Conservation work of ‘Kos Minars’ in Jalandhar starts
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun conservation work of ‘Kos Minars’, situated on both sides of Sher Shah Marg.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun conservation work of ‘Kos Minars’, situated on both sides of Sher Shah Marg.
The said minars have been pronounced as protected monuments as their condition is deteriorating. The residents of Nakodar and Nurmahal areas had repeatedly urged the Union culture ministry to take urgent steps to save the minars from further corrosion.
Archana Kaul, conservation assistant of Nakodar sub circle of the ASI said, “Grill fencing is being erected at each minar to save the original structure.”
She said, that grill fencing will also be erected at minars situated at Cheema Kalan,Uppal Jagir and Bir Pind village.
The Kos Minars were used to deliver shahi daak (royal letters) from Agra to Lahore and vice-versa.
It was in 1619 AD that Jahangir ordered Biqir Khan, the Fauzdar of Multan to erect Kos Minars at every Kos (3.20km).
The Archaeological survey of India (ASI) had declared them of national importance under the Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1969.
Such minars are located at Dakhni Jahangir, Khanpur, Tut Kalan, Nakodar, Bir Pind, Cheema Kalan and Shampur in Jalandhar.
Apart from these places minars are also located at Ghungral, Raj Putan, Lashkri Khan, Dhandari Kalan, Sherpur Kalan,Shanewal in Ludhiana.
Social activist Pawan Kumar while appreciating grill fencing work said, “The ASI should chemically treat these Minars at the earliest.”
Journalist Jaswindar Singh Lamba calling them the glory of Punjab said, “The ASI has done its bit to maintain their original structure.”
“But, the monuments are thickly covered by depositions of biological species which should be cleaned,” said Lamba.
A Bilga based political leader GS Jakhu said, “These minars should be exploited as tourist places.”