Faridkot Fort stands defenceless
Raj Kumar Aggarwal

THE fort and town of Faridkot, about 40 km south of the Indo-Pak border, was founded about 800 years ago by Raja Mokulsi, who named it Mokulhar. Some years later, when the great Sufi saint Sheikh Baba Farid visited it, its name was changed to Faridkot.

For many years Faridkot was constantly subjected to raids by rival chieftains. Maharaja Ranjit Singh also regarded this fort as a place of strategic importance and surrendered it unwillingly to the British in 1809. Only after 1837 did the town begin to expand and was made the capital of the newly constituted state of Faridkot by the British. The merger of Faridkot with Pepsu in 1948 dealt a severe blow to the importance of the city. From the capital of an independent state it was reduced to the position of administrative headquarters of a subordinate unit.

However, it regained its past glory at the hands of former President of India, the Late Giani Zail Singh, who was the then Chief Minister of Punjab. He carved Faridkot as the 12th district of the state on August 7, 1972. The status of the fourth revenue division of Punjab was also given to this town by Harcharan Singh Brar, the then Chief Minister of the state, on January 26, 1996.

No doubt a number of educational and medical institutions like Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Dasmesh Dental College and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences have been set up at Faridkot, but, unfortunately, no sincere efforts have been made to maintain and preserve its ancient buildings, including Qila Mubarak.

According to the compiler of the Gazetter of Faridkot State (Lahore, 1914), the old fort was built by Raja Mokulsi on square-shaped land, measuring more than 10 acres. Around 1775, it was reconstructed by Raja Hamir Singh. The main building seen at present and other important structures were built around 1890 by Raja Bikram Singh (1842-1898) and by Raja Balbir Singh (1869-1906). Raja Bikram Singh, who ruled for 24 years, contributed a lot to Faridkot state. Raja Balbir Singh died in 1906 and was succeeded by Raja Barjinder Singh, who ruled up to 1918. The next and the last ruler of Faridkot state, Raja Sir Harinder Singh Brar Bans Bahadur, ascended the rajgaddi in 1918 after the death of Raja Barjinder Singh. On assuming power, he established many educational institutions and other important buildings in the town.

The beauty of this fort lies in its magnificent architecture. Elegantly designed in European style and constructed by skilled masons, it is a masterpiece of workmanship. Its floors, ceilings, walls and arched openings have been executed with artistic precision.

Fashioned out of small Nanakshahi bricks and lime mortar, more than 20-foot-high ramparts and large bastions (burjs) constructed for the security guards and to mount the guns are still safe and sound, thanks to the repairs carried out by the Maharawal Khewa Ji Trust, Faridkot. But the main building and other structures of the complex (except Sheesh Mahal and Moti Mahal) need massive repairs and restoration work.

The entrance to the fort is provided through a beautiful multi-storeyed deori. It has a 14-foot-wide and 22-foot-high heavy wooden gate, which was used as a protective shield during war. The splendid artistic pattern on the ceiling of the deori is praiseworthy and attracts visitors. On the first floor of the deori is the beautifully designed Sheesh Mahal or hall of mirrors. The concave and convex glasswork is quite romantic. Some beautiful paintings decorate the walls. The desire of Raja Sir Harinder Singh to have a large museum in Sheesh Mahal is yet to be fulfilled. To make the fort impressive, two big guns placed in the baradari welcome visitors to the fort. The main building and other structures of the fort have been constructed on a ground which is 12 feet above the main road and entrance gate, for safety reasons.

The huge building of Moti Mahal built to the south of the entrance, now houses the offices of the Maharawal Khewa Ji Trust (which looks after the properties of Raja Harinder Singh). Gurdwara Sahib and Modi Khana (military barracks) have been constructed to the north of the entrance. For the protection of the royal family from air attacks, an air-raid shelter was also built in the fort complex.

The 34-foot-wide, 90-foot-long and 22-foot-high Darbar Hall of the main building has been built in such a way that it remains cool even during the hot season. The architectural beauty of the Darbar Hall dazzles one and all. Although the false ceiling stands damaged at many places, the artistic work done on the false ceiling in plaster of Paris and woodwork executed on big arches of the Darbar Hall is unmatched. Carved wood panelling on the Darbar Hall walls and its marble flooring still look graceful. But artistically designed wooden chhajjas built around the main building on the first floor are unsafe. The fort building, except Sheesh Mahal and Moti Mahal which is vacant these days, was earlier used by the District Administration. It did not pay any rent for a long period even after the dissolution of the state.

The Archaeological Survey of India maintains around 3600 ancient buildings all over the country and 30 important historical buildings in Punjab, but it has not given protected status to Qila Mubarak. There are a number of historical buildings in Faridkot like the Civil Secretariat, Darbar Gunj, Clock Tower, Raj Mahal, Shahi Samadhan, Panchvati, Thakur Dwara, Gurudwara Godri Sahib and Tilla Baba Farid. If the town is developed as a tourist place, it could earn revenue.

According to available information, the repair and restoration work of the Darbar Hall is being entrusted to a Delhi-based company. The company has worked for UNESCO and other organisations. It will complete this gigantic task in 15 months and it will cost the trust approximately Rs 50 lakh in the first phase.

Aagman Purb of Baba Farid is celebrated every year from September 15 to 23 by the Faridkot District Cultural Society with great fun and fare. The Government of India has sanctioned national status to this Farid Mela. People from all walks of life participate in it. Devotees also pay obeisance on every Thursday at Tilla Baba Farid. History or civilisation of a town can be studied to a great extent through its temples and forts. The fort should be opened to public on such occasions and information boards carrying the history of the fort and town should be fixed inside and outside the fort for the knowledge of the public.