Mahan Singh Samadhi

This Samadhi(tomb)marks the cremation site of Mahan Singh (r. 1770-92), the father of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who founded the Sikh Empire. During his life, Mahan Singh served as ruler of the Sukerchakia Misl, one of 12 such Misl in the Punjab region. Each of the Misls was an independent sovereign entity within the Sikh Confederacy that predated Ranjit Singhs unification. Under his rule, Mahan Singh captured the sprawling Rohtas Fort from the forces of Ahmad Shah Durrani, the founder of the Durrani empire, and later allied with Jassa Singh Ramgarhia (leader of the Ramgarhia Misl) to overcome the Kanheya Misl at the Battle of Batala. He died in April 1790 of dysentery during the siege of Sodhra, about 32 kilometers north of Gujranwala, in a battle against the Bhangi Misl. Mahan Singhs tomb is an octagonal building comprising a wide ground-level series of chambers topped by a two-storey tower, surmounted by a bulbous, fluted dome. The tower and dome constitute a single tall chamber when viewed from the interior and were originally covered in murals painted over a white plastered surface. The exterior of the tower and the base includes architectural elements derived from (or identical to) Mughal architectural motifs, including the use of gridded facades, scalloped arches, triple-bay entrances, projecting eaves, and an overall symmetrical design. According to Kapur, the site was established in 1835 when Ranjit Singh examined designs for a Samadhi submitted by Hari Singh Nalwa (the Nazim of Gujranwala), and funded their construction. An early description of the tomb is found in an 1883 volume called Handbook of the Punjab; written by John Murray of London. At about half km beyond the station is the Samadh of Maha Singh, father of the great Ranjit. It is a very handsome structure, 25 m high to the top of the gilt ornament on the summit. It is an octagon, each side of which measures 7.6 m. 13 steps lead up to the vestibule. The inner room, where are the knobs which mark the places where the ashes of Mahan Singh are deposited, is 8.2 m, 5 cm broad. The breadth of the whole building is 18.2 m. At present, the Samadhi is ill-maintained and is marred by a number of holes tunneled through the walls of the tower. Graffiti and rainwater infiltration have almost wholly ruined the interior murals, with only fragments still legible. The ground floor level is difficult to access as it stands adjacent to newer dwellings, with a number of openings crudely bricked-up. Inside, trash and debris clog most of the available space.