AI Generated Summary
- Nearly a decade and a half after two experts first identified what appeared to be the remnants of an 18th-century fort in Majitha, the site continues to languish in neglect—its history fading even as its potential as a heritage attraction remains untapped.
- As Punjab continues to celebrate its vibrant history, Majitha’s forgotten fort stands as both a reminder and a warning—a reminder of the region’s rich architectural legacy, and a warning of how easily such treasures can slip away when preservation efforts lag behind discovery.
- The fort, he believes, dates back to the time of Desa Singh Majithia, a prominent Sikh leader and grandfather of The Tribune founder, Dyal Singh Majithia.
Nearly a decade and a half after two experts first identified what appeared to be the remnants of an 18th-century fort in Majitha, the site continues to languish in neglect—its history fading even as its potential as a heritage attraction remains untapped.
The structure, believed to be linked to the illustrious Majithia clan, was first spotted through satellite imagery by conservation architect Rachanpuneet Singh and Rawal Singh, a lecturer at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). While working on a redevelopment plan for a local police station, the duo noticed a distinct, fort-like outline on Google Earth. What they eventually uncovered on ground were unmistakable landforms—four prominent mounds marking bastions and a double moat tracing the traditional defensive layout of a Sikh-era fort.
Today, the 6.5-acre site presents little more than undulating earth mounds and scattered traces of mud fortifications. Yet, for locals like Harjit Singh, the land holds deep historical significance.
“I grew up knowing this place as Quila Dyal Singh,” he said, recalling stories passed down in the village. The fort, he believes, dates back to the time of Desa Singh Majithia, a prominent Sikh leader and grandfather of The Tribune founder, Dyal Singh Majithia.
Harjit remembers seeing an entrance gateway near the northern bastion during his childhood and a partially standing structure to the south—both now lost. Over time, villagers dismantled what remained, using the old bricks to construct homes around the site.
The fort once featured a striking defence system: a double-layered moat, which locals say was 18 to 20 feet deep when filled with rainwater flowing in from neighbouring villages. Today, this moat has become part of the livelihood of families who cultivate singhara (water chestnut) in its waters—one of the few surviving connections between daily life and the site’s storied past.
Members of Amritsar’s hospitality sector believe the fort could significantly enrich the region’s heritage tourism circuit. Hotelier Surinder Singh argues that integrating it with existing attractions—such as Gobindgarh Fort, the Partition Museum and the War Museum—could extend visitors’ stays and diversify their itineraries.
Yet, despite a brief inquiry years ago from the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, no concrete restoration efforts have begun.
According to conservation architect Rachanpuneet Singh, the fort’s remains—mostly mud structures—are deteriorating rapidly. Much of the architectural fabric lies buried, with exposed portions eroding under the dual pressures of human activity and weather.
“The discovery should not have been left unattended for so long,” he said, emphasizing that the site offers a rare typology and an important opportunity for adaptive reuse. Restoring it, he admits, would be challenging but immensely worthwhile.
A Heritage at Risk of Disappearing
What survives today is largely the shape of the fort: its bastions, its encircling moats, and the contour of its long-buried walls. These features still clearly outline a traditional Sikh-era defensive structure. But without urgent intervention, even these traces may soon vanish.
As Punjab continues to celebrate its vibrant history, Majitha’s forgotten fort stands as both a reminder and a warning—a reminder of the region’s rich architectural legacy, and a warning of how easily such treasures can slip away when preservation efforts lag behind discovery.
