Samadhi of Ranjit Singh Lahore | Sher- e- Punjab Ranjit Singh’ final resting place
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born in 1780 in Gujranwala. He was named Ranjit Singh by his father Mahan Singh, the Sikh sovereign. Ranjit Singh had his first experience of fight when he was barely ten years old. It was Sahib Singh Bhangi (they were called bhangis as they use to slurp Bhang / weed all the time) of Gujarat who refused to pay honor to Mahan Singh and his domain, and was attacked by him. Mahan Singh died in 1792 when Ranjit Singh was only 12 years old. As he was too young to supervise the dealings of the state his mother Raj Kaur become his custodian. Ranjit Singh learnt travel and shooting in early years of his life. As per Sikh History, it was July 7, 1799 when victorious Ranjit Singh entered Lahore. On April 12 1801, Ranjit Singh affirmed himself Maharaja of Punjab. Here are the details of Samadhi of Ranjit Singh Lahore.
A Sikh Mausoleum:
Ranjit Singh, the one-eyed Sikh sovereign of the Punjab ruled from 1801-1839. The kingdom of Punjab was the successor state of glorious Mughal Empire. Along with the people he was recognized as Sher-e-Punjab the lion of Punjab. He will not only go beyond many of the traditions of the Mughal court, but also construct the buildings utilizing fundamentals of the Mughal monuments. Historic books affirm that even however he had under enemy control the castle of the Mughals, he is said to have not at all seated himself on the throne in the castle. The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh I am inscription about is the burial chamber of the same admired Sikh sovereign, Sher-e-Punjab. It is situated near the Lahore fortress and Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and banks upon the only accessible Mughal period gateway, the Roshnai Gate. Its construction was established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s son, Kharak Singh, on the place where Ranjit Singh’s body was cremated, and was finished by his youngest son, Duleep Singh, in 1848.
Sikh and Muslim architectural styles:
The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh is a stunning combine of Hindu, Sikh and Muslim architectural styles. It has gilded goblet domes, cupolas and a composite paling surrounding the crown. The frontage of the entrance has imagery of Ganesh, Devi and Brahma, Hindu deity, cut in red rub down sandstone. The arena is greatly ornamented with Naga serpent top designs, an affluent and appropriate compliment to Hindu craftsmanship. The timber panels on the upper limit are roofed with blemished glass work and the walls have rich flower-patterned designs. The ceilings are ornamented with glass assortment work.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s remains are enclosed in a marble pot in the shape of a lotus, protected beneath a marble porch inlaid with pietra dura, in the centre of the last resting place. The Maharaja does not lie alone there. Surrounding him, in smaller knob-like urns, are the remains of four sati queens who burned alive on the pyre with their husband and other seven slave girls. The ashes of two pigeons, burnt while flying over the pyre, also have their rest in the Samadhi. This Samadhi was initially built on eight pillars. Owing to reduction of the building in excess of time crack appear in the pillars. The British management, below the instructions of Sir Donald Macleod, behind schedule Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, straight bulky iron charms around all the old pillars and raise eight supplementary pillars. The entire building is now hold upped by sixteen pillars. In the same composite are the Samadhis of Ranjit Singh’s son Kharak Singh and grandson Prince Nau Nihal Singh who had built the Haveli Nau Nihal Singh now known as Victoria School.
Sikh Yatrees (pilgrims)
The ownership of this place is with the Evacuee belief Board. The all together, which also has the place of pilgrimage of Guru Arjan Mal the fifth Guru of the Sikhs is not easily reached by the public and is not a visitor site. One has to road through more than a few permissions and safety checks before reaching inner part of the compound. All the way through its presence, the assignment of this Samadhi shows the echelon of easiness and holy harmony amongst the people of Pakistan.