Fading Grandeur: The Decline of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Summer residence in Rasul Nagar

Maharaja Ranjit Singh the ruler of the Punjab, held sway over the Sikh Empire from 1801 until his demise in 1839. Despite commanding a vast empire for nearly four decades, he harbored a special fondness for his birthplace Gujranwala. Gujranwala served as the capital of the Sukerchakia Misl that was ruled by Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s forefathers and predecessors.

Born in Gujranwala city, Ranjit Singh erected a samadhi (tomb) for his father Mahan Singh in Sheranwala bagh in Gujranwala . However, his attachment to the region extended beyond familial ties. Seeking respite from the bustling imperial capital in Lahore, he constructed a summer residence on the east bank of the Chenab river at Rasulnagar (Ramnagar). This serene abode stood in a region of Gujranwala that may have evoked memories from Ranjit’s childhood.

Even then, this area was relatively isolated, situated a few kilometers northeast of the nearby town of Rasul Nagar (Ramnagar) and approximately 50 kilometers North West of Gujranwala city. The Summer residence (Baradari) itself boasted high-quality masonry and plaster, adorned with teak doors and windows. Its sturdy rafters, also crafted from teak, supported the roof.

The central feature of the Baradari was a tall double-height atrium, flanked by several small rooms and two spacious verandahs. The overall architectural design bore resemblance to a more rustic version of the Hazuri Bagh Baradari.

Regrettably, over time, the house faced significant challenges. As recently as 2004, it stood “in perfect fettle,” according to Salman Rashid. However, subsequent visits revealed a grim fate. Thieves had thoroughly looted the valuable teak components—doors, windows, and rafters—leaving the house a mere shell. Between 2011 and 2018, its outer walls either collapsed, were vandalized, or demolished, leaving only the bare bones of the atrium as the sole surviving ruin, apart from a small fragment of the outer wall.

Given the unfortunate circumstances, it appears highly unlikely that the stolen fixtures will ever resurface. Moreover, the house itself has suffered significant collapse, leaving only the remnants of the atrium. Regrettably, this once-prominent space is now on the brink of fading into oblivion, depriving the Gujranwala area of a potentially valuable tourist attraction and a source of local pride.

Adjacent to the summer residence lies a meticulously maintained cluster of graves. These final resting places belongs to British officers and enlisted men who met their fate in battle against the waning Sikh Empire during Battle of Ramnagar in 1848. Three unknown Samadhs can also be also be seen on the other side of Summer residence of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in side the bank of river Chenab.

The juxtaposition of these historical elements—ruin and memorial—creates a poignant narrative within the landscape The decline of this once-majestic summer residence is indeed a poignant chapter in its history.