Dynasty within dynasty: Footprints of Sikhs on Mughal era.

ISLAMABAD -- Right in the middle of grand Royal Fort of Lahore, the Haveli of Kharak Singh is located on the southeast corner of Jahangir's Quadrangle - a symbol of Mughal era built by Jahangir and his father Akbar.

Later during the Sikh rule, structures were added in most of the places inside the Fort and so one was added in this quadrangle. This structure was of the Haveli of Kharak Singh who used it as his living chamber.

However, the use of this Haveli was changed during the British Raj. They turned the embellished Haveli into the 'Commander's Quarters' while the ground floor was used as a godown and servant house.

Presently, the first floor of the Haveli is used by the Archeology Department for Archeological Survey Office and the ground floor has the Archeology's Library which is a remarkable house of antique books.

The library is worth visiting as it is open for all and one can surf through the ages old books there. The whole southern periphery of the quad has been lined with suites similar to the porticoes lining the eastern and western edges of the quad.

Today, the surviving red-stone sehdara (a building with three entrances) alone provides the clue to the ancient lineage of the structure. The structure of the Haveli is intact but it still needs attention for restoration and conservation.

There are several rooms inside the Haveli and one can see the old fresco work on the walls and ceilings. The interior structure is a typical Sikh style of architecture with arches in it. Few rooms are closed and others have staff sitting in them.

Kharak Singh at young age, 06, got into the military of his father who was given the minor command of the Sheikhupura expedition (1807). He was placed as In-charge of the Kanhaiya estates in 1811; and deputed in 1812 to punish the recalcitrant chiefs of Bhimbar and Rajauri.

In 1818, together with Misr Diwan Chand, he commanded an expedition against the Afghan ruler of Multan Nawab Muzaffar Khan, achieving a decisive victory at the Battle of Multan. He was also sent on similar campaigns undertaken by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh for the conquest of Peshawar and against the Mazaris of Shikarpur. Three months before his death, Ranjit Singh awarded Kashmir to Kharak Singh, which...