LAHORE: To commemorate the 180th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, the Sikh ruler of Punjab, a life size statue of Maharaja on horseback was unveiled at Lahore Fort on Thursday, June 27.
The statue has been sponsored to the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) by Bobby Singh, president of SK Foundation based in the United Kingdom. The weight of the statue is 250-330 kilogram. Eighty-five per bronze, 5 pc tin, 5 pc lead and 5 pc zinc have been used in its making. It took eight months to complete the statue and is brought to Pakistan by the SK Foundation.
WCLA Conservation and Planning Director Najam Saquib said that the Sikh community from the United Kingdom had contacted WCLA for the statue and the case was presented before the Heritage Conservation Board which approved it.
“The concept of a statue of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh on horseback was conceived by historian Bobby Singh Bansal, President of SK Foundation, UK and Raj Kapany of Sikh Foundation, US, to promote the history of Punjab, especially the Sikh culture, heritage and tourism in Pakistan.
The statue made by artists in cold bronze will stand 7 feet high. It is a gift to the people of Pakistan by Bobby Singh Bansal to forge a unity of lasting friendship between the rich history of Punjab and to commemorate the Maharaja’s 180th death anniversary by its people – Punjabis and Sikhs of Punjab, Najam said.
WCLA Marketing Director Asif Zaheer said that the unveiling ceremony has left a lasting impression on the local people unaware of the rich heritage that exists in Punjab. The numerous officials and dignitaries to attend the ceremony at Lahore. The statue is placed near the Haveli of Maharani Jindan.
