Bunga Ramgarhia to be made museum of Sikh history
Bunga Ramgarhia, the three-storeyed marvel of the Sikh school of architecture, standing tall in the vicinity of the Golden Temple, will, as a museum of Sikh history, showcase the important historical events that occurred between 1708 AD and 1800 AD, after completion of its renovation by the end of June.
The conservation and restoration work of Bunga Ramgarhia has been allotted to experts and it is likely to be completed by the end of June. The bunga (mansion) was built by eminent Sikh warrior and Ramgarhia misl chief Jassa Singh Ramgarhia in 1794 to facilitate the stay of pilgrims on visiting the Golden Temple and to protect the complex from outsiders’ attacks.
Since it has been decided by the SGPC that after its conservation, the bunga will be used as a museum to depict the eventful Sikh history till the coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the proposed museum will contain material related to the Sikh history from 1708 AD to 1800 AD, said the SGPC chief, Avtar Singh Makkar.
The SGPC has decided to call expression of interest to utilise the services of renowned museum architects for designing the museum in the Ramgarhia Bunga. Among others, the meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu, SGPC Secretary Dalmegh Singh, member SGPC Kiranjot Kaur, representatives of Ramgarhia Sabha, officials of the SGPC and experts undertaking the job. A detailed review of the progress of work related to the conservation and restoration of the buildings in the Golden Temple Complex has also been undertaken.
The SGPC has also decided that a scientific study of the decorative features, including old paintings in Gurdwara Baba Attal and the Golden Temple, should be conducted before undertaking a conservation programme of the old paintings.
Sikh Nugget: Bunga Ramgarhia to be made museum of Sikh history
Varinder Singh, Tribune News Service, Amritsar, May 8
