Ali Usman Baig : britishera

Kot Ramdas, the Ruin of Gurdwara & Grave of Muslim Saint in Sikh Smadi

Visited the place: 02-07-2017

(All pictures are owned, kindly respect copyrights)

Kot Ramdas is a small village, which is situated some three miles South of Nandipur.

Outside of this village, in green fields, a two-story, square, British-era building is standing. At first glance, the building does not give you any impression that this was an old Gurdwara. Locals told before the 1947 Partition, KOT Ramdas was a Sikh populated Village. After, Pakistan came into being; no Sikh family left in Kot Ramdas as they migrated to India. From then, it was converted and used as a girl’s school. A few years back the top roof which was resting on wooden beams has been collapsed and also it created cracks on walls. The building is in no use now and in extremely critical condition and can be fallen down at any time.

Nobody knows the exact history and year of construction of this Gurdwara. However, the building structural member’s configuration and construction material usage give a rough idea that it must have been constructed in the early years of the Nineteenth Century.

The most interesting element of fascination in the front elevation is the multifold arch entrance. Also, the arrangement of square windows and closed brick masonry arches in the front elevation wall was magnificently designed.

In front of Gurdwara, we found the remnant of a brick masonry wall, which was used as a Sarovar in past. Sarovar/sacred pools are considered to have curative properties because of the continual prayers of Sikh scripture recited in the vicinity.

On the backside, of this Gurdwara three well-constructed Smadi’s are present. Unfortunately, the inner walls which once painted with fresco artwork are whitewashed. However, the outer walls' paintwork is still in original colors up to some extent. On top of Smadi’s roof domes are present with equal partitioned lining and artwork.

Well, constructed Smadi’s is a sign that Sikhs living in KOT Ramdas village before the 1947 partition must be wealthy and rich. There is also a fourth Smadi’s which is located at some distance from Gurdwara.

In one Smadi, you will find a grave, which is told to be of a Muslim Saint. This Smadi was tried to be converted into a Tomb. However, Locals told that it was an illegal failed attempt to occupy the Gurdwara’s land.

In past, there was also a well in the vicinity, which was filled with time.

One more interesting thing is the carved painting of a peacock on the backside boundary wall.

There is no research and writing specifically done on this Gurdwara. My purpose in visiting this place was to document this place before it got vanished from my eyes forever.

One last thing, which hurts me after visiting this place, was that this building was used as a school for more than five decades. When I visit this place, there were children playing in the vicinity of this gurdwara, most of them telling proudly their parents got an education in this building in past. Now the building taking its last breath, this building was their first institute of schooling, which is now turned into ruins.

Everybody has childhood memories, specifically associated with their schools. I don’t know how the old alumnus of this school feels, as their childhood memories turned into ruins and debris.

I wished they at least have taken some steps to preserve their school if not doing this for a Gurdwara building.