Mutual cooperation of all stakeholders must to restore heritage aesthetics of Diwan Todar Mal Haveli: Kultar Singh Sandhwan

Chandigarh, October 9, 2024: The preservation and restoration of the dilapidated 'Jahaz Haveli,' associated with Diwan Todar Mal—who defied Mughal orders to cremate the two younger Sahibzadas of the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib—requires immediate support and cooperation from all the stakeholders.

This clarion call was given by Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, during a meeting at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat. He stated, "Our objective is to conserve this significant heritage edifice of the Sikh Panth and dedicate it to the nation, allowing future generations to draw inspiration from our history."

Commending the efforts of the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation Punjab, he noted that this noble task would be achieved with the combined support of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Punjab Government's Tourism and Archaeology Department.

While commemorating Diwan Todar Mal's extraordinary courage, the Speaker recounted how Todar Mal purchased piece of land by laying down gold coins to perform the last rites of the younger Sahibzadas, defying Mughal orders when no one else dared to provide land for the cremation of the younger Sahibzadas, who were bricked alive on the charge of not accepting Islam.

S. Lakhwinder Singh Kahneke, President of the Heritage Foundation, shared that the foundation is dedicated to restoring Diwan Todar Mal Haveli to its original grandeur. He revealed that a 1911 photograph of the Haveli, obtained from the British Library in London, will guide efforts to recreate its 18th-century appearance. He stated that with the support and approvals from SGPC and the Punjab government, the foundation will proceed with the Haveli's authentic restoration and has acquired one and a half acres of land for this purpose.

During the meeting, the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation Punjab presented research conducted by a team of engineers specializing in the maintenance of heritage places and buildings. The team outlined their strategy for restoring the Haveli's historic appearance and addressed inquiries from SGPC and Punjab Tourism and Archaeology Department representatives regarding various aspects of the heritage structure.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included MLA Sri Fatehgarh Sahib S. Lakhbir Singh Rai, Tourism & Archaeology Department Director Mrs. Amrit Singh, SSP Dr. Ravjot Kaur Grewal, Maharani Preeti Singh of Nabha Riyasat, SGPC representative and manager of Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib S. Gurdeep Singh Kang, eminent lawyer Mr. H.C. Arora along with representatives from SGPC, the Punjab Tourism and Archaeology Department and the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation Punjab.