Punjab is all set to take its tourists down history to the days of freedom struggle in the State.
The Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) is developing a ‘Freedom Trail’ by connecting the places of historical significance, including the fights associated with the India’s freedom movement.
Possessing a rich tales of valour and courage exhibited by the Sikhs or Punjabis, the Board is, as of now, working on connecting all such places by building up on a single theme.
Besides, the renowned places connected with the independence struggle including Jallianwala Bagh, and Wagah Border, the Board is adding more places of similar importance in the Freedom Trail.
“People know about Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border...but there are still many places in Punjab which have a vast history behind it that people don’t know. And, we are focusing to connect them all and make people aware of the vast history of Punjabis and Sikhs’ struggle against foreign oppression,” PHTPB chief executive officer Basanta Raj Kumar told The Pioneer.
“Hussainiwala border in Ferozepur district also holds the Beating Retreat Ceremony just like the Wagah Border, but many people are not aware of it...Around 100-150 metres away, there is the resting place of the great martyrs — Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru — on the river bank where Satluj and Beas conjoins that is also not very popular place among tourists,” pointed Kumar. Making it clear that Freedom Trail does not only include the places connected with the country’s freedom struggle, but also of the Sikhs’ struggle against the Mughals.
“Our main emphasis would be on Independence struggle, but being used as the gateway to India by the invaders, Punjab has loaded past of Sikhs’ courageous acts against tyranny… The places telling woeful tales of Mughals’ atrocities against the Sikhs and the stories of their survival will also be the part of this trail,” added Kumar.
He indicated that places like Chappar Chhiri to perpetuate unparalleled bravery of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and his five generals, Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwara commemorating martyrdom of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh who were bricked alive, Chhota and Wadda Ghallughara (holocaust) at Gurdaspur and Sangrur where thousands of Sikhs were butchered by Mughals, among others.
This is not all! The venue related to the First Anglo-Sikh War, fought between the Sikh Empire and the East India Company between 1845 and 1846, has also been included in the freedom circuit.
“The Anglo-Sikh war has been adjudged as the third greatest battle ever fought by the British Army. Many people are not aware about the battle and the importance attached to it. The battle was fought on three different locations in Ferozepur district and a memorial has also been built for the same,” said Kumar.
Anglo Sikh War Memorial has been constructed at Ferozeshah to perpetuate the memory of the brave Punjabis who laid down their lives fighting heroically against the British troops at Mudki Ferozeshah Sabhraon and Chellianwala. The battles were fought at Mudki, Ferozeshah, Sabhraon, and Chellianwala.
“There are many instances where people have shown great valour and courage fighting for Punjab or the country’s independence. By developing a circuit, our main aim is to relive those stories of the great people who sacrificed their lives for a cause,” said Kumar.
The idea to tap tourists fall out by developing a Freedom Trail was recommended by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in its master plan for the State. “Punjab Government had commissioned UNWTO in 2008 and it prepared a Master Plan for the State recommending to develop sites related to freedom movements,” said Kumar.
The Board is working out the modalities to provide “better connectivity to all these places, have better packaging so as to attract the tourists, an interesting story to tell, among other things”.