By Muhammad Luqman
A life-size sculpture of Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been placed outside the Sikh Gallery at Lahore Fort on the eve of 180th death anniversary of 19th century Sikh ruler.
This sculpture will sustain 35 to 50 years and it would be maintained annually. The life-size statue of Sikh Punjabi ruler is first of its kind in South Asia.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh in sculpture is sitting on his favorite Arabic horse named Kahar bahar, which was gifted to him by King Dost Muhammad khan, the founder of Barakzai dynasty in Afghanistan. Tiny-sized horse was very intelligent and very fast and became his favorite horse because Maharaja’s own height was 5.5 inch.
Around 465 Indian Sikh pilgrims are also coming to Lahore at Gurudawara Dera Sahib, which is also Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh where he was cremated, to attend the 180th death anniversary on June 29.
The sculpture has been made under the supervision of Faqir Kahana Museum Director Faqir Saifuddin. He said, “This sculpture is a tribute and homage to the son of the soil”.
Sharing the details about the sculpture, he said, “The sculpture is finished in fiber cold bronze material and matchless in its making in compare to other statues of Mahraja Ranjit Singh in this region”. It was completed in 8 months.
Faqir Saifuddin said “It is a moment of proud that being a Punjabi, I am part of this history. Also important because three members of my family Fakir Nooruddin, Fakir Azizuddin, and Fakir Imamuddin were emissaries to Maharaja Ranjit Singh .
“Lahore has rich cultural and religious diversity since centuries. Ranjit Singh was one important part of it
Sikh Heritage Foundation UK Director Boby Singh Bansal, who commissioned the sculpture, commented that, ‘History is in making. This is the first venture in Lahore Fort. We are extremely happy to be a part of this historic moment”.
On the 180th Death anniversary of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, Fakir Khana Museum (who has been serving the sikh heritage since 7 generations) has launched only 180 limited eddition bust sculptures of Maharajah Ranjit Singh for the connoisseurs of art and Punjab History lovers.
Pakistan has issued visas to 463 Indian Sikh pilgrims who are going to that country to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The visas issued by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi are in addition to the ones given to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from different parts of the world, according to media reports.
The Indian Sikh pilgrims will visit Pakistan to observe Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary from June 27-July 6.
Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year to observe various religious festivals and occasions.
