Historic Ferozepur Fort In Punjab Opened For Public After 200 Years
In an initiative to boost tourism and align the local populace with the military heritage in this border region, the Army's Golden Arrow Division has opened the historic two-century-old Ferozepur Fort to the public.
It is for the first time in over 200 years that this significant architectural and historical site has been made accessible to the public.
The move reaffirms the government's commitment to preserve national heritage and promote responsible border tourism, said Major General R S Manral, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Golden Arrow Division.
"Strategically positioned near the Indo-Pakistan border, Ferozepur Fort is a remarkable example of 19th-century military architecture from the Sikh empire" said the GOC, adding that its unique hexagonal design and robust defensive features showcase the strategic ingenuity of its time.
"The reopening of Ferozepur Fort not only reconnects the region with its storied past but also reaffirms its identity as a symbol of valour, resilience and national pride, firmly placing it on Punjab's cultural and heritage tourism map," said Major General Manral.
Brig Bikram Singh, Station Commander, said Ferozepur holds a special place in India's freedom movement, having produced numerous martyrs and revolutionaries who bravely resisted colonial rule.
This fort and its surroundings have borne witness to pivotal historical events, which continue to symbolise national pride and sacrifice, he added.
Once a critical outpost in the Sikh empire frontier defence network, the fort holds enduring tales of courage and resistance and also features prominently in narratives of the First War of Independence in 1857.
This fort was converted into a British Garrison in 1839 under the instructions of the Duke of Wellington.
Later, the British converted this fort into an arsenal (Weapon Store) in 1858 and subsequently, the dry gun cotton store, the powder magazine and ammunition stores were also constructed here.
This fort served as the mother depot for the supply of guns, ammunition, trained horses and bullocks. About 10,000 bullocks and as many horses and even 150 camels were tethered at any time in this fort.
The fort continued to play the role of arsenal till 1941, when the ammunition was shifted to Kasubegu as a tactical move by the British at the beginning of World War-II.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
10 hours ago
- India.com
This country has no airport, no currency of its own, its prince richer than Britain's kings, locals wealthy enough to not work whole life; not Switzerland, Greece, it is…
Hidden between Switzerland and Austria, there is a tiny European country that most people have never heard of. This country reportedly does not have an airport. Neither does it have its own currency, nor does it have an official national language. However, it is one of the richest countries in the world and one of the safest as well. With its jaw-dropping landscapes, medieval castles, and a crime rate so low that there are currently seven people in the whole country in prison. Sounds fictional! But it's not, it's real. The place is called Liechtenstein. Recently, a video of this surprisingly rich and unexplored place has gained popularity on Instagram, and it has caught the attention of the world. Sharing a post on Instagram, the Instagram page TheSoulConnect with 448K followers wrote, 'Ever heard of Liechtenstein? Most people have not. But this tiny nation tucked between Switzerland and Austria is wildly unique. No airport — you have to fly into another country. No currency — they use the Swiss Franc. No official language of their own — German is borrowed. And yet, it is one of the richest and safest countries on Earth. Liechtenstein proves this: You do not need size, flash, or your own rules to thrive.' The caption provided some insight into Liechtenstein, such as its medieval castles, snowy Alps, and very small population base of only about 30,000. Did you know that Liechtenstein is deemed the richest country in the world, even richer than the British monarch? Here, there is so much prosperity that many people can afford leisure without working for a living, giving them ample discretionary time to devote to whatever they want to do in life. The people of Liechtenstein benefit from low taxes, and the country itself carries no external debt. Respect for one another is the foundation of society, and flaunting wealth is generally considered disrespectful. Crime rates are nearly nonexistent. For that reason, there are only about 100 police officers in Liechtenstein. It's common for people to leave their doors unlocked at night without worry. The post generated immense excitement among travel enthusiasts who were in awe of Liechtenstein's breathtaking landscapes and unique way of life. One person stated, 'I love to live there please guide me.' 'Please guide me would love to live in Lichtenstein,' added another user. A third user wrote, 'Please guide me. Would be very happy to live there.'
The Print
a day ago
- The Print
Maratha forts, Khudiram Bose & Shubhanshu Shukla—highlights of PM Modi's latest ‘Mann ki Baat'
'Eleven forts in Maharashtra; one in Tamil Nadu. Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event,' Prime Minister Modi asserted as he took listeners on a journey through India's rich cultural, historical, and ecological heritage. The forts, spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, collectively, can now be called 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India', as named by the Indian government in the nomination dossier submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage status in 2024-25. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the recognition of 12 Maratha forts collectively as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in his address for the 124th edition of his radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'. His 'Mann Ki Baat' address highlighted several of India's recent achievements and milestones—from Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission to rare bird surveys. Besides, Prime Minister Modi also dived into the excitement surrounding the upcoming festive season. The UNESCO recognition, which came at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, made the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' the country's 44th property to receive such global recognition. The twelve forts included in the UNESCO listing are Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg—all in Maharashtra—and Gingee in Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Modi encouraged citizens to visit the historic forts and learn more about India's rich past. 'These forts are not just bricks and stones; they are symbols of our rich heritage. Values and self-respect still echo from the high walls of these forts. I urge the citizens to visit them, learn about their history, and take pride in it,' he added. Month of revolution Reflecting on the significance of the upcoming month in India's freedom struggle in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded listeners that August is a month of sacrifice and revolution, leading to Independence. Modi highlighted freedom fighters, such as Khudiram Bose and the countless unnamed heroes, who laid down their lives for the nation. Paying tribute to Khudiram Bose—in particular—the Prime Minister said, 'Let us not merely remember them in textbooks, but live by their ideals.' Khudiram Bose was sentenced to death at the age of 18 during British rule over the Muzaffarpur Conspiracy Case—an attempted assassination of a British judge The Prime Minister also called on citizens to keep the legacy of Indian revolutionaries alive through acts of service, civic responsibility, and unwavering patriotism. 'When Khudiram Bose walked towards the gallows, there was a smile on his face,' he recalled during his 'Mann ki Baat' address. 'After such countless sacrifices, after centuries of penance, we attained Independence. The country's die-hard patriots nurtured the freedom movement with their blood.' Prime Minister Modi also reminded listeners of 7 August, the day the Swadeshi Movement began in 1905, breathing new life into the Indian handloom industry. Now celebrated as the 'National Handloom Day', 7 August inspired success stories in the handloom sector from Maharashtra to Bihar and Odisha, the Prime Minister stated. 'Just like Khadi strengthened the freedom movement, today our textile sector is a pillar of progress,' he added. Also Read: 'Mann Ki Baat' is the 'Mann Ki Baat' of millions of Indians: PM Modi in 100th episode Homecoming of Shubhanshu Shukla The 124th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' started with Prime Minister Modi's celebration of the return of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla—a proud moment for the nation as Shukla became the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to go to space and the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS). Prime Minister Modi recalled how the country came together to honour the historic achievement, marking a significant milestone in the Indian space journey. He also recalled the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, calling it another defining moment, which will inspire the youth and ignite a passion for space and science across the country.'The recent years have witnessed a surge in interest towards space, science, and innovation,' the Prime Minister added. Shubhanshu Shukla's participation in the Axiom 4 Mission made history at a time when the Indian space start-up ecosystem is growing rapidly—a fact the PM mentioned in his address. 'Just five years ago, the country had fewer than 50 companies in this sector. Today, that number has grown to over 200 space-focused start-ups, driving technological advancements, creating employment, and propelling India's ambitions in global space exploration,' he said. First-ever grassland bird census During his 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi also turned his focus to wildlife and conservation at one time. He highlighted a groundbreaking initiative from Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which, for the first time, saw a dedicated Grassland Bird Census. The survey focused specifically on bird species that depend on Kaziranga's unique grassland ecosystem. 'This is a significant milestone in our conservation efforts,' PM Modi said. The survey, a collaboration among forest officials, scientists, and bird watchers, has deepened the understanding of grassland bird biodiversity in Kaziranga. In the census, more than 40 bird species, including several rare ones, were identified. Prime Minister Modi explained that the identification process became possible through a combination of expert knowledge and modern technology. The team installed sound recording devices in the fields, and the recorded bird calls were later analysed using Artificial Intelligence, allowing researchers to identify the bird species without disturbing them. 'When technology and sensitivity come together, understanding nature becomes so easy and deep,' he said. The Prime Minister also encouraged young naturalists and researchers to participate in such initiatives, emphasising the critical role of protecting and celebrating the country's rich biodiversity. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Nelson Mandela was influenced by Gandhi. And was aware non-violence strategy had to evolve
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
My monsoon survival story
When I return to Mumbai, I find my bedcovers smelling musty. They remind me of a friend's complaint about her South American trip—how the rainforest's beauty came with mold creeping into everything: clothes, drawers, even her journals and her graph paper. So too with Mumbai's rains. Inside, it's cozy; outside, a watery wonderland. Rain pelts off the coconut palms, a lone kite perches on the tree outside my window, and the garden below is a pool of brown water, a still life mirror of caramel and bronze. But like the rainforests, this paradise too has its price. 'I'm being eaten alive—it's got to be bed bugs,' my youngest groans. When the sun grudgingly appears, I haul our mattresses onto the ledge, only for her to wake with fresh bites by morning. Mumbai monsoon greens. The rain doesn't relent. Grey skies sag; a plane skids off the waterlogged runway. Yet the city marches on—autos plow through ankle-deep water, buses cough along their routes, and we join the clogged traffic, hunting for new mattresses and lights. In the car, Anand Bakshi's lyrics fill the space between raindrops. It's the month of rains, the breeze creates a noise, in the much loved Savan ka Mahina song. These words seem written for this city, for this season. For this is Bambai, the place young Anand Prakash Bakshi once sold his schoolbooks to try and reach. At fifteen, he joined the navy, hoping Karachi would be a stepping stone; instead, he was nearly jailed for rebelling against the British. Pressured into the army, he finally made it to this city—only to knock on studio doors until his money ran out. Nagmein Kisse Kahaniyan, his son Rakesh's book, tells these stirring stories of stubborn dreams. I came to the book through a happy circumstance. After raving to a friend about Rakesh's Director Diaries—a treasure trove of Bollywood behind-the-scenes stories—I learned she knew him. This is Mumbai's magic: where art and art lovers intersect casually. When Rakesh heard of my admiration, he sent me this book that he wrote on his father's life. Grey Mumbai skies. Now, as the rain continues to fall, Bakshi's songs play on: Main shayar toh nahin, Gaadi bula rahi hai, One two ka four, four two ka one, my name is Lakhan. The songs, the city, the savan ka mahina connect us in an inextricable way. When we reach the Lohar Chawl market, it is still raining. 'I don't believe in umbrellas, Mama,' my daughter declares, her sister nodding. The girls walk happily through the drizzle. I think back to their younger selves - their shrieks of delight when I'd let them play in the rain, the risk of a cold and fever notwithstanding - for what greater pleasure can there be than dancing in the rain? On the street outside, a sodden kitten with grey green eyes watches us from behind a Havells switchboard, her orange-and-white fur plastered to her skin. Inside a light fittings store, there are chandeliers, standing lamps and wall lights in antique brass. But when the shopkeeper brings us white light spotlights, my daughter wrinkles her nose. 'Ugh Mama, tube light white is so hospital-y, please can we have warm white? ' Not a fan of white light myself, I promptly agree. Proper lighting isn't just functional, she writes; it affects how we feel, I recently read in Frida Ramstedt's excellent The Interior Design Handbook. She recommends five to seven light points in every room— bright overhead lights for illumination and layered light that shifts mood, draws attention to a painting, or creates a pool of comfort in a dark corner. The day ends with no mattresses—just pendant lamps that create cosy reading corners to curl into. It's enough, I think. In a city where the rains seep into everything, these warm white lights keep the dampness and the grey skies at bay. Dear Reader, what's your favourite monsoon survival ritual to help you lighten up when skies turn grey? (Sonya Dutta Choudhury is a Mumbai-based journalist and the founder of Sonya's Book Box, a bespoke book service. Each week, she brings you specially curated books to give you an immersive understanding of people and places. If you have any reading recommendations or reading dilemmas, write to her at sonyasbookbox@ The views expressed are personal)
