Phul fort a picture of neglect

Phul fort a picture of neglect
Rajay Deep/TNS

Phul (Bathinda), June 22
The historical fort of Phul, which is said to be the origin of Phulkian states (Patiala, Jind, Nabha), has become no one’s baby. It was built by Baba Phul in 1712 but at that time, it was like a mud-fort. Later, emperors Hamir Singh, Bharpoor Singh and others showed interest and got it restructured. During the British rule, a lot of money was spent on the ornamentation of the fort.
Alas! With the passage of time, neither the kith and kin of the royals nor the state and Centre authorities bothered to preserve it. The fort, which could bring the region on the tourism map, is now crying for immediate attention with the entire structure crumbling and turning into the debris. A major portion of its structure has collapsed and the huge gates of the main entrance were closed about a couple of years ago.
However, finding the space as a source of income, the Market Committee, Phul, allowed some stalls (tea and vegetables) just outside the gate. A power transformer has also been installed there.
Inside the fort, the old Baradari of the emperors is now been used as the Block Development and Panchayat Office (BDPO). Further, officials of the Panchayat Samiti also have their office inside the historical building, modifying it according to their needs.
The old kitchen having a long queue of mud burners is now lying neglected. Most of the tombs have collapsed and the rest may fall anytime. Artistic wooden doors of rooms have been attacked by pests. Furthermore, due to the callous attitude of the authorities concerned, the sides of the fort have been encroached upon.
Elderly people of Phul town, who had seen the period when there was a lot of activity in the fort, feel delighted on recounting the days when the Deputy Commissioner, Naib Sahib and Tehsildar had their offices in the fort. They had also witnessed the glorious movement of the last ruler of the fort, Maharaja Partap Singh, who used to come and go in a huge cavalcade. These old persons, however, feel sad about the fact that the system brought the downfall of the fort.
“We have witnessed the fort when it used to shine from every corner. Pearls, diamonds, artistic wooden pieces, handicraft and mattresses were so beautiful and costly. Later, some wicked decamped with every precious thing and ruined it like anything,” said 77-year-old Ram Sarup, who runs a provision store just opposite the fort.
“Though the fort is located just a few miles from the ancestral village of former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, he did not bother to preserve it when he was in power, “rued some elderly people.
Ironically, neither the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) nor the state Tourism Department is willing to conserve the fort, even now.
While superintending archeologist of the ASI SN Kesarvani refused to comment over the crumbling structure of the fort, special secretary of the Tourism, Punjab, Hussan Lal said, “As of now, there is no proposal to revamp or preserve the Phul fort. We have details of all historic monuments of the state and if was required at anytime, the project could be cleared as the availability of funds is not a problem.”