The 19th century CE Ferozepur Fort with its distinctive hexagonal design and massive defensive features showcase the strategic ingenuity and defensive architectural features of the last Sikh rulers, according to the GOC Manral. The heritage and monument lovers will certainly welcome the move taken by the Indian Army at this juncture when India's relations with Pakistan have become very sensitive on account of cross border terrorism initiated by the other side. This move reaffirms the government's commitment to preserve national heritage sites that connect the present generation with the past era.
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| Historical Ferozepur Fort, Punjab |
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| Ferozepur Fort,Punjab,India oneindia.com |
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| . Ferozepur Fort,Punjab,India instagram.com |
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| Ferozepur Fort,Punjab,India in.pinterest.com |
Ferozepur fort will be a busy tourist site in the near considering its strategic location close to the Indo-Pakistan border. The credit goes to the Army's Golden Arrow Division who recently threw open the important fort to the public with a view to connecting the people and the region with the legacy of the past rulers, and their military ingenuity to defend the sensitive western border area. The fort consisted of more than 200 building, each carrying a number.
The fort is positively a symbol of sacrifices, valor and cultural identity of the region. There are ample opportunities to develop border tourism in this frontier area of Punjab. Additionally, the fort was a silent spectator to the countless historical events that took place in this region including the first war of independence in 1857 that shook the British empire. Once a part of the Sikh empires frontier defense network, the crucial outpost and the fort complex bore stories of committed enduring resistance, resilience and indomitable courage against invading army and foreign rule to save the honor and dignity of the Sikh regime both under the dishonest British company and later under the Crown Administration, London.
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| Duke of Wellington en.wikiquote.org |
Above image: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (May 1769 – September 1852) was a British soldier and statesman. Rising to prominence during the Peninsular War in Mysore and Cochin he became a national hero after his Napoleonic war exploits. He led the victorious Anglo-Allied forces at the Battle of Waterloo that saw the fall of mighty Napoleon Bonaparte...........
Historians say the fort was occupied by the British illegally through deceit and deception after the demise of Sardarni Lachhman Kaur in 1835 and later it was converted into British Garrison in 1839 under the direction of the Duke of Wellington who actively participated in the final Anglo-Mysore War that resulted in the death of Tipu Sultan in Srirangapatna, now in Karnataka state. Later, the British converted this fort as an arsenal (Weapon) Store in 1858 and subsequently, the dry gun cotton store. They later built the powder magazine and ammunition stores.
Taking inspiration from Nazi Germany, the British used this fort as a major depot for the supply of guns, ammunition, trained horses and bullocks. It is recorded that different kinds of ammunitions were produced within the confines of the fort, so there was surplus supply of ammunition to meet contingency. It is said roughly 10,000 bullocks and as many horses and even 150 camels were kept at any time in this fort. They were apparently meant to shift arsenal, etc from one place to another. The fort was used mainly to store arsenal till 1941. For tactical reasons storage of ammunition and arms was moved over to Kasubegu during the early period of WWII.
