Renovation process for Zorawar Singh Palace initiated

The horrific visual of crumbling structure of General Zorawar Singh Palace in Reasi is going to change for good, as the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums Jammu is taking up the mammoth restoration work soon.

Following the directions of Munir-ul-Islam, JKAS, Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K, vide official letter no. DAMA/4271-72/AMA- 223/2012, Dated 22-02-2021, the Conservation Wing of the department has initiated the process to visit the heritage monument and prepare a Detailed Project Report for its restoration.

Confirming to The News Now, Dr Sangeeta Sharma, Assistant Director, Archives Archaeology and Museums Jammu, and In-charge Dogra Art Museum Jammu, says, “The Conservation Wing is preparing the DPR for repair and renovation of the Palace, which would include reconstruction of damaged walls, roof, floor and so on.”

She adds, “The Tehsildar, District Reasi has also been approached vide office letter no: DDJ/440/2020/SPM-93, Dated: 17-11-2020, for providing of revenue record of the monument.”

Earlier, the department, vide letter no. DAMA/1544-45/AMA-223/2021, Dated 19-09-2017, had forwarded DPR for an amount of Rs. 157.00 Lakhs to the Administrative Department for Accord of Administrative Approval /technical vetting. However, the proposal did not mature.

Built by Zorawar Singh after he was conferred the title of Wazir, on a hillock on the banks of River Chenab, the imposing palace was the residence of the great Indian Warrior. Given the strategic topographic location of the site, he is said to have used it as a watch tower to monitor activities of the enemies.

The three storied structure, seemingly influenced by architecture of Punjabi Havelis, was adorned with murals and paintings. However, officially a protected monument under the J&K Ancient Monument Preservation Act 1920 Amendment 2010 vide SRO-43 dated 06-02-2013, it has largely turned to ruins in all these years.

Elated over the development with respect to the heritage monument, the historians and heritage enthusiasts see it as a fitting tribute to the national hero.

They say, “The legacy of General Zorawar Singh is such that even his enemies have honored him by constructing a Chorten after his death on December 12, 1841 in the Battle of Toyo in Western Tibet. We can certainly resurrect and preserve his legacy in the erstwhile state for which he fought.”

“This priceless monument tells tales of his bravery. It is hoped that with the conservation work, it will be preserved for eternity,” they add.

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