a state of great distress.

The works included removal of accretions and vegetation growing out of the ramparts, stitching of the cracks, redoing much of the masonry on the upper floor with nanakshahi bricks and lime mortar, and re-roofing of the upper and the lower floors in compatible materials. The edges of the historic gate continue to be encroached with shops around it. Contractor: Mr. Jaspal Singh.

Title of Project Rambagh Gate, Amritsar, District Amritsar Owner Municipal Corporation, Amritsar Funding Agency Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, through Department of Tourism, Government of Punjab Caretakers Government of Punjab Year of Commencement 2007 Year of Completion 2010