Heritage at Risk: Sikh Council Warns of Collapse of Mahan Singh Samadh in Pakistan

Global Sikh Council President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur urges Pakistan to restore historic ‘samadh’ of Mahan Singh in Gujranwala after rains cause partial collapse

Nazrana Times reporter Ali Imran Chattha’s credible report first brought issue to light, sparking worldwide concern

Chandigarh, September 24, Nazrana Times Bureau

 The Global Sikh Council (GSC) has expressed serious concern over the reported damage to the Samadh of Mahan Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, located in Sheranwala Bagh, Gujranwala. Built in 1837 by the Maharaja in memory of his father, the heritage monument has suffered partial collapse following recent heavy rains in Pakistan.

GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur said the octagonal base of the Samadh has partially caved in, leaving the central structure and dome at risk of further collapse, posing a danger to a nearby school and local residents. She urged Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETBP) to immediately undertake stabilisation and conservation measures to safeguard the monument.

“The Samadh of Mahan Singh is a vital part of Sikh and Punjabi heritage. Its preservation is not only important for the Sikh diaspora but also for the cultural pride of Gujranwala and Punjab as a whole. We appeal to the Government of Pakistan and ETBP to restore the site to its original glory so that future generations can continue to connect with this chapter of history,” she stated.

The issue first gained prominence on 6 September, when Nazrana Times—a publication recognised for credible regional reporting—published a detailed report by its senior journalist Ali Imran Chattha. His coverage was subsequently lifted by almost all major Urdu and English newspapers in Pakistan the following day. 

On September 6, 2025, senior international reporter Ali Imran Chatha raised this issue through Nazarana Times.

A few days later, an article in an Indian newspaper by Professor Dr. Taranjit Singh Butalia of Ohio State University, USA, provided a detailed historical account of Mahan Singh and the Samadh, further amplifying the concern among Sikh and Punjabi communities worldwide.

While acknowledging ETBP’s efforts in maintaining certain major Sikh shrines, the GSC highlighted the neglect of many other sites, including the Samadh, which has steadily deteriorated over the decades. The Council emphasised that neglect, coupled with natural calamities, has now brought the monument to a critical stage.

Various Sikh associations and prominent personalities have also written letters to ETBP authorities, urging urgent steps to rebuild and conserve the Samadh. The GSC, now the largest Sikh organisation to intervene, has issued a formal letter and press release addressed to Pakistani and international media, reiterating the demand for full restoration.

The GSC has welcomed the assurance from the Chairman of ETBP in this regard and expressed hope that the promised restoration would be carried out in a timely manner.

“The Global Sikh Council is ready to collaborate with ETBP in this important conservation effort,” Dr. Kaur added, calling for the Government of Punjab in Pakistan and elected representatives of the region to extend full support to the restoration initiative.