Chandigarh, September 24, 2025 – The Global Sikh Council (GSC) has appealed to Pakistan to urgently restore the historic Samadh (memorial shrine) of Sardar Mahan Singh, father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, after heavy rains in Gujranwala caused parts of the 19th-century structure to collapse.
The GSC said the octagonal base of the shrine, constructed in 1837 at Sheranwala Bagh by the Maharaja in memory of his father, has caved in, leaving the dome and central structure unstable. The collapse has also raised safety concerns for a nearby school and local residents.
“This Samadh is a vital part of Sikh history and Punjabi heritage. Its preservation is essential not only for Sikhs but also for the cultural pride of Gujranwala and Punjab as a whole,” said GSC president Lady Singh Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur.
“We appeal to the Government of Pakistan and the Evacuee Trust Property Board to restore the historic site to its original glory so that future generations may continue to connect with this chapter of history.”
GSC secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal noted that while Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has made efforts in maintaining prominent Sikh shrines, many other monuments have been neglected. “The neglect, compounded by natural calamities, has brought the Samadh to a critical stage,” he said.
The Council welcomed the assurance from the ETPB chairman that restoration would be undertaken and urged timely action. Dr. Kaur said the GSC is ready to collaborate with the ETPB on conservation efforts, while also calling on the Punjab government in Pakistan and regional representatives to extend full support.
