Ina bid to preserve the glorious heritage of state, the Punjab Cabinet on Mondaygave approval for acquisition, conservation and use of Mubarik Manzil Palace,Malerkotla in district Sangrur.
Tofacilitate the acquisition of the Mubarik Manzil Palace, the state governmentwill provide Rs.3 crore to Begum Munawwar-ul-Nisa, the owner of the saidproperty as consideration to her for transferring property with all its rightsto the state government.
Adecision to this effect was taken during Cabinet meeting chaired by PunjabChief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here through videoconferencing.
TheChief Minister said that this decision would be instrumental in preserving therich legacy of the state and to reconnect younger generations with our gloriouspast.
Itmay be recalled that Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan of Malerkotla had vehementlyraised his voice in favour of younger Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jiagainst the Subedar of Sirhind and thus has a treasured and honoured place inhistory of Punjab. Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan openly opposed the execution ofDasmesh Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s younger Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar SinghJi and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, aged about 9 years and 7 years. On learning of thiscourageous action on the part of Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan, Dasmesh Pita SriGuru Gobind Singh Ji gave his blessings and protection to the State ofMalerkotla. As a mark of recognition Guru Ji also sent a sword ‘Sri Sahib’ toNawab Sher Mohamad Khan.
Notably,Begum Munawwar-ul-Nisa, has written to the state government that Mubarik ManzilPalace, Malerkotla of which she is the sole owner, and has absolute rights toalienate the property to any person including State or Tourism & CulturalAffairs department. Being true owner of the property, she also mentioned thatthe Palace is a valuable heritage property, more than 150 years spreading overan area of 32,400 sq. ft., requires to be properly conserved for future as anintegral part of history of erstwhile Malerkotla State & Punjab. For thispurpose, she desired to hand over the Palace to State for acquisition,conservation and use as per her wish and with certain conditions.
Accordingto a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, the expected financialliability as on today involved in purchase of this proposed protected monumentand likely financial implications arising out of existing court cases is aroundRs.5 crore. The rate of the land has been got evaluated from DeputyCommissioner, Sangrur and the evaluation of the property has also been got doneby the Tourism & Cultural Affairs department through its ConservationArchitect and Chief General Manager-cum-Chief Engineer.