Photograph of Maharaja Duleep Singh in formal day dress, about 1850. Museum no. PH.192-1982, Horne & Thornthwaite. Albumen print from collodion negative. Museum no. PH.192-1982. Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum.

Maharaja Duleep Singh Monument in progress

Punjab Chief Minister(CM) Parkash Singh Badal today said the beautification and landscaping of historic Bassian Kothi located near Raikot town in the district of Ludiana, Punjab would begin soon.

The CM today visited the Bassian Kothi and reviewed the ongoing restoration work of the over 200-year-old heritage monument, which is being developed into a memorial in remembrance of Late Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last Sikh Maharaja, an official release said. After the Maharaja’s departure to England, the place attracted attention again when five Namdharis, who participated in the Kuka movement, were kept as prisoners here by the British. They were later hanged at a tree near Bassian Kothi on 5th August 1871

Picture depicting the hanged Namdharis. Picture courtesy of www.namdhariworld.com

Also, help of experts from Punjab Agricultural University and other government departments will also be taken for this purpose, Badal said in the statement.

It was at Bassian Kothi where Maharaja Dalip Singh was kept in captivity by the British in 1849 prior to his exile.

It was in the year 2011, when the state government engaged the services of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for the restoration work.

Badal said his government had given nod for setting up Punjab Institute of Management and Technology (PIMT) at the around seven acre piece of land adjoining to Bassian Kothi.

The institute would be set up by Punjab Technical University (PTU).

He said more than Rs 5 crore have already been spent on this project, which includes a museum, an open air theatre and a recreational area, and a statue of the Maharaja has also been installed there

Press Trust of India | Ludhiana (Pb) March 22, 2015