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Punjab

Monumental mirage waiting for approach road

ASHOK KAURA | January 22, 2021 04:48 PM

NAKODAR: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had completed conservation and restoration work at Dakhni Sarai, a famous 17 the century Mughal structure. Situated on old G.T.Road connecting Agra with Lahore, Dakhni Sarai is among 30 listed monuments and archaeological sites of national importance in the state of Punjab.

ASI employee Jasbir Singh said two parking platforms have been constructed in front of the Lahori Gate of the monument for tourists to park their vehicles adding that parapet wall on left side has been reconstructed.

Dakhni Sarai is one of finest and best-preserved specimen of Mugal caravan Sarai’s built along the old highway. It stands in the village Dakhni on the Nakodar- Kapurthala road about 12 km from Nakodar. The Sarai was built by the well-known Mughal noble Ali Mardan during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1640 AD. It comprises of 124 cells around a closed quadrangle with two imposing gateways in the centre of the eastern and western quadrangle, inside the quadrangle are a mosque and a wall.

But area residents point out the conservation and restoration is not the only issue. They said; look at the approach road, Tourists and locals both have difficulties in approaching the Sarai. The Punjab Government has failed to construct an approach road despite repeated reminders by area residents. Though the government has constructed a road from Mallian Khurd village following residents approached the Prime Minister Narindar Modi but direct approach road from Nakodar-Kapurthala road is still pending.

Social activist and resident of Tut Kalan village Harbans Singh said that this Sarai is of national importance and we are proud of it. He says, “The Punjab government should construct an approach road to Sarai as tourists are facing difficulties to reach this monument.”

Nakodar nagar council ex- president Aditya Bhatara says “This Sarai is the glory of our area. The ASI has done its bid to maintain its original structure. Now the Punjab Government should construct an approach road at the earliest so that the Sarai could be developed into a tourist spot.”

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