A File Photo of Heritage Haweli related to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Gujranwala, Pakistan
Amritsar, Punjab (January 10, 2011): As per certain media reports a Heritage Haweli related to Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjeet Singh located in Gujranwala (West Punjab) in Pakistan was today destroyed by a certain group of persons, who want to built a commercial shopping mall at that place.
Surinder Kochar, a historian based at Amritsar, today called a press conference at Ram Bagh, Amritsar to inform about the destruction of Haweli. Surinder Kochhar is said to have informed media persons that around 11:30 (IST) he received a call from his Gujranwala based friend who informed his about the happenings.
“My friend Mohammad Kasim Raifq, who lives near the Heritage Haweli called me at around 11:30 today and told me that Haweli of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh is being bulldozed by a group of persons.” Surinder is said to have told media.
Mohammad Kasim Raifq is said to have attempted to prevent the destruction along with others living in the vicinity but they were allegedly threatened by the land mafia involved in the destruction of the Haweli.
This Haweli was preserved as a protected heritage building by archaeological department of Pakistan, the news reports have added.
A view of Ropar Heritage site destroyed by Swaraj Mazda
It is notable few years back another historic site near Ropar (East Punjab) in India where Maharaja Ranjeet Singh had signed a bilateral treaty with the British, was destroyed by Sawraj Mazda. These destruction indicate it hard for the heritage of those nations to survive that have lost their state.