[EN] From Marvel to Ruins: Study of Sikh Buildings in Rawalakot, Poonch

Abstract

This paper aims to document and investigate the remnants of Sikh Samadhis in Rawalakot, Poonch, located in Pakistan administered Jammu and Kashmir. This paper will focus on two significant sites, namely, the Gulshan-e-Shauda Gurdwara and the Gurdwara Sahib Draid.  Contemporary archaeological surveys in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir classify these structures as Gurdwaras, but the researcher contends that their architectural characteristics and intended use merit reclassification as Samadhis. It will explore the cultural myths and stories associated with these buildings, as these narratives often provide a deeper understanding of tangible heritage and help unravel the mysteries of time. Furthermore, this study will document the construction style, layout, and overall structure of these Samadhis. It is important to note that a significant portion of the Sikh population was compelled to abandon their homes and religious sites in the areas of present-day Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir during the violence in 1947. Consequently, they migrated to Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, leaving behind these religious sites. This paper will illustrate the connections established by the Sikh community with these sites from the other side of the Line of Control (LOC). The data were collected through primary and secondary methods. They included archive reviews, old texts, interviews, focus groups, and site visits.