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'''Gobindgarh Fort''' is a historic military fort located in the center of the city of [[Amritsar]] in the Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. The Fort was until recently occupied by the [[Indian Army|army]] but was opened to the public from 10 February 2017. Today the fort is being developed as a museum and [[theme park]], as a repository of Punjab’s history. | '''Gobindgarh Fort''' is a historic military fort located in the center of the city of [[Amritsar]] in the Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. The Fort was until recently occupied by the [[Indian Army|army]] but was opened to the public from 10 February 2017. Today the fort is being developed as a museum and [[theme park]], as a repository of Punjab’s history. | ||
Popularly known as the Bhangian da Killa (fort of the Bhangis) after its 18th century founder belonging to [[Bhangi Misl]] of [[Dhillon]] [[Jat]]s rulers. | Popularly known as the Bhangian da Killa (fort of the Bhangis) after its 18th century founder belonging to [[Bhangi Misl]] of [[Dhillon]] [[Jat]]s rulers. Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]] renamed it in the early 19th century after the 10th [[Sikh]] guru, [[Guru Gobind Singh]]. | ||
Gobindgarh Fort is located on the south west fringe of Amritsar, in a square pattern, with a perimeter of 1,000 m and made up entirely of bricks and lime. The fort had 25 cannons mounted on its [[Rampart (fortification)|ramparts]] and it remained with the Bhangi rulers till 1805. From the middle of the 19th century until Indian independence in 1947, it was occupied by the British army who made numerous defensive improvements to the fort to take account of technological advances in weaponry. | Gobindgarh Fort is located on the south west fringe of Amritsar, in a square pattern, with a perimeter of 1,000 m and made up entirely of bricks and lime. The fort had 25 cannons mounted on its [[Rampart (fortification)|ramparts]] and it remained with the Bhangi rulers till 1805. From the middle of the 19th century until Indian independence in 1947, it was occupied by the British army who made numerous defensive improvements to the fort to take account of technological advances in weaponry. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
It was originally built by [[Dhillon]] [[Jat]] Misldar (militia chief) [[Gujjar Singh Banghi]] of [[Bhangi Misl]], the local [[chieftain]] in the 18th century. Gobindgarh was conquered and enhanced in the early 19th century by | It was originally built by [[Dhillon]] [[Jat]] Misldar (militia chief) [[Gujjar Singh Banghi]] of [[Bhangi Misl]], the local [[chieftain]] in the 18th century. Gobindgarh was conquered and enhanced in the early 19th century by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who renamed it after the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The fort had five cannons which included the famous two [[Zamzama]] cannons. The structures built during this phase were the circular path in the center part of the innermost enclosure, [[Toshakhana]] (treasury), and [[Bastion]]s. In 1805, Maharaja Ranjit Singh strengthened the fort. One of the main reasons to erect the fort was to save [[Harminder Sahib]] and the city from the invaders using the [[Grand Trunk road]] throughout the 18th century who often attacked the city for the purpose of [[looting]]. During this phase, the moat and gates were built using the initial mud foundations to a contemporary military defense structure inspired from [[Military history of France|French military]] fortress plans. The fort was renovated with help of a French architect. It is reported that Maharaja Ranjit Singh kept his treasure at the Toshakhana which included the famous [[Koh-i-Noor]] and supplies for an army of 2000 soldiers in the fort. | ||
In 1849, the British captured the fort and made significant changes. Also, significant changes were made to the bastions and gates as the new artillery technology was adopted. | In 1849, the British captured the fort and made significant changes. Also, significant changes were made to the bastions and gates as the new artillery technology was adopted. | ||
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* '''Unique fortification system''' | * '''Unique fortification system''' | ||
There cannot be made a clear line of distinction between the construction of fort walls and gates of the Bhangi period and [[Ranjit Singh]]’s period, but the [[Ravelin]]s were defiantly a Maharaja Ranjit Singh period contribution. The fort had a two-tier system of fort walls and the Ravelins surrounded with a 5m deep moat. The double layer of forts walls at two levels provided for an efficient defense system. The fort walls were 10-12m thick having a mud infill as the core protected | There cannot be made a clear line of distinction between the construction of fort walls and gates of the Bhangi period and [[Ranjit Singh]]’s period, but the [[Ravelin]]s were defiantly a Maharaja Ranjit Singh period contribution. The fort had a two-tier system of fort walls and the Ravelins surrounded with a 5m deep moat. The double layer of forts walls at two levels provided for an efficient defense system. The fort walls were 10-12m thick having a mud infill as the core protected | ||
on both sides with [[Nanak shahi bricks]] in [[lime mortar]]. The thick mud walls acted as a [[thrust]] absorption wall in case of | on both sides with [[Nanak shahi bricks]] in [[lime mortar]]. The thick mud walls acted as a [[thrust]] absorption wall in case of cannonball attacks. The flat terrain and the improved European artillery posed a greater threat and a challenge for the working of this fort. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had raised a Fuaz-i-khas with the help of the French Military officers by the year 1823. Along with the French warfare techniques, these officers brought along with them French contemporary fortification systems to support the same. The maharaja adopted these systems in Gobindgarh fort to strengthen the mud fort. The ravelin—as highlands sloping outwards, were constructed in front of the curtain fort walls. These provided the defender with a suitable position at a high point to place his cannon and get a wide range of the enemy at a lower level, while the enemy had his cannon at the disadvantageous position. Even if the enemy succeeded in climbing up the ravelins, they made easy target for the cannons at the rampart. | ||
* '''Circular plinth of the Bungalow''' | * '''Circular plinth of the Bungalow''' | ||
This building is positioned as almost the geometrical center of the fort complex. The central positioning indicates a prime building usage. The circular [[plinth]] is the only remains of the Sikh building, which in itself speaks volumes about its rich architectural legacy. It might have been a plinth to a very high conical building (suggested in accordance to similar contemporary buildings). It is a retaining high plinth supported by an outer [[masonry]] wall and highly ornate masonry buttress. These circular buttresses have a broader capital with three cornice bands of masonry. This projecting cornice band continues all over the circular wall at the plinth level. It has a mud infill with Nanak shahi bricks in lime mortar. The details of the ornamentation are in masonry. The surface might have had a lime plaster as the surface treatment. | This building is positioned as almost the geometrical center of the fort complex. The central positioning indicates a prime building usage. The circular [[plinth]] is the only remains of the Sikh building, which in itself speaks volumes about its rich architectural legacy. It might have been a plinth to a very high conical building (suggested in accordance to similar contemporary buildings). It is a retaining high plinth supported by an outer [[masonry]] wall and highly ornate masonry buttress. These circular buttresses have a broader capital with three cornice bands of masonry. This projecting cornice band continues all over the circular wall at the plinth level. It has a mud infill with Nanak shahi bricks in lime mortar. The details of the ornamentation are in masonry. The surface might have had a lime plaster as the surface treatment. | ||
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This building lies to the west of Durbar Hall and opposite to the mess hall. This is a colonial era building, built in 1853 (as per MES records-date of purchase/date of erection), which was used for the treatment and purification of water by chlorination. It is built next to a Sikh period well, which was used as a chlorinating tank. It has two rooms, one of which has a circular pit to house chlorination apparatus (a myth, however, holds it to be a Phasi ghar— hanging place). The structure also has a water tank mounted on the terrace, as part of the water treatment equipment. The building is constructed with modular bricks in mud mortar having cement concrete flooring and terraced on jack arches. | This building lies to the west of Durbar Hall and opposite to the mess hall. This is a colonial era building, built in 1853 (as per MES records-date of purchase/date of erection), which was used for the treatment and purification of water by chlorination. It is built next to a Sikh period well, which was used as a chlorinating tank. It has two rooms, one of which has a circular pit to house chlorination apparatus (a myth, however, holds it to be a Phasi ghar— hanging place). The structure also has a water tank mounted on the terrace, as part of the water treatment equipment. The building is constructed with modular bricks in mud mortar having cement concrete flooring and terraced on jack arches. | ||
== | ==Zamzama== | ||
[[File:Zamzama - Front View- Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|Replica of Zam-Zammah - Front View- Placed at Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar]] | [[File:Zamzama - Front View- Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|Replica of Zam-Zammah - Front View- Placed at Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar]] | ||
Bhangia-di-top or the gun belonging to the BhangiMisl, known as [[Zamzama]], is a massive, heavyweight gun, an 80 pounder, 14 feet, | Bhangia-di-top or the gun belonging to the BhangiMisl, known as [[Zamzama]], is a massive, heavyweight gun, an 80-pounder, 14 feet, 4{{frac|1|2}} inches in length, with a bore aperture of 9{{frac|1|2}} inches. This gun, one of the largest ever made in the sub-continent, was cast at Lahore along with another gun of the same size in 1757 by Shah Nazir (a metalsmith of the former Mughal viceroy ), under the directions of Shah Wali Khan, who was prime minister in the reign of the Afghan King Ahmed Shah Durrani. According to some writers, some metal was obtained through jizya, metal vessels having been taken from Hindu households in Lahore. | ||
[[File:Zamzama - Side View - Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|Replica of Zam-Zammah - Side View - at Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar]] | [[File:Zamzama - Side View - Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|Replica of Zam-Zammah - Side View - at Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar]] | ||
The cannon bears two Persian inscriptions. The front one reads: "By the order of the Emperor [Ahmad Shah], DuriDurran, Shah Wali Khan wazir made the gun named Zamzama or the Taker of Strongholds." And the longer versified inscription reads: "A destroyer even of the strongholds of the heaven." | The cannon bears two Persian inscriptions. The front one reads: "By the order of the Emperor [Ahmad Shah], DuriDurran, Shah Wali Khan wazir made the gun named Zamzama or the Taker of Strongholds." And the longer versified inscription reads: "A destroyer even of the strongholds of the heaven." | ||