On June 27, a life-size statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, one of the greatest Sikh rulers, was unveiled in Lahore in Pakistan. The 8-ft-high & 6-ft-long structure was unveiled at Lahore Fort on his 180th death anniversary which was attended by over 500 Indians. The sculpture created by Lahore’s Fakir Khana museum in collaboration with UK’s Sarkar Khalsa Foundation.
Who is Maharaja Ranjit Singh?
Called the ‘Lion of Punjab’, Ranjit Singh created a unified Sikh empire and ruled Punjab for nearly four decades (1801-1839). It is said he had the most powerful army in Asia in which he employed several European officers. He was the first ruler in India
to stop the invasion of Afghans. Even though he’s recognised as a Sikh icon across the globe, Ranjit Singh is also remembered for his secular credentials as both Hindus & Muslims were given important positions in his darbar
Why is his statue important?
Maharaja’s statue at Lahore Fort is the first such structure in Pakistan. It was built in an initiative to promote Sikh religious tourism in Pakistan in the backdrop of the proposed Kartarpur corridor Indo-Pak Project.
