In a groundbreaking effort to bridge historical gaps, a US-based researcher has identified nearly 100 monuments within Lahore Fort that date back to the era of the Sikh Empire (1799-1849). This discovery sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of the iconic fort’s history — a period when the Sikhs ruled Punjab, leaving an indelible mark on its architecture and cultural significance.
Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, a researcher with deep ancestral ties to the Sikh court, has been commissioned by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) to compile a comprehensive guidebook titled Lahore Fort during the Sikh Empire. The book aims to offer visitors an immersive understanding of the fort’s historical importance under Sikh rule.
“For nearly half a century, Lahore Fort served as the seat of power for the Sikh Empire,” Dr. Butalia explained in an interview. “This fort is not just a historical site — it holds deep sentimental value for Sikhs around the world. My own ancestors served in the Sikh court, according to the Persian chronicles Umdat ut Tawarikh.”
The project holds particular significance for Sikh communities in India and abroad. “The partition of 1947 divided not only land but also the heritage of the Sikhs. Many historical sites, including Lahore Fort, ended up in Pakistan, creating a disconnect for Indian Sikhs. But thanks to easing visa restrictions and the growing number of diaspora Sikhs, these historical treasures are becoming accessible once again,” Dr. Butalia added.
Lahore Fort’s origins trace back to the Mughal era, with construction beginning under Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. The fort changed hands in 1799, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh took control, ushering in the Sikh period. The fort remained under Sikh rule until the British seized it in 1849, converting it into a military garrison.
During Sikh rule, Lahore Fort flourished as both a political seat and a cultural hub. Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his successors — Maharaja Kharak Singh, Kanwar Naunihal Singh, and Maharaja Sher Singh — preserved the existing Mughal structures while adding their own contributions. Notable Sikh-era additions include the Hazuri Bagh and its elegant Baradari, as well as the construction of the revered Gurdwara Dera Sahib, marking the martyrdom site of Guru Arjan Dev.
Dr. Butalia’s fascination with Lahore Fort began during his first visit in 2019. “Standing at the Athdhara pavilion, I could almost hear the footsteps of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and my ancestor, Ganda Singh Butalia. It was an emotional experience — but also a sobering one, as I realized that many local tour guides painted the Sikh era in a negative light,” he recalled.
This disconnect led Dr. Butalia on a global research journey, scouring archives, libraries, and museums. His efforts uncovered more than 20 historic maps and sketches of the fort and its surrounding walled city, some dating back to 1825. His research also exposed how popular history books in Pakistan often perpetuate inaccuracies about the Sikh period.
Through painstaking research, Dr. Butalia has compiled an index of approximately 100 Sikh-era monuments within the fort, cataloging their historical significance and original names. Alarmingly, around 30 of these monuments no longer exist today. To help visitors envision the fort as it once stood, the guidebook will include historical photographs, rare sketches, and a proposed tour route beginning and ending at the Bastion Café.
The WCLA plans to train tour guides to use the book, ensuring that future visitors gain a balanced, historically accurate understanding of Lahore Fort’s Sikh legacy.
“This is more than a guidebook — it is a bridge between past and present, a chance for visitors to walk in the footsteps of history and rediscover a story that has too often been forgotten,” Dr. Butalia said.
