Tarn Taran Diary: INTACH promoting heritage sites in border district of Tarn Taran
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is working to promote heritage sites in Tarn Taran by creating awareness about conserving its customs. The INTACH has identified more than 300 built heritage sites in Tarn Taran for preservation. It is the Tarn Taran area which was on route to Lahore, connecting Delhi. The then rulers would often visit the area. It is because of this that so many buildings belonging to that era call for preservation.
To save, preserve and conserve the rich culture, heritage and historical perspective of Tarn Taran, the Punjab chapter of INTACH has taken a major initiative to carry out a listing of all the tangible heritage places in the district. The INTACH started this work just a year back with the aim of preserving the architectural heritage. Maj Gen Balwinder Singh, VSM (retd), Punjab state convener of INTACH, felt it was important for the future generations so that they are aware of their roots. He said that there are huge possibilities of protecting culture and heritage for the younger generation so that they respect the ancestors and understand cultural diversification and the need to adapt to the ever changing cultural aspirations of the younger generation. INTACH experts from Delhi, conservator and architect Neha Mallick and architect Anjora Khatri, were assigned the task of carrying out the listing of tangible heritage sites of the district. They assured that saving tangible heritage in Punjab is important, being a border state and also because of the richness of its cultural heritage. The success of an on-site visit was made possible through the efforts of Dr Baljit Kaur, INTACH convenor for Tarn Taran, along with INTACH Punjab listing coordinator Harpreet Singh Bal, who played an important role in making the task a success. The district spans the international Indo-Pak border in the west to the Beas river in the east. The fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Arjun Dev Ji, laid the city’s foundation back in 1596, thus leading to the formation of the Tarn Taran Darbar Sahib. The region has had a few different ruling dynasties, from the Mughals to the Dhillon clan from Bhangi Misls and the colonisers dating back to the 17th century up to India’s independence in 1947. Tarn Taran was the centre of the Sikh community with most population being Sikh before the partition. The severance with Pakistan created a painful divide in culture, homes, families and heritage. The district still gives us a glimpse of the grand Gurudwaras, mahals, kothis and various khuhs (wells) in the region, irrespective of the trauma it has endured through centuries. Every settlement had a unique approach towards keeping its heritage intact, influenced by the traditional knowledge systems and cultural activities. The layout within each settlement showcased an old Gurudwara built on a higher terrain, around which an area was allotted for havelis and kothis. Each haveli would use the adjacent area to bake their Nanak Shahi bricks for their respective structure, the pit was later used as a discharge pond by the settlement. The havelis were divided into sections or quadrants, with ownership passed on with each generation. These havelis would be further divided with families growing. Some families had the awareness to safeguard their heritage, while others preferred to relocate to the urban setting, thus leading to a large number of abandoned and dilapidated havelis and kothis in the area. In Fatehbad, Verowal, Naurangabad, Noordi, Sarai Amanat Khan, Chabal, Khalra and Khemkaran, there are a large number of heritage sites worth preserving. For a more fulfilling future for all, fostering a healthy traditional knowledge system and built heritage will have a direct impact towards safeguarding our cultural past. INTACH believes that preserving heritage enriches our lives, and India, including the beautiful state of Punjab, is a testament to this principle.
Residents worried as toilet raises a stink
The administration is totally unconcerned over the foul smell emanating from the public toilet located outside the Government Elementary (Centre), School, Char Khambha Chaunk, in Tarn Taran town. Besides the school, there is the historic Madan Mohan Mandir in front of the toilet, besides the regular flow of commuters on the road. The shopkeepers nearby said that the stink created by the toilet was unbearable. Shamsher Singh, Sanitary Inspector of Nagar Council, Tarn Taran, said the toilet is not in working condition as the doors and other equipment have been stolen. Even then, the people continue to use it though there is no water supply. Besides, garbage from the nearby localities has been dumped in front of the toilet which was creating nuisance for the passersby. Sanitary Inspector Shamsher Singh said the toilet would be rebuilt and the problems of the residents
would be resolved soon.
Quite a long wait for Sadhu Singh
Sadhu Singh (74), a resident of Patti, is often seen in the office complex of the Deputy Commissioner, Tarn Taran. He is the victim of the Delhi riots (1984). In 2007, he applied for the Red Card for due facilities from the state of Punjab. But ever since, his application has neither been rejected nor accepted. He has not been given the Red Card despite hundreds of visits to the DC office. No one knows when his long wait would end.
