Pindi’s Bedi Mahal on the verge of collapse
The ancient building has been closed due to a fear of collapse. PHOTOs: EXPRESS
The ancient yet prestigious building of Bedi Mahal situated in Kallar Syedan Tehsil of Rawalpindi is on the verge of collapse.
Due to the lack of proper maintenance of the architectural masterpiece, the roofs of several cells have collapsed.
The roofs of the ancient building covering seven canals have been damaged by termites and rainwater. The ancient but very beautiful building is kept closed due to the fear of collapse.
Tourists and locals are also afraid to enter Bedi Mahal. Historians say that the Bedi Mahal in Kallar Syedan was built by Khem Singh Bedi, one of the founders of the Singh Sabha movement, in the late 19th century.
Singh worked as a preacher of Sikhism. Due to his good manners, he held a place of honour and respect in the Hindu and Muslim communities. He held a unique position in the subcontinent owing to his educational and financial background.
Built 200 years ago, the Bedi Mahal is a three-storied building. Hot and cold water channels were built under the main structure of the building to keep the palace warm in winter and cool in summer.
Bedi Mahal also has several tunnels which have been filled with mud over time. It also has a basement. The main entrance of the palace is huge in length and width, made of cedar, cypress wood and iron.
In its courtyard, arches have been built on all four sides on which beautiful carvings are still present. High-quality portraits of Baba Guru Nanak and other Sikh leaders can still be seen on the central pillars of the arches.
Stairs lead to the upper floor from the four corners of the courtyard. Bedi Mahal, also known as Babay Da Mehal, has a total of 40 small and large rooms including a guest house.
Paintings made of gold water still exist in the guest room of the Bedi Mahal. There are also various carvings in the rooms of Khem Singh's wife and other women. The walls of the main guest room were constructed of glass.
Taj Muhammad, a resident of Kallar Syedan, told The Express Tribune that after the partition of India, the primary school of Kallar Syedan was established in Bedi Mahal, but due to lack of proper maintenance of the palace, there was a fear of its collapse, owing to which about 15 years ago, the government shifted the school to another building.
The walls of the palace are three feet wide which are still very firmly in place but the roofs of the palace, which are made of cedar and cypress wood, are in a very bad condition due to termite infestation. Now there is a fear of the sudden collapse of this building.
He said that now the situation of Bedi Mahal is that even the children playing on the ground around it do not come near the building.
The local representatives and the district administration made several promises to save this building, but no practical steps have been taken to date, he said. The people of the area demand the district administration, Auqaf department and the Punjab government to take immediate steps to protect this historical heritage so that the original glory of this building can be preserved for future generations.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2023.