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Takht-e-Akbari heritage site in border area of Punjab in state of utter neglect

May 23, 2016 05:20 PM

Punjab News Express/Manan Saini
KALANAUR(GURDASPUR): Takht-e-Akbari, the place where Mughal Emperor Akbar was crowned and began his rule across India is one of the several important heritage sites in border areas of Gurdaspur district in Punjab which are lying in state of utter neglect. It is located in Klanaur, close to Indo-Pak border.

The Government apathy and negligence towards this precious heritage site is reflected in the narrow six-foot wide approach road to the monument, which is overshadowed by a cattle shed. The platform shields
have rusted beyond recognition. The Mughal Emperor Akbar the great (1556 - 1605) was coronated here, 2 km east of Kalanaur, following the death of Humayun in Delhi while he was climbing down the stairs of Din-I-Pannah library. At the time of the coronation Akbar was 13 years and 3 months old. He was then staying at Kalanaur with his tutor Bairam Khan.

In those days Kalanaur was a prosperous city, but today it has lost all its shimmer and is a sad reflection of its primitive glory. It may be recalled that former Union Minister M.S. Gill had promised to take
up the matter with the Ministry concerned. He had also expressed his resentment at the role of the Archaeological Survey of India. But till date nothing has been done to restore the glory to this heritage site.

A local resident Sadhu Singh said: “People come here with a lot of hope to see the coronation site of The great Mughal Emperor Akbar but there enthusiasm comes to an end when they see the two-step throne made of mortar, bricks and stone.” He further said that the Punjab Government should promote the monument which attracts a large number of tourists.The project could also generate employment, he added. The local authorities have done their job by putting up a huge board mentioning the history of the place. It is said that earlier the platform was surrounded by a water spring and flowers bloomed in the garden nearby. But that glory is a thing of the past. Today that area has been replaced with a cattle shed and is considered private property.

The residents are disappointed with Archaeological Department caretaker who rarely visits the place. A mosque built to commemorate Akbar’s coronation was being used to store chaff.

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