Turning back the pages of history
In the 18th century, the Punjab region was divided among various clans called Misls. One notable chieftain, Gujjar Singh Bhangi of the Bhangi misl, built the 'Bhangian da Qila' mud fortress in the 1760s. Financial woes plagued the Bhangis, led by Gurdit S. Bhangi and his mother, Mai Sukhan.
Mai Sukhan demanded tribute from a trader named Arur Mal, who sought refuge with the rival Kanhaiya misl. Sensing opportunity, Maharaja Ranjit Singh allied with Arur Mal and Shaikh Kamaluddin, a prominent citizen, to seize control of the fortress and its territories.
Ranjit Singh claimed the Zamzama Cannon, Bhangian di Tope, as his share from a past war. When Mai Sukhan refused, Ranjit Singh stormed the fortress through the Ahluwalia gate, overwhelming the Bhangis.
After capturing the fortress, Ranjit Singh renamed it ‘Gobindgarh’ in honor of Guru Shri Gobind Singh Ji. This conquest marked a turning point, cementing Ranjit Singh's regional power and influence.
Interesting origins
The primary motivation behind the fortification of Gobindgarh was likely to safeguard the city of Amritsar and its revered shrine, Shri Harmandir Sahib, commonly known as the Golden Temple, against potential invaders. As a vulnerable, bean-shaped city, Amritsar faced constant threats from Afghan forces advancing from the North-West frontier. Unlike other forts positioned within the heart of historic towns, the strategic placement of this fort outside the walled city served as an impregnable bulwark, shielding the pilgrimage centre from attacks.
Between 1805 and 1809, substantial efforts were undertaken to reinforce, expand, and reconstruct the fort under the stewardship of Fakir Azizuddin, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's second governor and foreign minister. Considerable financial resources were allocated to transform the fort into a formidable defensive stronghold, aided by the expertise of French generals who had aligned with Maharaja Ranjit Singh.