Gobindgarh Fort History

 

Qila Mubarak, Bhatinda, Punjab, India photo credit Wikipedia

Introduction
Gobindgarh is one of the ancient and historic forts of the North that is located in the city of Bathinda in Punjab. This fort stands as a witness to the reign of Rajputs / Mughals / Sikhs and British over the centuries. Because of its nexus to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the fort got known as Gobindgarh. This fort has a specific spot in the history of Punjab not just in the culturally and politics term of its defense. It is currently a historical monument that enjoys the status of a major tourist attraction of Bathinda.

The fort of Govindgarh photo credit Wikipedia

 
The Name and Establishment
The Govindgarh Fort can be traced back in history to about the 9th century, when Raja Bhagabhata, a Bhati Rajput king constructed this fort in order to establish his rule in Bathinda region. It started out as a defense base and military base which over the years turned out to be a strategically significant location. The fort was rebuilt and remodelled later during the Sikh regime. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru during his times was also closely associated to this fort. It was named after him as Govindgarh Fort The fort then not only represented the form of military authority, but also a religious and cultural figure of identification.

View from inside the Fort photo credit Wikipedia

History
Govindgarh Fort has a long history and this story is multifaceted. It saw the ups and the downs of different rulers and empires of North India.
Rajput era
The Govindgarh Fort belongs to the 9th century with the vintage owner being the ruler of Bhati Rajput, Raja Bhagabhata. By then, the fortress was majorly a defensive base. There was great strategic significance of the fort as a way of establishing the authority of the Bhati Rajputs in the region of Bathinda and to repel the invasion of the enemy. The tall walls, the robust gateways and the interior tank are rare and exclusive objects of the Rajput architecture.
The Mughal nation
On the conquest of Punjab by the Mughals in the medieval times, the fort of Gobindgarh fell in their hands. The Mughal rulers occupied the fort as a mode of establishing war-base, and put the Bathinda region under their administrative authority. New walls, watchtowers and arsenals were built into the fort. It was in the centre stage of multiple military campaigns of the Mughal rule.
The Sikh age
The fort took another dimension as the Sikhs rose in the 17th century. Sangha Guru Gobind Singh Ji who was the tenth Guru of the Sikhs would use this fort in his fight against the Mughals. Here he was able to mobilise the Sikh army. It was later in the era of Maharaja Ranjit Singh that the fort was further renovated and turned out to be a strategic fort of the Sikh Empire. It is at this period that the fort was christened Gobindgarh Fort in honour of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The British.
In the 19th century when the British conquered the Punjab state, the fort served as their military headquarters. The British constructed administrative structures, offices, arsenals and warehouse here. Military significance of the fort has been retained, however the primary mission was to curb the rebellion in the area by the local Sikhs and also to keep order. The fort is now owned by independent India after the fall of British rule.
Architectural features
This is evinced in the architecture of Gobindgarh Fort since it can be found that four eras have left an imprint, namely Rajput, Mughal, Sikh and the British. The rulers endorsed more alterations to the fort to suit their needs making it a heritage of architecture. The Rajput architecture The fort was constructed in Bhati Rajput era. Rajput architecture is distinguished by this strong fortification in the form of high walls, towers and the planning of gate entries. Cisterns and secret passages could be found inside the fort and this made it very useful during defense during sieges.

Building style of Mughals
There was a rise in red sandstone use in the fort during the Mughal period. New walls, watch towers and military barrack were constructed. One can also see the splendor of Mughal architecture which is apparent in the form of arches, carved windows and beautiful doors.
The Sikh architecture
Guru Gobind Singh Ji and, afterwards, Maharaja Ranjit Singh renovated the fort. Sikh architecture is mainly simple and functional. In the fort Temples and Gurudwaras were constructed. The name of this fort is Gobindgarh Fort referring to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. British work
The British architecture
The British turned the fort into a military base and erected administrative buildings, warehouses and offices here. They are represented by their architecture based on use of brick, wide entrances and military rooms. The fort was modernized and the level of comfort provided by it when ruling the land was also enhanced, at the cost of the traditional style of architecture.

Nowadays one of the historical locations of Bathinda is Gobindgarh Fort. Although it has a long history and has been affecting the world throughout centuries, nowadays, there are numerous ruins of the fort. The department of archaeology (ASI) and Government of Punjab has undertaken measures to conserve it as well as restore it. The major walls, towers and some of the administrative buildings in the fort are still in place. Being a tourist attraction, the tourists are given a combination of Sikh history and Rajput architecture and the military historical artifacts of the British period. Currently, cultural programs, historical exhibitions and tourism activities are arranged within the fort. The fort to the local people did not remain a mere archaeological site but is symbolic of the great past of Punjab. The Govindgarh fort is one of the most beautiful sites of Bathinda that interests potential history lovers and tourists. The fact that its preservation will be an asset to the future generations is in itself an invaluable heritage.

Conclusion
Besides being a military base, Gobindgarh Fort is a document of the political cultural and religious history of Punjab. The fort is testimony to the valor of the Rajputs, the settlement of the Mughals, the tussle of the Sikhs and the administrative application of the British. It has gained a life of its own because it is named after Guru Gobind Singh. Not only is it an archaeological site today, but also, a symbol of identity, pride and heritage of Punjab. When the correct preservation and development is done, the Gobindgarh Fort will remain a great history treasure to be left to the future generations.

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