Gobindgarh Fort Amritsar : India’s Most Glorious and Iconic Historical Spot

Amritsar, the religious seat of Sikhism is known for its iconic structures that shed light on the untrodden pages of Indian history. Whether it is Jallianwala Bagh or the glorious Golden Temple, every spot is known to be the witness of major historical events. One such iconic structure that offers a glimpse into the golden era of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first Sikh ruler is the Gobindgarh Fort. It has a lot of significance in Indian history, which is why it is also a renowned historical tourist spot in Amritsar. That being said, this following article will shed light on the fort’s history, architecture, and other details you should know before your visit.

The city of Amritsar was originally under the reign of a local clan known as Misls during the 18th century. In 1760, a local chieftain of the clan, Gujar Singh Bhangi, constructed the famous Bhagian da Qila. It was initially a mud fortress constructed to oversee the city and provide protection against the invaders. After nearly 49 years, the Misls lost their stronghold over the city, mainly due to constant battles with the Afghans.

It was during this time that Maharaja Ranjit Singh decided to invade the city and establish his reign by overthrowing Gujjar Singh in 1809. According to the historical tales, Ranjit Singh and the Bhangis confronted one another in a fierce battle where Ranjit Singh's fierce troops subdued the latter. Following this victory, he conquered the mud fortress of Bhaigan da Qila and renamed it after the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Govind Singh.

This is how the fortress got its name, Gobindgarh Fort, and became one of the critical military locations of Amritsar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh acquired it primarily to protect the entire city and Shri Harmandir Sahib, or the Golden Temple, against the attacks of Afghans from the northwestern frontier. Furthermore, its amicable location outside the walled city provided a perfect military lookout spot, allowing Ranjit Singh to establish an impenetrable and invincible protective barrier for Amritsar.

After the acquisition of the Gobindgarh Fort, Maharaja Ranjit Singh made several renovations and changes to its original architecture. His troops used the compound to constantly protect the city and defeat the invaders way before they could enter through the heavily armed city gates. However, in 1849, the British Army defeated Ranjit Singh’s troops and acquired the fortress during the Second Anglo-Sikh War.

From 1849 to 1947, the British Army was stationed at the fort for further military protection and to maintain their stronghold over Amritsar, as the city was a critical military location. When India gained its independence, the fort was garrisoned under the control of the Indian Army, and since then, it has been under the supervision of the government.

It is believed that the Gobindgarh Fort Amritsar witnessed the growth of the city and reached its zenith during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Finally, the Indian Government recognized its contribution to the country's glorious past. It declared this fortified precinct as a historical monument in 1964 under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remained Act.

The Gobindgarh Fort Amritsar Punjab has a humongous architecture, a truly remarkable sight to behold. The fort has a square-shaped foundation, with all four corners embellished with a parapet and featuring two doors. Inside the premises, there are four bastions stationed to display the unique Anglo-Sikh architectural style. Apart from this, the complex is known to have numerous gates that offer direct entry to the interior premises, including the Nalwa Gate, the main entrance, and the Keller Gate, which is positioned at the back. A deep moat encircles the entire fort, demonstrating its historical level of protection in the bygone era.. One of the most interesting facts about the fort’s architecture is the long tunnel that is believed to lead to Lahore in Pakistan. From the Colonial Bungalow to the Toshakhana, numerous structures inside the premises portray the glorious Sikh and British periods.

Gobindgarh Fort has now become a significant tourist spot in Amritsar, thanks to the numerous lively, high-tech, and engaging shows and performances organized every day. The most popular show organized here is the Whispering Walls, also known as the Light and Sound Show. It showcases the glorious history of the city along with the unrevealed facts of the Gobindgarh Fort itself. Another exciting show tourists love to watch here is the Sher e Punjab. Directed by a renowned international film director, Ketan Mehta, this immersive 7D live show depicts the lifetime of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and captivates the audience through entertaining scripts. With no restriction on Gobindgarh Fort laser show timings, you can also watch the VR shows that will take you through the history of this grand fortress since its time of inception. If you want to revel in the vibrancy of Amritsar’s culture, Spirit of Punjab is the best live show to watch at this fort.

With the Gobindgarh Fort timings known to you, exploring the numerous attractions within the premises will be fine now. Toshakhana is a prominent structure that you can include in your itinerary, as it is the place that once housed the famous Kohinoor diamond. However, at present, it showcases a precious collection of rare coins from old India. Another structure worth exploring is the Khas Mahal, also known as the Coffee House, where several architectural elements from the British and Sikh eras are put on display. If you want to discover the war artifacts used during the Sikh and colonial times, like the largest cannon known as Zamzama or Ranjit Singh's swords, visit the War Museum located inside the Anglo-Sikh colonial bungalow. Apart from these prominent structures, you can also explore the Pagdi Museum, Haat Bazaar, Sikh Art Museum, Darbar Hall, and the four bastions.

This Amritsar Fort is positioned centrally within the city, which is why there are numerous tourist spots surrounding the structure. Some of the key attractions that you can include in your itinerary are Jallianwala Bagh, Hall Bazaar, Golden Temple, Khalsa College, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Akal Takht, and the Durgiana Temple.

Gobindgarh Museum indeed is a glorious structure that showcases a significant portion of Amritsar's history, starting from the reign of the first Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and ending with India’s independence. Given its prominent location in the city, you should choose a proper accommodation so as to reduce your travel time and enjoy Amritsar’s local culture simultaneously. This is where Bloom Hotels in Amritsar comes into the play. Bloom Hotels not only offer a mesmerizing stay experience to all the guests with top-notch amenities but also their amicable locations will help you plan your day-to-day itinerary with ease.