Ram Bagh is a garden built during the reign of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh (13 November 1780 – 27 June 1839), popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab or "Lion of Punjab", was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. He s ...
in
Amritsar,
Punjab, India
Punjab (; ) is a state in northern India. Forming part of the larger Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, the state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the north and northeast, Haryana to the south and southeast, and ...
. Ram Bagh palace also known as Ram Bagh Mahal, is a palace situated in the centre of this garden, which was used as the summer residence of Ranjit Singh. It was completed in 1831 and is named after the fourth
guru of the Sikhs,
Guru Ram Das, who founded the city of Amritsar. The whole Ram Bagh complex including the palace and other monuments is both a
state protected monument and a
monument of national importance
This article contains lists of Monuments of National Importance in India.
An Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 defines an "Ancient Monument" as follows:
A "Monument of National Importance" is designated by the Archaeological Survey o ...
. The complex is also at the centre of a long drawn legal battle, which has adversely affected its conservation and restoration.
History
![Ram bagh](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Ram_bagh.jpg)
Maharaja Ranjit Singh had a deep interest in the development and beautification of various areas under his rule. Amritsar being the spiritual and cultural centre of
Sikhism
Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...
, and located close to Ranjit Singh's capital, was visited often by him. Thus a palace, with a sprawling garden following the
Mughal pattern of
Shalimar Bagh in
Lahore
Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city ...
, was built to serve as residence of the Maharaja in the city. Construction began in 1819 and continued till 1831.
After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the subsequent collapse of the
Sikh empire
The Sikh Empire was a state originating in the Indian subcontinent, formed under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who established an empire based in the Punjab. The empire existed from 1799, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Lahor ...
, the garden and its buildings were taken over by
the British. The garden was renamed Company Bagh after British annexation.
The British leased several buildings in the complex to three elite clubs called the Amritsar Club, Lumsden Club and Service Club.
These clubs continued to occupy them after the end of British rule.
In 1997, the entire complex including the Palace as well as other buildings and monuments were declared ‘protected’ by the state government, due to threats such as encroachment and lack of conservation.
Following this, the complex was declared a
Monument of National Importance
This article contains lists of Monuments of National Importance in India.
An Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 defines an "Ancient Monument" as follows:
A "Monument of National Importance" is designated by the Archaeological Survey o ...
by the central government in 2004.
Administration and conservation
The garden is under the administration of the Municipal Corporation of the city. However, the restoration and conservation works are done by the
Archeological Survey of India. Some buildings are in the possession of three private elite clubs, to whom these buildings were leased by the British. The Municipal Corporation claims that the lease has ended. A case to remove these buildings from the occupation of the clubs is pending before the
Punjab and Haryana High Court
Punjab and Haryana High Court is the common High Court for the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh based in Chandigarh, India. Sanctioned strength of Judges of this High Court is 85 consisting of 64 ...
.
[ NGOs have also pleaded for the transfer of the possession of the garden from MC to ASI.
]
Major structures
Summer Palace
The main summer palace building is located in the centre of the garden. It has two storeys and a basement, and was used as residence of the Maharaja in summers when he would most often visit the city.
Hammam
To the northwest of the main palace lies a ''hammam-ghar'' or bath-house. A large pool is located inside the hammam.
Deorhis
A large and elaborate ''deorhi'' or gateway is located on the southern side of garden, facing towards the direction of the Harmandir Sahib. This served as the main entrance to the garden and palace. It was converted into a museum during British occupation of the gardens. A less elaborate second deorhi is located on the northern end.
Walls and watchtowers
The garden was originally enclosed by fourteen feet tall walls, though only the foundation of these walls survive today. Four watchtowers are located on the four corners or the garden.
Macchi Ghar
Located to the east of the summer palace, this building was originally a record room for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's darbar staff. It was turned into an aquarium during British occupation and thereafter called ''Macchi Ghar'' (fish house).
Munshikhana
It is located to the west of the summer palace and used by the staff of the Maharaja.
Baradari
A red sandstone '' baradari'' is located inside the garden.
![Maharaja Ranjit Singh Memorial Panaroma (Amritsar, Punjab)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Maharaja_Ranjit_Singh_Memorial_Panaroma_%28Amritsar%2C_Punjab%29.jpg)
Other structures
Over the years, several structures which were originally not part of the garden complex have come up inside the garden premises, including tennis courts, a skating rink, a children's park, food kiosks, and government offices.[ Most of these structures date to the British occupation, but many were added post-]independence
Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the statu ...
. Many of these structures endanger the garden and its heritage buildings.[ A memorial gallery called "Ranjit Singh Panorama" was built adjacent to the northwest corner of the garden in 2006.]
Gallery
File:Entrance gate of Rambagh palace, Amritsar, Punjab, India.jpg, Ram Bagh Deorhi, Amritsar
File:Front view of summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg, Front view.
File:Summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg, Left and front Side view.
File:Left side view of Summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg, Left side view.
File:Side view of Summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg, Left and back view.
File:Architect designing of balcony ,summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ,Amritsar, Punjab,India.jpg, Balcony.
File:Architect designing of summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ,Amritsar, Punjab,India.jpg, Grill on window.
File:Interior designing of summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg, Hallway.
File:Interior design of summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg, Interior design.
File:Description about Rambagh complex cum palace during British perod, Amritsar,India.jpg, museum
References
{{Reflist
Monuments and memorials in Punjab, India
Amritsar district
Palaces in Punjab, India