AMRITSAR, Aug 12 — Chariot wheels that date back to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time have been lying dumped under broken furniture in a room of Government Primary School for the past more than two years.

The school was once the “shahi astabal” (royal stable).

The treasure was recovered by staff of the school when an outer wall of the school was demolished to construct a marriage palace.

The “shahi astabal” is among the few buildings that exist as most buildings were demolished during the British time. The British Government demolished all historical gates except for Hathi Gate and got these reconstructed. Another building adjoining Baba Atal was demolished recently during ‘kar seva’.

The “shahi astabal” is being illegally occupied by CIA staff. It also houses the municipal printing press. A portion is being unauthorisedly used as the domestic quarters of the chowkidar of the primary school.

As neither the municipal corporation nor the Archives Department bothered to preserve the place, a headmaster of the school got a portion of the “shahi astabal” demolished.

According to staff members, the headmaster, who died of a cancer two years ago, had found as many as five chariot wheels following the demolition of the wall. He approached the corporation and the archives authorities. However, none showed interest.

What is worse, the municipal corporation has constructed urinals on both sides of the gate of the historical building. A wine shop and many fruit shops have mushroomed adjoining the “shahi astabal”.

The dilapidated building is a danger to the lives of tinytots and staff of the Primary School. The roof of most rooms has caved in. The building is infested with snakes and worms.

The Mayor of the corporation, Mr Subash Sharma, said to preserve heritage was the duty of the Archives Department. He however, said he would endeavour to deliver the chariot wheels to Maharaja Ranjit Singla Memorial.