CINXE.COM

In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" class="no-js"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,minimum-scale=1,initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1" /> <meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:large"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#141414"> <meta name="theme-color" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)" content="#141414"> <meta name="theme-color" media="(prefers-color-scheme: light)" content="#141414"> <meta name="google-play-app" content="app-id=in.scroll.android"> <meta name="twitter:app:name:googleplay" content="Scroll.in App for Android"> <meta name="twitter:app:id:googleplay" content="in.scroll.android"> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Scroll.in News (RSS 2.0)" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ScrollinArticles.rss"> <title>In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire</title> <link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="/opensearch.xml" title="Scroll.in"> <link href="scroll_in" rel="publisher"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/favicon.5f31c86209ff21c26b68aabf47772769.003.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/favicon-16x16.5f31c86209ff21c26b68aabf47772769.003.png" sizes="16x16"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/favicon-32x32.5f31c86209ff21c26b68aabf47772769.003.png" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/favicon-96x96.4cc034945103e3d2a902c9f81dceb823.003.png" sizes="96x96"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/favicon-160x160.7d97c537daffcf114789e9abfa5fb07f.003.png" sizes="160x160"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/apple-touch-icon-57x57.277cea0346eb4df5b677579fca717306.003.png" sizes="57x57"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/apple-touch-icon-72x72.53ee5cb4271f912e403784b41ffd9311.003.png" sizes="72x72"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/apple-touch-icon-114x114.9dc8c17e787ea5a8d991fe66621ed49a.003.png" sizes="114x114"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://scroll.in/static/assets/apple-touch-icon-144x144.b71c766a62abe812b4b37e7f21e91e56.003.png" sizes="144x144"> <meta property="og:title" content="In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire"> <meta name="description" content="The pavilion which contained one of the most famous gardens of the city is now in ruins."> <meta name="author" content="Haroon Khalid"> <meta property="og:description" content="The pavilion which contained one of the most famous gardens of the city is now in ruins."> <meta property="og:type" content="article"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://sc0.blr1.digitaloceanspaces.com/facebook/808042-facebook-yalsctvxal-1463073814.jpeg"> <meta property="og:image:width" content="600"> <meta property="og:image:height" content="315"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Scroll.in"> <meta property="og:url" content="http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire"> <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/scroll.in"> <meta name="keywords" content="World, Lahore gardens, British Empire, Lahore, Muslim Shrines, Baradari, Kanwal Pratab Singh, Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, Nau Nihal Singh"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="https://sc0.blr1.digitaloceanspaces.com/facebook/808042-facebook-yalsctvxal-1463073814.jpeg"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The pavilion which contained one of the most famous gardens of the city is now in ruins."> <meta name="twitter:title" content="In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire"> <meta name="twitter:url" content="http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@scroll_in"> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@scroll_in"> <meta name="twitter:site:id" content="@scroll_in"> <meta name="dcterms.title" content="In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire"> <meta name="dcterms.description" content="The pavilion which contained one of the most famous gardens of the city is now in ruins."> <meta name="dcterms.type" content="Text"> <meta name="dcterms.format" content="text/html"> <meta name="dcterms.language" content="en_US"> <meta name="dcterms.identifier" content="http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire"> <meta name="dcterms.created" content="2016-05-13T19:30:00+05:30"> <meta name="dcterms.available" content="2016-05-13T19:30:00+05:30"> <meta name="dcterms.publisher" content="https://scroll.in"> <meta name="dcterms.creator" content="Haroon Khalid"> <meta name="dcterms.subject" content="World, Lahore gardens, British Empire, Lahore, Muslim Shrines, Baradari, Kanwal Pratab Singh, Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, Nau Nihal Singh"> <meta name="atdlayout" content="articlepage"> <meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=1313224234, app-argument=http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire"> <meta property="article:tag" content="World"> <meta property="article:tag" content="Lahore gardens"> <meta property="article:tag" content="British Empire"> <meta property="article:tag" content="Lahore"> <meta property="article:tag" content="Muslim Shrines"> <meta property="article:tag" content="Baradari"> <meta property="article:tag" content="Kanwal Pratab Singh"> <meta property="article:tag" content="Ajit Singh Sandhawalia"> <meta property="article:tag" content="Nau Nihal Singh"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire"> <link rel="schema.DCTERMS" href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"> <link rel="amphtml" href="https://amp.scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" }, "headline": "In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sc0.blr1.digitaloceanspaces.com/large/808042-article-yalsctvxal-1463073814.jpeg", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "keywords": "Lahore gardens, British Empire, Lahore, Muslim Shrines, Baradari, Kanwal Pratab Singh, Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, Nau Nihal Singh", "datePublished": "2016-05-13T19:30:00+05:30", "dateModified": "2016-05-13T19:30:02.214084+05:30", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Haroon Khalid", "sameAs": "https://scroll.in/author/387" } , "publisher": { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Scroll.in", "url" : "https://scroll.in", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://scroll.in/static/assets/scroll-logo-235x60.f692efa0f186cc40d85a5dac45e3a4af.003.png", "width": 235, "height": 60 }, "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/scroll.in", "https://www.twitter.com/scroll_in", "https://plus.google.com/scroll_in", "https://instagram.com/+ScrollIn"] }, "description": "The pavilion which contained one of the most famous gardens of the city is now in ruins." } </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Scroll.in", "url" : "https://scroll.in", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://scroll.in/static/assets/scroll-logo-235x60.f692efa0f186cc40d85a5dac45e3a4af.003.png", "width": 235, "height": 60 }, "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/scroll.in", "https://www.twitter.com/scroll_in", "https://plus.google.com/scroll_in", "https://instagram.com/+ScrollIn"] } </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "WebSite", "name" : "Scroll.in", "url" : "https://scroll.in", "potentialAction": { "@type":"SearchAction", "target":"https://scroll.in/search?q={search_term_string}", "query-input":"required name=search_term_string" } } </script><link rel="preload" as="style" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=DM+Serif+Display&amp;family=Noto+Sans:wght@400;700;900&amp;family=Noto+Serif:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&amp;family=Poppins:wght@400;500;600;700;900&amp;display=swap" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=DM+Serif+Display&amp;family=Noto+Sans:wght@400;700;900&amp;family=Noto+Serif:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&amp;family=Poppins:wght@400;500;600;700;900&amp;display=swap" media="print" onload="this.media='all'" /> <noscript> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=DM+Serif+Display&amp;family=Noto+Sans:wght@400;700;900&amp;family=Noto+Serif:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&amp;family=Poppins:wght@400;500;600;700;900&amp;display=swap" /> </noscript> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://scroll.in/static/css/base.f80095f40d349a499452.003.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://scroll.in/static/css/article.15e8d835e968ff63813a.003.css"> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-G1T78Y8E5C"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-G1T78Y8E5C'); </script> <script> (function() { var faLink = document.createElement('link'); faLink.type = 'text/css'; faLink.rel = 'stylesheet'; faLink.href='https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.0.6/css/all.css'; document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(faLink); })(); </script> </head> <body class=" scroll"> <div id="app-banner-container"></div> <nav class="main-navigation skeleton-navigation" id="main_navigation"> <div class="scroll-top-nav"> <div class="scroll-top-nav-wrapper"> <div class="scroll-top-left-nav"> <a href="#" class="hamburger-menu-container scroll-navigation-more"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="18"> <path fill="#C5C5C5" fill-rule="nonzero" d="M18.776.256H1.256C.566.256 0 .818 0 1.504c0 .687.565 1.248 1.256 1.248h17.488c.69 0 1.256-.561 1.256-1.248 0-.686-.534-1.248-1.224-1.248Zm-17.52 9.992H14.85c.69 0 1.256-.562 1.256-1.248 0-.686-.565-1.248-1.256-1.248H1.256C.566 7.752 0 8.314 0 9c0 .686.565 1.248 1.256 1.248Zm17.52 5H1.256c-.69 0-1.256.561-1.256 1.248 0 .686.565 1.248 1.256 1.248h17.488c.69 0 1.256-.562 1.256-1.248 0-.687-.534-1.248-1.224-1.248Z"> </path> </svg> </a> <ul class="scroll-top-left-nav-links non-list-items"> <li> <a class="newsletters hide-on-mobile" href="/newsletter">Newsletters</a> </li> <li> <a class="gift-membership hide-on-mobile" href="/gift-membership?utm_source=navbar">Gift Membership</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="scroll-top-center-nav"> <a class="scroll-logo-wrapper" href="/"> <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/scroll-logo.0f68c78dd023e2598248ea107feba562.003.svg" alt="Logo"> </a> <a class="scroll-logo-wrapper members-logo-wrapper" href="/"> <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/scroll-member.6be777075e9d469c2c2f1e1821e04169.003.svg" alt="Logo"> </a> </div> <div class="scroll-top-right-nav"> <div class="button-group"> <a href="//scroll.in/contribute?utm_source=web_navigation_bar" class="button-wrapper"> <button class="button brand-button become-member-button"> <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/coins-icon.e7de2a252144b8daed137824d8a08028.003.svg" alt="" class="hide-on-mobile"> <span class="hide-on-mobile">Become a member</span> <span class="hide-on-desktop">Subscribe</span> </button> </a> <a href="#" id="getAppNavButton" class="button-wrapper hideOnApp"> <button class="button scroll-app-entry-button"> <span>Get app</span> </button> </a> <a href="//scroll.in/signin" class="button-wrapper"> <button class="button signin-button"> <svg width="18" height="18" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M9 1c4.414 0 8 3.586 8 8s-3.586 8-8 8-8-3.586-8-8 3.586-8 8-8Zm0 .827a7.173 7.173 0 0 0-7.171 7.17c0 1.652.565 3.168 1.515 4.39 1.561-1.765 3.53-2.738 5.656-2.738 2.127 0 4.095.973 5.656 2.738a7.065 7.065 0 0 0 1.515-4.39A7.173 7.173 0 0 0 9 1.828Zm0 1.84a2.888 2.888 0 0 1 2.889 2.889A2.888 2.888 0 0 1 9 9.444a2.888 2.888 0 0 1-2.889-2.888A2.888 2.888 0 0 1 9 3.666Z" fill="#C5C5C5" fill-rule="nonzero"></path> </svg> <span class="hide-on-mobile">Sign in</span> </button> </a> <a href="//scroll.in/search" class="button-wrapper"> <button class="button search-button"> <svg width="12.5" height="12.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M12.102 11.496 9 8.388a4.929 4.929 0 0 0 1.148-3.18A4.948 4.948 0 1 0 .25 5.19c0 2.73 2.223 4.958 4.949 4.958a4.86 4.86 0 0 0 3.156-1.15l3.12 3.108c.09.09.197.144.322.144a.383.383 0 0 0 .305-.144c.197-.143.197-.43 0-.61ZM1.164 5.19a4.052 4.052 0 1 1 8.105 0A4.067 4.067 0 0 1 5.2 9.25a4.037 4.037 0 0 1-4.035-4.06Z" fill="#C5C5C5" fill-rule="nonzero" stroke="#C5C5C5" stroke-width=".5"></path> </svg> </button> </a> <div class="nav-tooltip scroll-app-tooltip hideOnApp" id="scrollAppNavTooltip" style="display: none"> <span class="nav-tooltip-title"> Take Scroll With You </span> <small class="nav-tooltip-description">Download the app to read our award-winning journalism on the go and stay up-to-date with our notifications.</small> <div class="scroll-app-upsell hideOnApp on-navigation-scroll-app-upsell"> <div class="sa-content"> <div class="sa-head"> <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/scroll-square-logo.9e100dd6eb50cbf476dd78e0586bb366.003.svg" alt="Get the app"> <span>Get the app</span> </div> <div class="sa-cta"> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.scroll.android" class="sa-cta-button sa-cta-mini-button ga-track" data-label="Android App Upsell clicked from navigation"> <span>ANDROID</span> <svg width="15.063" height="16.953" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m8.826 8.778 2.221 2.21L.737 16.92a.504.504 0 0 1-.071.033l8.16-8.175ZM.06.058 8.343 8.3.02 16.637A.496.496 0 0 1 0 16.494V.294C0 .213.02.132.06.06Zm11.464 6.017 3.29 1.892a.492.492 0 0 1 0 .855l-3.157 1.814-2.351-2.34 2.218-2.221ZM.965 0l9.95 5.724-2.09 2.095L.964 0Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </a> <a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/scroll-in-news/id1313224234" class="sa-cta-button sa-cta-mini-button ga-track" data-label="iOS App Upsell clicked from navigation"> <span>iOS</span> <svg width="13.987" height="17.192" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M11.683 9.143a3.907 3.907 0 0 1 1.86-3.278 4 4 0 0 0-3.15-1.704c-1.327-.139-2.612.794-3.288.794-.688 0-1.728-.78-2.849-.757a4.196 4.196 0 0 0-3.53 2.154C-.803 8.995.336 12.88 1.8 15.017c.732 1.047 1.587 2.216 2.706 2.174 1.095-.045 1.504-.698 2.826-.698 1.31 0 1.693.698 2.835.672 1.175-.02 1.915-1.051 2.622-2.107.525-.746.93-1.57 1.198-2.442a3.775 3.775 0 0 1-2.304-3.473ZM9.526 2.756c.64-.77.956-1.758.88-2.756a3.914 3.914 0 0 0-2.533 1.31 3.66 3.66 0 0 0-.902 2.654 3.236 3.236 0 0 0 2.555-1.208Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="button-group members-button-group"> <a href="//scroll.in/gift-membership" class="button-wrapper"> <button class="button gift-membership-button"> <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/gift-icon.36686dc2eba39329075a214cc01c7e84.003.svg" alt=""> <span>Gift Membership</span> </button> </a> <a href="//scroll.in/search" class="button-wrapper"> <button class="button search-button"> <svg width="12.5" height="12.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M12.102 11.496 9 8.388a4.929 4.929 0 0 0 1.148-3.18A4.948 4.948 0 1 0 .25 5.19c0 2.73 2.223 4.958 4.949 4.958a4.86 4.86 0 0 0 3.156-1.15l3.12 3.108c.09.09.197.144.322.144a.383.383 0 0 0 .305-.144c.197-.143.197-.43 0-.61ZM1.164 5.19a4.052 4.052 0 1 1 8.105 0A4.067 4.067 0 0 1 5.2 9.25a4.037 4.037 0 0 1-4.035-4.06Z" fill="#C5C5C5" fill-rule="nonzero" stroke="#C5C5C5" stroke-width=".5"></path> </svg> </button> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nav-feed-links-container"> <ul class="nav-feed-links-wrapper non-list-items"> <li data-stop-js="1" class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="All News Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Home </a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/topic/56439/common-ground" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Common Ground Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Common Ground </a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/topic/56455/the-india-fix" data-category="Mobile" data-label="India Fix Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> The India Fix </a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/topic/56120/eco-india" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Eco India Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Eco India </a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/latest/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Latest Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> The Latest </a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/reel/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Reel Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> The Reel </a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/magazine/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Magazine Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Magazine </a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="//scroll.in/video/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Videoblog Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Video </a> </li> <li class="nav-dropdown-menu nav-trending scroll-navigation-trending has-submenu"> <a href="#" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Trending Clicked from menu" class="ga-track has-flex"> Trending <div class="navigation-icon-container"> <svg width="8.195" height="4.751" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M.185.19A.616.616 0 0 1 .64 0c.17 0 .34.057.454.19l3.013 2.993L7.1.19a.652.652 0 0 1 .909 0 .652.652 0 0 1 0 .909L4.562 4.566a.652.652 0 0 1-.91 0L.185 1.1a.652.652 0 0 1 0-.91Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="nonzero"></path> </svg> </div> </a> <ul class="non-list-items" style="display: none"><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076919/what-the-uproar-over-atul-subhashs-death-by-suicide-says-about-gender-relations-in-india">What the uproar over Atul Subhash’s death by suicide says about gender relations in India</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/1076853/1971-surrender-photo-removed-from-army-chiefs-office-replaced-by-mahabharata-inspired-painting">1971 surrender photo removed from Army chief’s office, replaced by Mahabharata-inspired painting</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076595/five-ways-to-supercharge-your-daily-walk">Five ways to supercharge your daily walk</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/1076932/bjp-to-send-notices-to-lok-sabha-mps-absent-for-introduction-of-one-nation-one-election-bills">BJP to send notices to Lok Sabha MPs absent for introduction of ‘one nation, one election” bills</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076664/how-bjp-offensive-on-bangladesh-is-roiling-politics-on-the-bengal-border">How BJP offensive on Bangladesh is roiling politics on the Bengal border</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/magazine/1076466/after-ridiculing-him-all-his-life-the-carnatic-music-world-is-celebrating-md-ramanathan">After ridiculing him all his life, the Carnatic music world is celebrating MD Ramanathan</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076889/through-stories-of-food-nobel-laureate-abhijit-banerjee-examines-how-economics-influences-culture">Through stories of food, Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee examines how economics influences culture</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/reel/1076765/girls-will-be-girls-review-a-beautifully-observed-coming-of-age-story">‘Girls Will Be Girls’ review: A beautifully observed coming of age story </a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076669/indias-semiconductor-ambitions-could-risk-worker-safety">India’s semiconductor ambitions could risk worker safety</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/magazine/1076792/what-american-steel-baron-andrew-carnegie-thought-of-varanasi-and-the-taj">What American steel baron Andrew Carnegie thought of Varanasi and the Taj</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076385/in-garb-of-amendments-waqf-bill-intends-to-undo-one-of-indias-oldest-muslim-institutions">In garb of ‘amendments’, waqf bill intends to undo one of India’s oldest Muslim institutions</a> </li><li> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076655/good-readers-have-different-brains-says-research">Good readers have different brains, says research</a> </li></ul> </li> <li class="nav-dropdown-menu nav-sections scroll-navigation-sections has-submenu"> <a href="#" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Sections Clicked from menu" class="ga-track has-flex"> Sections <div class="navigation-icon-container"> <svg width="8.195" height="4.751" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M.185.19A.616.616 0 0 1 .64 0c.17 0 .34.057.454.19l3.013 2.993L7.1.19a.652.652 0 0 1 .909 0 .652.652 0 0 1 0 .909L4.562 4.566a.652.652 0 0 1-.91 0L.185 1.1a.652.652 0 0 1 0-.91Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="nonzero"></path> </svg> </div> </a> <ul class="non-list-items" style="display: none"> <!-- Filtering out opinion since it is used outside sections --> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/76/politics" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Politics</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/107/culture" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Culture</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/105/india" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">India</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/3554/world" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">World</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/3/film-and-tv" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Film and TV</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/4/music" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Music</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/80/books-and-ideas" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Books and Ideas</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/77/business-and-economy" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Business and Economy</a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/category/83/science-and-technology" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Science and Technology</a> </li><li> <a href="//scroll.in/roving/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="In pictures Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> In Pictures </a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/announcements/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Section icon clicked" class="ga-track">Announcements</a> </li> <li> <a href="//shop.scroll.in" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Bookshop Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Bookshop </a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/field/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Field Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> The Field </a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/pulse/" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Pulse Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Pulse </a> </li> <li> <a href="//scroll.in/elections/2024" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Election 2024 Clicked from menu" class="ga-track"> Elections 2024 </a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <div id="infoModal"></div> <div class="error-message warning" style="display: none"> <p><i class="fa fa-exclamation-circle"></i><span class="error-message-block"></span></p> </div> <div id="modal-container"></div> <div class="tooltip-container" style="display:none"> <div id="tooltip"></div> </div> <div id="contributeModal"></div> <div id="notification-alert-banner"></div> <div id="GDPRAlertBanner"></div> <div class="main-container " > <div class="below-navigation-banner-wrapper"> <section class="ad-loader"> <div class="circle-border"> <div class="circle-core"></div> </div> <span class="ad-loader-text">Ad</span> </section> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0' class="header-bidding below-navigation-banner"></div> </div> <script> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; window.gptSlots = window.gptSlots || {}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { var mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([0, 0], []) .addSize([320, 50], ["fluid", [300, 250]]) .addSize([768, 50], ["fluid", [300, 250]]) .addSize([1050, 250], ["fluid", [300, 250], [970, 250], [728, 90], [970, 90]]) .build(); window.gptSlots["div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0"] = googletag.defineSlot( '/21719278143/scroll-web-all-below-navigation', [[970, 250], [728, 90], [970, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], "fluid"], 'div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0') .defineSizeMapping(mapping) .addService(googletag.companionAds()) .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting('refresh', 'true') .setTargeting('refreshcount', '0') .setCollapseEmptyDiv(false); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(false); googletag.pubads().enableVideoAds(); googletag.enableServices(); if (false) { window.gptSlots["div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0"].setCollapseEmptyDiv(true, true); } else { window.gptSlots["div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0"].setCollapseEmptyDiv(false); } }); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0'); }); </script> <div class="sticky-bottom-carousel trending-carousel carousel-is-sticky"> <div class="sticky-bottom-carousel-wrapper"> <div class="sticky-bottom-carousel-navigators"> <a href="#"> <div class="navigator previous-element-navigator"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="4.9" height="8.8"> <path fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M.2 4.8 4 8.6a.5.5 0 1 0 .8-.7L1.3 4.4 4.8.9A.5.5 0 1 0 4 .2L.2 4l-.2.3v.2c0 .1 0 .2.2.3Z"></path> </svg> </div> </a> <a href="#"> <div class="navigator next-element-navigator is-active"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="4.9" height="8.8"> <path fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M.2 4.8 4 8.6a.5.5 0 1 0 .8-.7L1.3 4.4 4.8.9A.5.5 0 1 0 4 .2L.2 4l-.2.3v.2c0 .1 0 .2.2.3Z"></path> </svg> </div> </a> </div> <div class="sticky-bottom-carousel-content"> <header> <span>OTHERS ARE</span> <h3> Reading <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/notification-bell.f310cc4281baa94bf6880b656db03c3c.003.svg" alt="icon" class="hide-on-dark"> <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/dm-notification-bell.817f465fce370fcee485dc3b087448f6.003.svg" alt="icon" class="show-on-dark"> </h3> </header> <ul class="sticky-bottom-carousel-content-container" id="cardsWrapper"> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076919/what-the-uproar-over-atul-subhashs-death-by-suicide-says-about-gender-relations-in-india"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204881-sfsqzodvcs-1734442023.jpg" alt="What the uproar over Atul Subhash’s death by suicide says about gender relations in India"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">1</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>What the uproar over Atul Subhash’s death by suicide says about gender relations in India</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/1076853/1971-surrender-photo-removed-from-army-chiefs-office-replaced-by-mahabharata-inspired-painting"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204860-xdaaecycff-1734336616.jpg" alt="1971 surrender photo removed from Army chief’s office, replaced by Mahabharata-inspired painting"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">2</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>1971 surrender photo removed from Army chief’s office, replaced by Mahabharata-inspired painting</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076595/five-ways-to-supercharge-your-daily-walk"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/136543-gtosjcdynn-1581677635.jpg" alt="Five ways to supercharge your daily walk"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">3</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>Five ways to supercharge your daily walk</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/1076932/bjp-to-send-notices-to-lok-sabha-mps-absent-for-introduction-of-one-nation-one-election-bills"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204882-kiaxiepzop-1734490737.jpeg" alt="BJP to send notices to Lok Sabha MPs absent for introduction of ‘one nation, one election” bills"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">4</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>BJP to send notices to Lok Sabha MPs absent for introduction of ‘one nation, one election” bills</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076664/how-bjp-offensive-on-bangladesh-is-roiling-politics-on-the-bengal-border"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204813-wjwnyauzou-1734000253.jpg" alt="How BJP offensive on Bangladesh is roiling politics on the Bengal border"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">5</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>How BJP offensive on Bangladesh is roiling politics on the Bengal border</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/magazine/1076466/after-ridiculing-him-all-his-life-the-carnatic-music-world-is-celebrating-md-ramanathan"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204737-odkdoyciym-1733722379.jpg" alt="After ridiculing him all his life, the Carnatic music world is celebrating MD Ramanathan"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">6</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>After ridiculing him all his life, the Carnatic music world is celebrating MD Ramanathan</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076889/through-stories-of-food-nobel-laureate-abhijit-banerjee-examines-how-economics-influences-culture"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://d1u4oo4rb13yy8.cloudfront.net/thumbnail/cpdtisxcvt-1528384545.jpg" alt="Through stories of food, Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee examines how economics influences culture"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">7</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>Through stories of food, Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee examines how economics influences culture</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/reel/1076765/girls-will-be-girls-review-a-beautifully-observed-coming-of-age-story"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204817-tzdpeadpph-1734007237.jpeg" alt="‘Girls Will Be Girls’ review: A beautifully observed coming of age story "> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">8</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>‘Girls Will Be Girls’ review: A beautifully observed coming of age story </p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076669/indias-semiconductor-ambitions-could-risk-worker-safety"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204774-crcbfxntcq-1733838923.jpg" alt="India’s semiconductor ambitions could risk worker safety"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">9</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>India’s semiconductor ambitions could risk worker safety</p> </div> </a> </li> <li class="sticky-bottom-carousel-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/magazine/1076792/what-american-steel-baron-andrew-carnegie-thought-of-varanasi-and-the-taj"> <div class="carousel-card-figure-container"> <figure> <picture> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbnail/204824-yystoadzbj-1734080326.jpg" alt="What American steel baron Andrew Carnegie thought of Varanasi and the Taj"> </picture> </figure> <div class="carousel-card-count-container"> <div class="carousel-card-count"> <span class="count">10</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="carousel-card-info-container"> <p>What American steel baron Andrew Carnegie thought of Varanasi and the Taj</p> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="server-articles" class="article-page scroll-article-page"> <!-- ARTICLE STARTS HERE--> <article id="article-unique-808042" data-series-id="0" class="article scroll-article normal-article scroll-in-article" data-seo-title="None" data-title="In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire" data-permalink="http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" data-id="808042" data-cb-authors="Haroon Khalid" data-cb-categories="Scroll.in, World" data-in-viewport="true"> <!-- ARTICLE HEADER --> <header> <span class="orange-tag"> <a href="//scroll.in/topic/6277/across-the-border"> Across the border </a> </span> <h1>In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire</h1> <h2>The pavilion which contained one of the most famous gardens of the city is now in ruins.</h2> <!-- MOBILE & TABLET ONLY META--> <div class="article-meta-container-with-comments"> <div class="article-meta-container"> <address><a href="//scroll.in/author/387" rel="author" >Haroon Khalid</a></address> <div class="article-time-container"> <time datetime="2016-05-13T19:30:00+05:30" class="article-published-time"> May 13, 2016 &middot; 07:30 pm </time> </div> </div> <div class="scroll-app-upsell hideOnApp near-timestamp-scroll-app-upsell"> <div class="sa-content"> <div class="sa-head"> <span>Read in App</span> </div> <div class="sa-cta"> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.scroll.android" class="sa-cta-button sa-cta-mini-button ga-track" data-label="Android App Upsell clicked from article header"> <svg width="15.063" height="16.953" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m8.826 8.778 2.221 2.21L.737 16.92a.504.504 0 0 1-.071.033l8.16-8.175ZM.06.058 8.343 8.3.02 16.637A.496.496 0 0 1 0 16.494V.294C0 .213.02.132.06.06Zm11.464 6.017 3.29 1.892a.492.492 0 0 1 0 .855l-3.157 1.814-2.351-2.34 2.218-2.221ZM.965 0l9.95 5.724-2.09 2.095L.964 0Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </a> <a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/scroll-in-news/id1313224234" class="sa-cta-button sa-cta-mini-button ga-track" data-label="iOs App Upsell clicked from article header"> <svg width="13.987" height="17.192" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M11.683 9.143a3.907 3.907 0 0 1 1.86-3.278 4 4 0 0 0-3.15-1.704c-1.327-.139-2.612.794-3.288.794-.688 0-1.728-.78-2.849-.757a4.196 4.196 0 0 0-3.53 2.154C-.803 8.995.336 12.88 1.8 15.017c.732 1.047 1.587 2.216 2.706 2.174 1.095-.045 1.504-.698 2.826-.698 1.31 0 1.693.698 2.835.672 1.175-.02 1.915-1.051 2.622-2.107.525-.746.93-1.57 1.198-2.442a3.775 3.775 0 0 1-2.304-3.473ZM9.526 2.756c.64-.77.956-1.758.88-2.756a3.914 3.914 0 0 0-2.533 1.31 3.66 3.66 0 0 0-.902 2.654 3.236 3.236 0 0 0 2.555-1.208Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <!-- END OF MOBILE & TABLET ONLY META--> </header> <!-- END OF ARTICLE HEADER--> <!-- ARTICLE IMAGE--> <figure class="featured-image"><picture><img src="https://sc0.blr1.digitaloceanspaces.com/large/808042-article-yalsctvxal-1463073814.jpeg" loading="lazy" alt="In Lahore, overflowing garbage marks the spot where the final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire"> </picture> <figcaption class="featured-image-caption"> Author provided </figcaption> </figure> <!-- END OF ARTICLE IMAGE--> <!-- ARTICLE CONTENT--> <div class="article-content-container"> <!-- ARTICLE RENDER FROM CMS--> <section class="article-content scroll-article-content normal-article-content large-6 columns"> <div id="article-contents" class="article-body"> <p>Sitting inside the baradari (pavilion), Maharaja Sher Singh and his son, Kanvar Pratab Singh, watched the Khalsa Army parade in front of them. Before him, his father, Maharaja Ranjit Singh too sometimes used to inspect his army at this garden, earning it the title of parade ground.</p><p>The river Ravi flowed just behind this 16th century baradari associated with the Sufi saint Shah Bilawal. It is here, on the banks of Ravi, that Shah Bilawal set up his madrassa. Later, when he passed away, his son buried him here, and constructed a huge garden around this structure. Only a few kilometers away from the historical Shalimar Bagh, this was one of the most famous gardens of Lahore, a city which was once known as a city of gardens.</p><p>I carefully walked into the baradari unaware of what to expect. The building had been abandoned many years ago. Its roof was missing, while its colorful frescoes comprising floral and geometrical patterns were slowly fading away. It was easy to tell that this must have been a beautiful building in its splendour.</p><p><strong>Garden of kings</strong></p><p>Just behind the baradari was an enclosure of the Lahore Waste Management Company. In the courtyard of this building there was a yellow trash can overflowing with garbage, while the floor was completely covered with trash.</p><p>There was no boundary wall dividing this baradari – once part of a splendid garden – and this office with trash. Some trash spilled over into the baradari.</p><figure class="cms-block cms-block-image " itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" data-width="-1" data-height="-1" style="display: none;"><img src="https://sc0.blr1.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/808042-26988446755_05fc473282.jpg" alt="" title="" itemprop="contentUrl" /></figure><p>The baradari was located in the middle of a congested locality called Bhogiwal in Lahore. It is hard to believe that there was once a spacious garden here, visited by kings. Next to the ruins of the baradari were the remains of the smadh of Maharaja Sher Singh. </p><p>On September 15, 1843, while Sher Singh was inspecting his troops, his cousin Ajit Singh Sandhawalia asked him to come out of the baradari and inspect a new English rifle that he had acquired.</p><p>Ajit Singh Sandhawalia had returned to Lahore four months earlier, two years after his departure. For two years, Ajit Singh Sandhawalia had taken refuge with the British, writing letters to the Khalsa Army, inciting them against Maharaja Sher Singh. He returned to Lahore through the good offices of the British, who helped in reconciliation.</p><p>Unaware of the plot, Maharaja Sher Singh stepped out of the baradari to inspect the rifle. When he got closer, Ajit Singh fired at the Maharaja. Then, to make sure that the Maharaja wouldn’t survive, he took out his sword and cut off his head. Ajit Singh’s elder brother, Lahina Singh Sandhawalia, then killed the 12-year-old Kanvar Pratab Singh.</p><p> <strong>End of an empire</strong> </p><p>Escaping the scene, both Ajit Singh and Lahina Singh reached the Lahore fort, where they assassinated Dhiyan Singh, the Prime Minister of Maharaja Sher Singh.</p><p>He was a controversial figure who had also previously served as the Prime Minister of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Kharak Singh and Nau Nihal Singh.</p><p>Dhiyan Singh’s son, Hira Singh, with the help of a section of the Khalsa Army and the battalion of the legendary General Avitabile, lay siege on the Lahore fort and eventually killed Ajit Singh and Lahina Singh. The brothers’ heads were then severed and exhibited at the different gates of Lahore.</p><p>The mighty Sikh Empire, the last major independent kingdom in India, crumbled quickly after the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh. Following his death, his five-year old step brother, Daleep Singh, was appointed as the Maharaja, while his mother Jind Kaur served as the Regent, a move that was challenged by Peshaura Singh and Kashmira Singh, the two elder sons of Ranjit Singh.</p><p>By now, the British knew that the Sikh Empire would soon fade away, a process that had started in 1839 after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In 1849, after suffering losses at the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Maharaja Daleep Singh handed over Punjab to the British, giving up the title of Maharaja.</p><p>It was here, in the shadows of this baradari, that a final blow was dealt to the Sikh Empire. Maharaja Sher Singh was the last sovereign ruler of Punjab, as Daleep Singh and the Regent served under the influence of the British Resident who was installed at the Lahore Durbar in 1846 after the First Anglo-Sikh War.</p><p><strong>Steady decline</strong></p><p>The situation, however, was not much better even before Sher Singh. Kharak Singh, the eldest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, replaced him but he was overthrown by his talented 18-year-old son, Nau Nihal Singh.</p><p>Kharak Singh died on November 5, 1840. On the same day, Nau Nihal died after suffering a fatal blow following the collapse of an arch. His mother, Chand Kaur, assumed the responsibility of the throne as a Regent, alleging that Nau Nihal’s wife was pregnant. The much awaited son was stillborn, and she was then replaced by the impatient Sher Singh, who took the throne in 1841, becoming the third Maharaja of Punjab in two years. This was the root of the conflict between Ajit Singh and Sher Singh. Ajit Singh supported Nau Nihal’s mother Chand Kaur during her conflict with Sher Singh, whom he felt had cheated her of the throne.</p><p>Even though it was perhaps evident that the Sikh Empire was on the decline, supporters of the throne clung to any hope. However, with the death of Sher Singh, all hopes for a stable Punjab Empire vanished.</p><p>The famous foreigner generals of Ranjit Singh, who had modernised the Khalsa Army and also served under his successors, left Punjab, perhaps aware of times to come. Just 10 years after the death of Sher-e-Punjab, his empire had been destroyed by his successors.</p><figure class="cms-block cms-block-image has-subtext" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" data-width="-1" data-height="-1" style="display: none;"><img src="https://sc0.blr1.digitaloceanspaces.com/inline/808042-26894087262_43224cee0c_z.jpg" alt="" title="Sometime in the past few years, the smadh of Maharaja Sher Singh was converted into a Muslim shrine." itemprop="contentUrl" /><figcaption itemprop="caption description">Sometime in the past few years, the smadh of Maharaja Sher Singh was converted into a Muslim shrine.</figcaption></figure><p><strong>Today's legacy</strong></p><p>Only one part of the external wall of the smadh of Maharaja Sher Singh survived. It had been painted in white with a red boundary. Under the shadow of the smadh, a middle-aged man prepared bhang while next to him a woman sold eatables and incense stick.</p><p>Sometime in the past few years, the smadh of Maharaja Sher Singh was converted into a Muslim shrine. This has been the fate of several Hindu and Sikh shrines across the country, re-appropriated accordingly. But this was not a shrine, but the final resting place of a king. Perhaps in pre-Partition Lahore, Sikh pilgrims came to this smadh to pay their obeisance to the last sovereign Maharaja of Punjab.</p><p>Now, Muslim pilgrims and devotees visit his smadh, not for their Maharaja but an unknown Muslim saint. This is how the legacy of the last sovereign Maharaja of Punjab continues in Lahore, a city from where he once ruled a vast empire.</p><p><em>Haroon Khalid is the author of the books </em>In Search of Shiva: A study of folk religious practices in Pakistan<em> and </em>A White Trail: A journey into the heart of Pakistan’s religious minorities<em>.</em></p> </div> <div class="scroll-app-upsell hideOnApp below-article-scroll-app-upsell"> <div class="sa-content"> <div class="sa-head"> <img src="https://scroll.in/static/assets/scroll-square-logo.9e100dd6eb50cbf476dd78e0586bb366.003.svg" width="20" height="20" alt="Get the app"> <span>Get the app</span> </div> <div class="sa-cta"> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.scroll.android" class="sa-cta-button sa-cta-mini-button ga-track" data-label="Android App Upsell clicked from below article"> <span>ANDROID</span> <svg width="15.063" height="16.953" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="m8.826 8.778 2.221 2.21L.737 16.92a.504.504 0 0 1-.071.033l8.16-8.175ZM.06.058 8.343 8.3.02 16.637A.496.496 0 0 1 0 16.494V.294C0 .213.02.132.06.06Zm11.464 6.017 3.29 1.892a.492.492 0 0 1 0 .855l-3.157 1.814-2.351-2.34 2.218-2.221ZM.965 0l9.95 5.724-2.09 2.095L.964 0Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </a> <a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/scroll-in-news/id1313224234" class="sa-cta-button sa-cta-mini-button ga-track" data-label="iOS App Upsell clicked from below article"> <span>iOS</span> <svg width="13.987" height="17.192" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M11.683 9.143a3.907 3.907 0 0 1 1.86-3.278 4 4 0 0 0-3.15-1.704c-1.327-.139-2.612.794-3.288.794-.688 0-1.728-.78-2.849-.757a4.196 4.196 0 0 0-3.53 2.154C-.803 8.995.336 12.88 1.8 15.017c.732 1.047 1.587 2.216 2.706 2.174 1.095-.045 1.504-.698 2.826-.698 1.31 0 1.693.698 2.835.672 1.175-.02 1.915-1.051 2.622-2.107.525-.746.93-1.57 1.198-2.442a3.775 3.775 0 0 1-2.304-3.473ZM9.526 2.756c.64-.77.956-1.758.88-2.756a3.914 3.914 0 0 0-2.533 1.31 3.66 3.66 0 0 0-.902 2.654 3.236 3.236 0 0 0 2.555-1.208Z" fill="#000" fill-rule="evenodd"></path> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="contributeBlock"></div> <i class="mail-us-section"> We welcome your comments at <a href="mailto:?Subject=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire&amp;to=letters@scroll.in" target="_blank">letters@scroll.in</a>. </i> <ul class="article-tags-list"><li> <a href="//scroll.in/tag/Sikh-Empire" class="tag-menu"> Sikh Empire </a> </li><li> <a href="//scroll.in/tag/Sher-Singh" class="tag-menu"> Sher Singh </a> </li></ul> <div class="below-article-share-block no-comment"> <ul class="article-share-sheet show-for-large"> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-whatsapp show-for-small-only"> <a href="whatsapp://send?text=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire%0A%0Ahttp://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Whatsapp share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-print fab fa-whatsapp"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Facebook share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-facebook fab fa-facebook-f"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire&amp;url=http%3A//scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire&amp;via=scroll_in" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Twitter share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-twitter fab fa-twitter"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-email"> <a href="mailto:?Subject=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire&amp;body=http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" target="_blank" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Email share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-email fas fa-envelope"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-reddit"> <a href="http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire&amp;title=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Reddit share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-google fab fa-reddit-alien"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-print show-for-large"> <a href="/article/print/808042" target="_blank" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Print button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-print fas fa-print"></i> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <!-- END OF ARTICLE RENDER FROM CMS--> <!-- SHARE BAR FOR MOBILE--> <div class="share-bar-mobile fixedsticky hide-for-large"> <div class="tablet-width-container"> <!-- ARTICLE VIEW COUNTER--> <!-- END OF ARTICLE VIEW COUNTER--> <!-- ARTICLE SHARE SHEET--> <ul class="article-share-sheet"> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-whatsapp show-for-small-only"> <a href="whatsapp://send?text=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire%0A%0Ahttp://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Whatsapp share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-print fab fa-whatsapp"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Facebook share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-facebook fab fa-facebook-f"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire&amp;url=http%3A//scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire&amp;via=scroll_in" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Twitter share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-twitter fab fa-twitter"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-email"> <a href="mailto:?Subject=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire&amp;body=http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire" target="_blank" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Email share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-email fas fa-envelope"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-reddit"> <a href="http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=http://scroll.in/article/808042/in-lahore-overflowing-garbage-marks-the-spot-where-the-final-blow-was-dealt-to-the-sikh-empire&amp;title=In%20Lahore%2C%20overflowing%20garbage%20marks%20the%20spot%20where%20the%20final%20blow%20was%20dealt%20to%20the%20Sikh%20Empire" target="new" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Reddit share button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-google fab fa-reddit-alien"></i> </a> </li> <li class="article-share-link article-share-link-print show-for-large"> <a href="/article/print/808042" target="_blank" data-category="Mobile" data-label="Print button clicked" class="ga-track"> <i class="icon icon-print fas fa-print"></i> </a> </li> </ul> <!-- END OF ARTICLE SHARE SHEET--> </div> <!-- END OF SHARE BAR FOR MOBILE--> </div> </section> <!-- RECOMMENDED ARTICLES BAR--> <aside class="article-recommended-list-container large-3 columns" id="recommendedArticlesBar"> <div class="article-related"> <h3>Related</h3> <div class="card related-card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1075140/in-sindh-police-killing-of-muslim-doctor-accused-of-blasphemy-casts-pall-over-diwali-festivities" data-label="Clicked from related article section of article page" class="ga-track"> <figure> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/book/204211-prkgixwntx-1730426952.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="In Sindh, police killing of Muslim doctor accused of ‘blasphemy’ casts pall over Diwali festivities "> </figure> <h4>In Sindh, police killing of Muslim doctor accused of ‘blasphemy’ casts pall over Diwali festivities </h4> </a> </div> </div> <div class="card-container-parent"> <h3>Trending</h3> <div class="article-recommended-list"> <ol class="cards-container"> <li class="card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076919/what-the-uproar-over-atul-subhashs-death-by-suicide-says-about-gender-relations-in-india" data-label="Clicked from Trending section of article page" class="ga-track"> <figure> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/book/204881-sfsqzodvcs-1734442023.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="What the uproar over Atul Subhash’s death by suicide says about gender relations in India"> </figure> <h4>What the uproar over Atul Subhash’s death by suicide says about gender relations in India</h4> </a> </li> <li class="card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/1076853/1971-surrender-photo-removed-from-army-chiefs-office-replaced-by-mahabharata-inspired-painting" data-label="Clicked from Trending section of article page" class="ga-track"> <figure> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/book/204860-xdaaecycff-1734336616.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="1971 surrender photo removed from Army chief’s office, replaced by Mahabharata-inspired painting"> </figure> <h4>1971 surrender photo removed from Army chief’s office, replaced by Mahabharata-inspired painting</h4> </a> </li> <li class="card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076595/five-ways-to-supercharge-your-daily-walk" data-label="Clicked from Trending section of article page" class="ga-track"> <figure> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/book/136543-gtosjcdynn-1581677635.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Five ways to supercharge your daily walk"> </figure> <h4>Five ways to supercharge your daily walk</h4> </a> </li> <li class="card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/1076932/bjp-to-send-notices-to-lok-sabha-mps-absent-for-introduction-of-one-nation-one-election-bills" data-label="Clicked from Trending section of article page" class="ga-track"> <figure> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/book/204882-kiaxiepzop-1734490737.jpeg" loading="lazy" alt="BJP to send notices to Lok Sabha MPs absent for introduction of ‘one nation, one election” bills"> </figure> <h4>BJP to send notices to Lok Sabha MPs absent for introduction of ‘one nation, one election” bills</h4> </a> </li> <li class="card"> <a href="https://scroll.in/article/1076664/how-bjp-offensive-on-bangladesh-is-roiling-politics-on-the-bengal-border" data-label="Clicked from Trending section of article page" class="ga-track"> <figure> <img src="https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/book/204813-wjwnyauzou-1734000253.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="How BJP offensive on Bangladesh is roiling politics on the Bengal border"> </figure> <h4>How BJP offensive on Bangladesh is roiling politics on the Bengal border</h4> </a> </li> </ol> </div> </div> </aside> <!-- END OF RECOMMENDED ARTICLES BAR--> </div> <!-- END OF ARTICLE CONTENT--> </article> </div> <div id="vue-articles"></div> </div> <!-- to be renamed --> <div id="bottomStickyWrapper" class="bottom-sticky-banner-wrapper engagement-bar hide hideOnApp hide-for-large" > <section class="ad-loader"> <div class="circle-border"> <div class="circle-core"></div> </div> <span class="ad-loader-text">Ad</span> </section> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3" class="header-bidding bottom-sticky-banner"></div> </div> <script> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; window.gptSlots = window.gptSlots || {}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { var mapping = googletag.sizeMapping() .addSize([0, 0], []) .addSize([320, 50], [[320, 50]]) .addSize([768, 50], []) .addSize([1050, 250], []) .build(); window.gptSlots["div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3"] = googletag.defineSlot( '/21719278143/scroll-web-all-bottom-sticky', [[320, 50]], 'div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3') .defineSizeMapping(mapping) .addService(googletag.companionAds()) .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting('refresh', 'true') .setTargeting('refreshcount', '0') .setCollapseEmptyDiv(false); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(false); googletag.pubads().enableVideoAds(); googletag.enableServices(); if (true) { window.gptSlots["div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3"].setCollapseEmptyDiv(true, true); } else { window.gptSlots["div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3"].setCollapseEmptyDiv(false); } }); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3'); }); </script> <div id="search-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> var PWT = {}; //Initialize Namespace var notifyId; var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; var gptRan = false; var loadGPT = function() { if (!gptRan) { gptRan = true; var gads = document.createElement('script'); var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol; gads.src = (useSSL ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js'; var node = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node); } } // Failsafe to call gpt. setTimeout(loadGPT, 1000); PWT.jsLoaded = function(){ //PubMatic pwt.js on load callback is used to load GPT loadGPT(); }; (function() { var purl = window.location.href; var url = `//ads.pubmatic.com/AdServer/js/pwt/159549/2471`; var profileVersionId = ''; if(purl.indexOf('pwtv=')>0){ var regexp = /pwtv=(.*?)(&|$)/g; var matches = regexp.exec(purl); if(matches.length >= 2 && matches[1].length > 0){ profileVersionId = '/'+matches[1]; } } var wtads = document.createElement('script'); wtads.async = true; wtads.type = 'text/javascript'; wtads.src = url+profileVersionId+'/pwt.js'; var node = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; node.parentNode.insertBefore(wtads, node); })(); </script> <script> !function(a9,a,p,s,t,A,g){if(a[a9])return;function q(c,r){a[a9]._Q.push([c,r])}a[a9]={init:function(){q("i",arguments)},fetchBids:function(){q("f",arguments)},setDisplayBids:function(){},_Q:[]};A=p.createElement(s);A.async=!0;A.src=t;g=p.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];g.parentNode.insertBefore(A,g)}("apstag",window,document,"script","//c.amazon-adsystem.com/aax2/apstag.js"); apstag.init({ pubID: '0835b91a-5d46-4392-b08d-7f2a8466259b', adServer: 'googletag', simplerGPT: true }); googletag.cmd.push(function(){ // TODO: Make ad unit ids dynamic notifyId = window.OWT.registerExternalBidders(['div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0', 'div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-1', 'div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-2', 'div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3']); // Notifies OpenWrap that there are some external bidders for which it has to wait before calling GAM. apstag.fetchBids( { timeout: 2e3 }, function(bids) { apstag.setDisplayBids(); window.OWT.notifyExternalBiddingComplete(notifyId); } ); }); </script> <script> (function() { var _Scroll = window._Scroll || {}; _Scroll.siteLang = "en"; _Scroll.baseLink = '//scroll.in'; _Scroll.currentName = 'scroll'; _Scroll.isBrand = ''; _Scroll.months = ['January', 'February', 'March', 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September', 'October', 'November', 'December']; _Scroll.weekdays = ['Sunday', 'Monday', 'Tuesday', 'Wednesday', 'Thursday', 'Friday', 'Saturday']; _Scroll.timelines = ['Today', 'Yesterday']; _Scroll.quantifiers = ['ago', 'seconds', 'minute', 'minutes', 'hour', 'hours', 'day', 'days', 'month', 'months', 'year', 'years', 'a', 'an' ]; _Scroll.subscribed = false; _Scroll.userGroups = {"expired": "expired", "registered": "registered", "subscriber": "subscriber", "unverified": "unverified"}; _Scroll.subscriptions_enabled = false; _Scroll.isCanvasShown = false; _Scroll.comments_enabled = false; _Scroll.showBannerAds = true; _Scroll.adx = {"canvas_enabled": false, "enabled": true, "openwrap": {"amp_profile_id": "2477", "enabled": true, "pub_id": "159549", "web_profile_id": "2471"}, "out_of_page": {"in_article": {"div_id": "div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-oop-in-article", "mapping": [1, 1], "slot_id": "/21719278143/scroll-web-all-oop-in-article"}}, "slots": {"below_navigation": {"amp_slot_id": "/21719278143/scroll-amp-all-below-navigation", "div_id": "div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-0", "mapping": [[], ["fluid", [300, 250]], ["fluid", [300, 250]], ["fluid", [300, 250], [970, 250], [728, 90], [970, 90]]], "sizes": [[970, 250], [728, 90], [970, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], "fluid"], "slot_id": "/21719278143/scroll-web-all-below-navigation"}, "bottom_sticky": {"amp_slot_id": "/21719278143/scroll-amp-all-bottom-sticky", "div_id": "div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-3", "mapping": [[], [[320, 50]], [], []], "sizes": [[320, 50]], "slot_id": "/21719278143/scroll-web-all-bottom-sticky"}, "in_article": {"amp_slot_id": "/21719278143/scroll-amp-all-in-article", "div_id": "div-gpt-ad-1530701734090-2", "mapping": [[], ["fluid", [300, 250], [430, 430], [1, 1]], ["fluid", [300, 250], [430, 430], [1, 1]], ["fluid", [300, 250], [970, 250], [728, 90], [970, 90], [1440, 520], [1, 1]]], "sizes": [[970, 250], [728, 90], [970, 90], [300, 250], [430, 430], [1440, 520], [1, 1], "fluid"], "slot_id": "/21719278143/scroll-web-all-in-article"}}}; _Scroll.gonativeApp = false; _Scroll.articleFeed = 'series'; _Scroll.seriesTitle = 'Scroll.in'; _Scroll.gaId = 'G-G1T78Y8E5C'; _Scroll.publication = 'scroll'; _Scroll.electionWidgetArticles = {"1075969": {"chart_id": 23, "limit": 288, "source": "ECI/media reports"}, "1075986": {"chart_id": 24, "limit": 81, "source": "ECI/media reports"}}; _Scroll.experimentMap = {"membership_exp_international_5_subscription": {"base": [2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, 20], "variant": []}} window._Scroll = _Scroll; })(); </script> <script> (function() { var _Scroll = window._Scroll || {}; _Scroll.lastArticleId = 808042; _Scroll.seriesId = 0; _Scroll.categoryIds = [3554]; _Scroll.templateMap = {'normal': [1, 11], 'thin': [2, 3, 4], 'pollable': [10], 'audio': [5], 'deal': [9], 'recipe': [12]}; _Scroll.notShowingCoverFor = [3, 4]; _Scroll.load_bulletin = true;_Scroll.isFromHomePage = false; window._Scroll = _Scroll; })(); </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{ "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@id": "https://scroll.in/category/3554/world", "name": "World" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@id": "https://scroll.in/topic/6277/across-the-border", "name": "Across The Border" } }] } </script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.4.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <script crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/vue/2.5.17/vue.min.js"></script><script src="https://scroll.in/static/js/common.da7734ceb5d95334d954.003.js"></script> <script src="https://scroll.in/static/js/article.81d69f1301eab9cb6f47.003.js"></script> </body> </html>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10