017. Rasulnagar - A Historical City: Battle Of Ramnagar, Residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, A Hindu Temple and Fort of Alipur Chatha.

Rasulnagar is a small but historically significant town in the Gujranwala District. It is situated near the River Chenab and was once a busy ford used to cross the river. I visited this town on March 16, 2011, in search of any monuments or historical remnants related to the Battle of Ramnagar.

Before going further, I’d like to share an interesting piece of history: the old name of this town was Ramnagar, and it was changed to Rasulnagar after independence — a fact that is widely known. However, the real surprise is this: when the Sikhs captured the town from the Chatthas in 1767, they changed its name from Rasulnagar to Ramnagar, possibly in honor of their fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das Ji. So, in reality, after independence, the original name — Rasulnagar — was simply restored.

During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the first of the three major battles was fought here on 22nd November 1848. The Khalsa army had taken positions on both sides of the Chenab to halt the advance of the British forces. The battle itself was not decisive, and the Sikhs eventually retreated toward Chillianwala, where another historic confrontation later took place. As expected, there were many casualties on both sides, and several British officers and soldiers were buried near the river. A cemetery still exists about a kilometer northeast of the town, located at 32° 20' 12.32" N, 73° 47' 30.10" E.

Graves of English army officers, killed in the battle of Ramnagar. (16.03.2011.)

ہم گاؤں کے مکینوں اور خاص طور پر باغبان برادری کے بزرگوں ار دیگر افراد کے مشکور ہیں، جنہوں نے ان قبروں کی حفاظت میں ہمارے ساتھ تعاون فرمایا۔ 

We are grateful to the residents of the village, especially the elders and other members of the Baghban (gardeners) community, who cooperated with us in the preservation of these graves.

B.A.C.S.A.

(British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia)

View of the small cemetery of Engish officers from the norther side. (16.03.2011.)

Plaques in memory of those who fell in the battle. (16.03.2011.)

IN MEMORY 

OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE CAVALRY ACTION NEAR THIS PLACE

ON THE

22ND NOVEMBER 1848

16 KILLED 64 WOUNDED & 10 MISSING. 

OFFICERS KILLED

BRIGADIER GENERAL C.R CURETON, C.B. COMMANIDING TEH CAVALRY DIVISION

LT. COL. W. HAVELOCK K.H. 14TH LIGH DRAGOONS

SUBADAR MAJOR MIR SHER ALI SIRDAR BAHADAR

8TH LIGHT CAVALRY (AGED 78)

DIED OF WOUNDS

CAPT. J.F. FITZGERALD, 14TH LIGHT DRAGOONS

DIED 26TH NOVEMBER 1848

IN MEMORY 

OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE CAVALRY ACTION NEAR THIS PLACE

ON THE

22ND NOVEMBER 1848

16 KILLED 64 WOUNDED & 10 MISSING. 

OFFICERS KILLED

BRIGADIER GENERAL C.R CURETON, C.B. COMMANIDING TEH CAVALRY DIVISION

LT. COL. W. HAVELOCK K.H. 14TH LIGH DRAGOONS

SUBADAR MAJOR MIR SHER ALI SIRDAR BAHADAR

8TH LIGHT CAVALRY (AGED 78)

DIED OF WOUNDS

CAPT. J.F. FITZGERALD, 14TH LIGHT DRAGOONS

DIED 26TH NOVEMBER 1848

THIS SITE WAS RESTORED WITH SUPPORT FROM BACSA, THE KING'S ROYAL HUSSARS,

AND EX-MEMBERS OF 14TH/20 KING'S HUSSARS, 2000.

SACRED

TO THE MEMORY

OF

BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARLES ROBERT CURETON, C.B.

ANJUTANT GENERAL, 16TH LIGHT DRAGOONS, QUEESNS TROOPS.

WHO FELL IN THE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SIKH TROOPS

NEAR THIS SPOT, ON THE 22ND NOVEMBER 1848.

WHEN IN COMMAND OF THE CAVALRY OF THE ARMY

UNDER GENERAL LORD GOUGH

AGED 60 YEARS

Probably the grave of Brigadier General C.R. Cureton. (16.03.2011.)

Another view of the cemetery, with residence of Mahraja Ranjit Singh in the background. (16.03.2011.)

As often happens, some discoveries are made purely by chance. I had a similar experience while searching for any monument related to the Battle of Ramnagar, when I came across a very beautiful house located right beside the cemetery. It turned out to be the summer residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, used between 1830 and 1837.

Unfortunately, the building was in a terrible state — little more than a ruin. Our collective apathy and neglect toward such a significant historical site shocked me, though sadly, it didn’t surprise me, as I have witnessed similar disregard in many other places.

A few days ago, I read an article about this very site, which saddened me even more. It was written by Mr. Salman Rashid and published on 8 March 2013. The link is given below:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/517744/the-maharajas-residence/ 

SUMMER RESIDENCE OF 

MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH

A.D. 1830 - 1837. 

مقام رہائش مہاراجہ رنجیت سنگھ صاحب بہادر بموسم گرما

۱۸۳۰ء - ۱۸۳۷ء

A view from the south. (16.03.2011.)

View from the north. (16.03.2011.)

View from the north west. (16.03.2011.)

A closer view. I am sure you will not miss the cow dungs on walls. (16.03.2011.)

A view from the west side. (16.03.2011.)

My friend and cousin, Sahibzada Shah Sultan. (16.03.2011.)

 (16.03.2011.)

This is a beautiful piece of architecture. So far it is not occupied by anyone. I wish  some authority could take it under its care and restore it. It can be used as a rest house, motel or restaurant. I also came upon a Hindu Temple in the city. It is located at 32˚ 19' 38.26" N, 73˚ 46' 43.17" E. A few pictures are given below:

View of the temple from the main street. (16.03.2011.)

View of the Shikhara. (16.03.2011.)

View from a side lane. (16.03.2011.)

Beautiful windows of the temple. (16.03.2011.)

An inside view. (16.03.2011.)

Probably statues of Hindu gods were placed here. (16.03.2011.)

Beautiful decorative designs on the ceiling. (16.03.2011.)

Upper floor of the temple. (16.03.2011.)

A general view of  Rasulnagar.(16.03.2011.)

Rasulnagar is not difficult to reach. From Gujranwala city it is 40 kilometers away and just 7 kilometers west of Alipur Chatha. This is also a historical town. Its old name was Akalgarh and probably was named such by Sikh, after capturing it from Chatha chiefs in mid 1760s. On my way to Gujranwala, while passing through this town I saw a gate of the old fort of Akalgarh and took some pictures.It seems to be not just a gate but a small fort, with some rooms and four bastions. It is located at 32˚ 16' 00.65"N, 73˚ 48' 07.15" E.

A gate in Alipur Chatha. (16.03.2011.)

A closer view. (16.03.2011.)

Inside the gate, a room on the right side is currently being used as a libary. (16.03.2011.)

A bastioin in the small fortress.  (16.03.2011.)

Another bastion. (16.03.2011.)

Alipur Chatha is an old town and I was informed by the librarian  that many old houses exist in the town. Due to shortage of time I could not visit them. 

Tariq Amir

May 29, 2014.

Doha - Qatar 

Alipur Chatha has many buildings of historical value. One of them is the following:

067. Samadhi of Diwan Mulraj Chopra & A Beautiful Haveli In Alipur Chatha (Akalgarh)

View Rasulnagar in a larger map

016. Pharwala Fort - Islamabad

Ever heard of Pharwala? Maybe not. Though it's not far from Islamabad, it's often overlooked. So next time you’re planning an excursion, consider visiting it. Pharwala Fort is situated just 18 kilometers from the old airport signal on Islamabad Highway. After traveling about 2.5 kilometers toward Rawat, turn left onto Mehfooz Shaheed Road and continue eastward for 16 kilometers. You’ll arrive at Bagh Jogian, the nearest village to Pharwala Fort. From there, you'll need to walk about half a kilometer to reach the fort, which lies on the eastern bank of the Soan River.

The fort spans approximately 36 acres and is situated on elevated ground at 33° 37' 14" N, 73° 18' 02" E. As expected, the structure is in a dilapidated state — virtually a ruin. A few gates still stand and could potentially be restored to their original condition, though most of the fort's walls have crumbled.

Pharwala Fort has a long and rich history. It was once the capital of Hathi Khan Ghakhar’s dynasty. In 1519, Babur attacked the fort; although Hathi Khan was defeated, he later became an ally of the Mughals. The fort went into rapid decline after 1819 AD, when it was captured by the Sikhs.

Probably a tomb, on the way to Pharwala Fort. (5.4.2009.)

A distant view of a gate of the fort. (5.4.2009.)

View of another gate. (5.4.2009.)

Pharwala Fort across the river Soan. (5.4.2009.) 

River Soan. (5.4.2009.)

A portion of the wall of the fort. (5.4.2009.)

It's me in front of the fort. (5.4.2009.)

You will have to pass through the Soan, as Nasir sahib is doing. (5.4.2009.)

An imposing gate, the best maintained among all the fort’s entrances. (5.4.2009.)

North eastern wall. (5.4.2009.)

 A very old graveyard in the fort. (5.4.2009.)

 View from the north eastern corner, the highest point in the fort. (5.4.2009.)

Another gate of the fort. (5.4.2009.)

A gate on the south-eastern corner of the fort. (5.4.2009.)

Another view of the above-mentioned gate. (5.4.2009.)

Southern wall of the fort. (5.4.2009.)

 An old grave in the fort. (5.4.2009.)

Inside the fort. (5.4.2009.)

View of a gate from inside. (5.4.2009.)

A view from the south west. (5.4.2009.)

A closer view of the same gate. (5.4.2009.)

The Gakhars of this region were brave, resilient, and warlike people. They played a significant role in the history of this area — and indeed the whole of North Punjab, sometimes even exerting influence as far as Lahore. From the days of Mahmud of Ghazni to the rise of Sikh power, the Gakhars consistently shaped the course of events in this region. This vast and strongly built fort served as their capital. It is a huge fort, with strong stone-built walls stretching over 1.5 kilometers and enclosing an area of nearly 33 acres.

Another important landmark associated with the Gakhars is the Rawat Fort, located near Rawalpindi. You can find more details about it at the following link:

057. Rawat Fort

A few families live inside the fort in modest homes. There is also an old graveyard within the fort. Most of the land is covered with vegetation, giving it a wild and overgrown appearance. The northeastern corner is situated at a considerable height.

The fort is in urgent need of repair, as it is rapidly crumbling. If properly restored, publicized, and equipped with basic facilities, it could easily be transformed into a recreational site and picnic spot. The surrounding scenery is beautiful, with the Soan River flowing along its western side.

Schools and colleges could organize trips here, both as picnics and educational tours. I wonder how long we shall continue to neglect our history and heritage.

Tariq Amir

May 22, 2014.

Doha - Qatar 

View Pharwala Fort in a larger map