SLICE OF HISTORY: TRACING THE
FOOTPRINTS OF TRAVELLERS
Jalandhar TRIBUNE
The 2,600-km-long Sadak-e-Azam
passed through Serai Amanat Khan
and Serai Noordin (Nurdi) in Tarn Taran.
FORECAST MAINLY CLOUDY SKY
INBRIEF
2 ROBBERS HELD,
VALUABLES SEIZED
Hoshiarpur: The police have
arrested two persons for
snatching Rs 2.20 lakh in cash
and gold-silver jewellery. During
a press conference, SSP
Amneet Kondal said a special
drive has been initiated in the
district under the supervision of
Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu, SP
(Investigation), Hoshiarpur.
They arrested two robbers on
August 25 and recovered gold-
silver jewellery, mobile phones
and a bike used in snatching
incidents from them. The SSP
said on August 10, a teacher
Navneet Kaur was returning
home from Dashmesh Public
School, Mukerian. At about
3:30pm she was going to Jeeya
Natha village. When she
reached near Ram Lal of
Kudda’s motor, two unknown
bike-borne persons snatched
her gold chain, gold earrings,
gold ring, mobile phone and
handbag containing Rs
2,20,000 and sped away. An
FIR was registered at the Tanda
police station in this regard. OC
28-YEAR-OLD MAN
FOUND DEAD
Jalandhar: A youth was found
dead under suspicious
circumstances at Lamba Pind
Chowk. An injection along with
intoxicants was also found near
the body of the deceased. The
police took the body in their
possession and sent it for post-
mortem. The deceased had
injury marks around his neck as
well. The deceased has been
identified as Hussain (28).
Inspector Kamaljit Singh, SHO,
Ramamandi police station, said
a case under Section 174 of the
IPC has been registered. TNS
FIVE BOOKED FOR
BANK FRAUD
Hoshiarpur: The Mukerian
police have booked five persons
for fraudulently withdrawing
~4,44,985 from the bank
account. According to
information, Sukhjinder Singh,
a resident of Hardokhundpur
village, had lodged a complaint
with the police. He told that
unidentified servants had
withdrawn the said amount
from his bank account. The
Jalandhar crime branch police
had filed an FIR against
Mahibur Rehman, Sahib
Kumar, Abhishek Kumar and
Ashok Kumar. OC
ATTACK ON ASI: NO
CLUE OF CULPRITS
Garhshankar: The Mahilpur
police have booked unidentified
persons in a case wherein an ASI
of traffic police was attacked and
one of his legs was amputated.
Makhan Singh, a resident of
Aiman Jattan village, had spotted
the ASI, identified as Amrik Singh,
lying critically injured on the
tracks of the Bist Doab canal and
informed the village sarpanch
about it. He was taken to the Civil
Hospital, Garhshankar, for
treatment from where he was
referred to the PGI, Chandigarh,
in critical condition. The police
have started a probe. OC
TWO ARRESTED WITH
LIQUOR, INTOXICANTS
Hoshiarpur: The district police
have arrested two smugglers
and recovered huge quantity of
narcotics from them. According
to information, the Garhdiwala
police station have arrested
Ranjha, a resident of Chohka
village and recovered 44 gram
of intoxicating powder from him.
Meanwhile. the police of
Bullowal have arrested Kotla
Nodh Singh village resident
Kewal Ram, and recovered 11
bottles of liquor from him. OC
PAGE 2
MAX 36°C | MIN 28°C | YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 27°C
No end to city residents’ ordeal on roads
Satkar committee members block NH-1 near Dakoha over Gurdas Maan’s remarks passes away
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 26
There seems to be no end to
commuters’ woes in the city.
It was for the seventh consec-
utive day today that city resi-
dents faced a major road jam.
Members of various Sikh
organisations gathered on
NH-1 near Dakoha, near the
same site where the farmers
had held a sit-in for five days
demanding an increase in
sugarcane prices. For nearly
two hours (between 3 pm
and 5 pm), they blocked the
road leading to traffic jam
without any prior announce-
ment. They were demand-
ing the registration of a case
against Punjabi singer Gur-
das Maan over his recent
viral video in which he was
heard saying that Sain Lad-
di Shah of Nakodar dera was
from the descendants of
third Sikh master Guru
Amar Dass.
Though an FIR was finally
registered to calm the pro-
testers, residents condemned
the role of the police in allow-
ing everyone to block the
highway anytime, anywhere.
Rat found roaming on Minor’s rape: Police 5 fresh cases, no death in dist
Haveli’s food counter yet to trace accused
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 26
In a shocking incident, a rat
was found roaming on a food
counter at Haveli theme
restaurant near Phagwara
early this morning. A video of
the rat running around on the
shelves, which had pastries,
sandwiches, muffins, burgers,
etc, was posted by some visi-
tors there. They pointed out
that already people were suf-
fering from Covid-19 and any
such carelessness could lead
to spread of more infections.
Making the video, the visi-
tors apprised the manage-
ment of the carelessness of
staff. The authorities finally
destroyed all the food items
kept in the counter and got it
properly fumigated.
A manager of Haveli con-
firmed that the incident
occurred this morning. He
said since the counter was
City’s Nikku Park gets new look
with mesmerising wall portraits
Tribune News service
Jalandhar, August 26
With the completion of another
round of beautification and
renovation works, children’s
favourite amusement destina-
tion Nikku Park has worn a
new look with mesmerising
portraits painted on its walls.
Likewise, the park is all set to
offer much-awaited break
dance swing and cricket bowl-
ing game to visitors from
upcoming Sunday as the dis-
trict administration has accom-
plished both the projects.
Divulging the details,
Deputy Commissioner Ghan-
shyam Thori said theme-based
paintings have been carried
out in the park, which would
further become attraction
point for the children. He stat-
ed that break dance ride was
lying shut due to lack of main-
SOHA ALI KHAN & KUNAL KEMMU
PEN CHILDREN’S BOOK SERIES
Penguin Random House India is set
to publish a series of three picture
books from actor duo and partners.
The NH-1 connecting Jalandhar and Delhi was blocked again on Thursday after members of Sikh organisations gathered on the highway demanding an FIR against Gurdas Maan.
The city residents were angry
as they had seen a nearly 24-
hour barricading of important
city intersections due to the
dharna by farmers around Cir-
cuit House, which was started at
10 am on Wednesday and ended
after 9.30 am this morning after
the BJP leaders left the venue.
Commuters were a harassed
lot as they got stuck in a jam
caused by the dharna. Such
was the situation that com-
muters could neither move for-
ward nor reverse their vehicles.
There was no space left for any
A video of the rat running
around on the shelves,
which had pastries,
sandwiches, muffins,
burgers, etc, was posted
by some visitors there
lying outside, a rat perhaps
entered it when someone
opened its shutter. “But it
surely was a big negligence on
the part of the staff. On our
part, we have taken all the
safety measures after the mat-
ter came to our knowledge.
We have reprimanded the
staff and told them to be very
alert about hygiene and safety
of the food in future,” he said.
Nikku Park has got a new look with wall portraits in Jalandhar.
tenance while cricket bowling
machine was newly set up in
the park adding that both the
new rides would be opened for
visitors from Sunday.
Notably, the district admin-
istration had initiated a spe-
SUNSET FRIDAY 6:57 PM
124-year-old
Basant Kaur
SINGER BOOKED BY NAKODAR POLICE
The Nakodar Police have registered a case against Gurdas Maan under
Section 295-A of the IPC for hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh
community. Nakodar City Police Station SHO said following the directions
of the SSP, an FIR was registered against the singer on Thursday evening
vehicle to take a U-turn to get
out of this difficult situation.
Many commuters had no
alternative, but to wait for the
protesters to lift their dharna
and let them move. Vehicular
movement on all roads,
including the Jalandhar-
Hoshiarpur highway and the
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 26
The police have failed to
arrest so far the rape accused
who had allegedly physically
assaulted the 16-year-old
daughter of his friend six
days ago here.
The incident took place at a
village near the Jandiala
police chowki on August 21.
The victim was reportedly
alone in her house when the
incident took place.
ASI Surinder Pal Singh, in-
charge, said the accused, iden-
tified a Kulwinder Singh (42),
alias Kaka, a resident of Tha-
balke village entered the
house of the victim when her
family members had gone
out. Before raping the minor,
the accused thrashed her bru-
tally. After committing the
crime, he fled from the spot. A
student of Class XI, the victim
narrated her ordeal to her
cial drive to give Nikku Park
a new look as a part of its
measure to boost the enter-
tainment activities at the
city’s one of the prominent
amusement parks.
Spread in 4.5 acres of land,
PAGE 3 SHOTGUN TALKS ABOUT HIS 1ST
ENCOUNTER WITH DHARMENDRA
PAGE 4
The upcoming weekend episode of
The Kapil Sharma Show will extend a
welcome to evergreen veteran actors.
SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:00 AM FRIDAY | 27 AUGUST 2021 | JALANDHAR
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 26
Basant Kaur (pic), the oldest
women in the district,
breathed her
last on Tues-
day night.
She was 124.
A resident
of Sabuwal
village near
Lohian, she
had seen three centuries
happily. Nearly a month ago,
her family members had
sought world record on her
name as the oldest woman in
the world.
FIR against Maan. Maan had highway at Dakoha, which Five of her nine children,
already apologised on a video falls near Rama Mandi, Bal- her husband and brothers
saying that he did not intend bir Singh Muchhal, head of and sisters have already died.
to hurt religious feelings of the Guru Granth Sahib Apart from her children, she
the Sikh community that he Satkar Committee, Tejinder is survived by 12 grandsons
did not compare Sain Laddi Singh Pardesi and Harpreet and 13 granddaughters, five
Shah with the guru and only Singh, heads of the Sikh great-grandsons and three
Jalandhar-Phagwara high- meant to say that both were Coordination Committee, great-granddaughters. She
way, was severely hit. Bhallas. But the Sikh bodies said there was a deliberate had lost her eyesight, quite a
The agitators, including were adamant on seeking delay in registering the FIR few years ago.
members of the Satkar Com- police action against Maan. against the singer. Balbir Her family members
mittee and various Nihang They held a dharna outside said the religious sentiments claimed that Kaur had never
organisations, were demand- the SSP office even after the of Sikh sangat in the country been to a doctor. Although
ing that they would not lift apology and continued to and abroad had been hurt the family members claim
their dharna till they would seek registration of an FIR. due to the remarks made her age to be 132 years, her
be provided with a copy of the During the protest on the about the guru. official age was 124 years.
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 26
One dies in Kapurthala
As many as four persons
were tested positive for Covid
district tally increased to
30,709. The district did not
report any new Covid death
A total of five new Covid cases from Kapurthala on Thurs- today. The number of active
were reported on Thursday day, taking the tally to 17,799. cases in the district are 15.
from the district, taking the dis- One death from Covid was
trict tally to 63,214 cases. No also reported. The deceased No case in Nawanshahr
Covid death was reported today. was a 60-year-old woman No case was reported from
The deceased tally remained at from Phagwara. Nawanshahr on Thursday.
1,491. As many as 61,687 people The tally of infected patients
have recovered from Covid in 4 +ve cases in Hoshiarpur stood at 11,443. The death toll
the district while the number of With four fresh Covid cases is 380. There are seven active
active cases are 36. reported on Thursday, the cases at present.
The incident took place at
a village near the Jandiala
police chowki on August 21
family and the police. The vic-
tim’s father told the police
that the accused used to visit
the house on occasions. He
had been keeping a bad eye
on the girl, the family mem-
bers added.
After verifying the footage
of CCTVs of the entire village,
the police could not trace the
accused. A case under the
POCSO Act has been regis-
tered against Kulwinder at
the Sadar police station.
Nikku Park is located at the
heart of the city and was in
dilapidated conditions due to
lack of maintenance as it
remained shut due to Covid
pandemic for almost a year.
The DC had issued financial
assistance worth Rs 12 lakh
for this park after taking stock
of its condition a few months
ago. The DC reiterated his
commitment to restoring the
glory of this park and said
there would be no paucity of
funds to further ensure devel-
opment works in the park.
Nikku Park manager SS Sid-
hu said all main swings and
rides in the park that include
amusement bus, fountain, train,
music fountains, flood lights,
and many more have been
made operational lately. Now,
the break dance swing and
cricket bowling facility was also
ready for children, he added.
IN PICS JALANDHAR TRIBUNE
JALANDHAR | FRIDAY | 27 AUGUST 2021
02

Slice of history
Tracing the footprints
of travellers, Tribune
correspondent
Manmeet Singh Gill
&lensmanVishalKumar
travelled on the DELHI DARWAZA (SERAI AMANAT KHAN): The two-storeyed arched
gateway facing east has been recently reconstructed by the

Sadak-e-Azam, Archaeological Survey of India. The specimens of calligraphy designed

by Amanat Khan can be seen on the front side.

originally built by Sher

Shah Suri and later
rechristened as
Badshahi Sadak by
the Mughals. The
remnants of the
past, though in a
shambles, can still be
seen alongside the
stretch from Serai KOS MINAR: A completely restored and
preserved Kos Minar can be seen half a

Amanat Khan to kilometre on the east of Serai Amanat Khan.

Another one, which has not yet vanished, can

Serai Noordin. be seen west of Serai Noordin.

T
HE roughly 2,600-km
long Kabul to Kolkata
Sadak-e-Azam built
by Sher Shah Suri
passed through towns
as Serai Amanat Khan (collo-
quially Saran) in Amritsar
and Serai Noordin (Nurdi) in
Tarn Taran district.
During Sher Shah Suri’s
brief stint at power after MURALS (INSIDE MASJID): A view of the murals which have now
defeating Humayun in 1540, faded inside the renovated masjid in the Serai Amanat Khan.
the Mughals strengthened
the road, which was finally
completed during Akbar’s
reign. The remnants of the
Kos Minars and serais still
exist on the stretch, which is
presently known as Attari-
Tarn Taran Road.
The serais (rest houses)
were built during the Mughal MUGHAL DARWAZAS: The old wooden gate for the quarters of the officials at the Serai Amanat CALLIGRAPHY: A specimen of Shirazi’s calligraphy inside the masjid.
period on a distance of rough- Khan. A similar design had been used for all gates but only a few have survived to date.
ly 18-20 kilometres and
served the purpose of night
shelters for traders and offi-
WATCH TOWER: A view of the watch tower over cials of the darbar. A Kos
the Delhi Darwaza, the only accessible darwaza. Minar (mile stone) was built
at roughly 1.8 kilometres
each and helped travellers as
markers of distance.
These minars were also
central to the efficient post-
delivery system developed
by Sher Shah as each one
had a rider ready with a
horse for relay of horses to
deliver post. While most of
these Kos Minars have with-
ered, a few have survived
the onslaught of time.
Of the two serais, Serai
Amanat Khan has been DEODHI OF SERAI NOORDIN: The serai was
under renovation by the built on the initiative of a senior revenue official
Archaeological Survey of in the Mughal court, Nawab Amirudin, in 1654.
India for decades now. Of It was used by government officials and traders
the Serai Noordin, only a of the time. Amirudin named the serai after his
AMANAT KHAN’S TOMB: To the west of the serai dilapildated gateway and a STANDING THE TEST OF TIME: The facade of the surviving wooden balcony of the Serai Amanat father Noordin. Apart from the tomb, it is the
is the double-storeyed tomb built by Amanat tomb are remaining. Khan. However, its design and style seems to have been built in the British period or even later. only existing structure of the serai.
Khan. He is believed to have been buried here.

LAHORE DARWAZA: Facing west towards Lahore, the reconstruction

work on it by the Archaeological Survey of India is still going on.

NOORDIN’S TOMB: The octagonal tomb of Noordin can be seen on west of the serai. The murals inside walls and on
the roof have already been washed. The two-storeyed building is in a shambles.

STABLES: A portion of the IN RUINS: While the

stables for the horses has Archaeological Survey of
also been reconstructed. India has managed
restructuring the two-
storeyed gateways with
arched entrances,
portions of cells for
travellers, the masjid, the
central verge connecting
two entrances and a few
other areas, most of the
building is still in ruins.