US Researcher Identifies 100 Sikh-Era Monuments at Lahore Fort
A US-based researcher has identified around 100 monuments within Lahore Fort from the Sikh Empire era (1799-1849), shedding new light on its historical significance. Of these, 30 no longer exist today.
To provide a detailed account of the fort’s role during the Sikh Empire, the Walled City of Lahore Authority has commissioned Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia to write a comprehensive tour guidebook. “Lahore Fort, deeply embedded in the Sikh psyche, served as the seat of power for nearly half a century. It holds personal significance for me, as my ancestors held esteemed positions in the Sikh court, as recorded in Umdat ut Tawarikh—the Persian chronicles of the court,” Dr. Butalia stated.
He emphasized the importance of raising awareness among Indian Sikhs about their divided heritage. “The Partition of 1947 split Sikh historical sites between two nations, cutting off access for Sikhs in India to many of their sacred places in Pakistan. However, with visa liberalization and the growing Sikh diaspora in Western countries, more people now have the opportunity to visit these sites,” he added.
While Lahore Fort’s Mughal origins date back to the 16th century—when Emperor Akbar first constructed it—its Sikh heritage remains an integral part of its historical narrative. The fort, originally built over a mud fortress by Mughal rulers Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, came under Sikh control in 1799 and remained so until 1849, when the British converted it into an army garrison. During the Sikh rule, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Maharaja Kharak Singh, Kanwar Naunihal Singh, and Maharaja Sher Singh preserved many structures and commissioned several new ones.
Dr. Butalia also revealed that his research includes over 20 meticulously crafted maps and sketches of Lahore Fort and its surrounding walled city, dating back to 1825. He credited the Panjab Digital Library in Chandigarh for contributing valuable resources to his study.
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