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CHAPPAR CHIRI (SAS NAGAR), kulbir kalsi: Nation today saluted Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the first Sikh warrior, having distinction of establishing Sikh Raj in India defeating Mughal Governor Wazir Khan, taking a revenge for killing Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four sons, mother and massacring thousands of Sikhs and Hindus as Singh Sahibans and Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal dedicated ‘Fateh Burj’ to the humanity.
As Singh Sahibans and Punjab Chief Minister dedicated the tallest victory tower in the country, perpetuating the memory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, General JJ Singh, Governor Arunachal Pradesh and Former Army Chief led over 20000 decorated ex-servicemen, 300 Lt Generals and Generals, all gallantry award winners of Punjab to pay homage to the Sikh Warrior on the battleground of Chappar Chiri that created history of defeating Mughlas on the India soil and establishing ‘Khalsa Raj’.
Firstly Punjab Chief Minister accompanied by Singh Sahibans Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, former BJP Chief Rajnath Singh, Uttrakhand Chief Minister Major General B.C. Khanduri (Retd), Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Gen JJ Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal unveiled the inaugural plaque after the ardas by Giani Tarlochan Singh.
Mr. Badal took the salute from full contingent of Punjab Armed Police and then the Chief Minister accompanied by Singh Sahibans in an open gypsy had a round of war memorial constructed on a piece of 20 acres of land. Firstly, Chief Minister along with Singh Sahibans and General J.J. Singh unveiled the statue of Bhai Fateh Singh and Bhai Ram Singh. Former BJP Chief Mr. Rajnath Singh and Arunachal Pradesh’s Governor Gen JJ Singh unveiled the statues of Bhai Aali Singh and Bhai Maali Singh whereas Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal unveiled the statue of Bhai Baaj Singh, lastly Chief Minister and Singh Sahibans unveiled the statue of Great Sikh Warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and dedicated 328 feet tall, the tallest victory tower of India, ‘Fateh Burj’ to humanity. It was a fitting tribute to Banda Singh Bahadur who abolished the Zamindari system of land prevailing under the Mughals, and made the actual cultivators owners of land. It was a perfect homage to a man who realized Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s dream of political sovereignty within one year of the death of the Great Guru.
As Mr. Badal dedicated the Fateh Burj, the whole sky was filled with fireworks and flower petals were showered on the congregation. There was a spectacular display of martial arts by various teams of Nihangs and Gatka teams and a mock war scene of Chappar Chiri war was created to educate the audience to emphasise the point that how difficult it was to defeat Mughals.
This memorial is built on 20 acres of land in Chapparchiri Sector 91 in SAS Nagar, Mohali. Chapparchiri was the place where actual war was fought. The main theme of the project is to inculcate a feeling of pride in the youth of Punjab. The cost of the construction of the project is Rs. 35.40 Crores excluding the cost of land. The construction of the project was completed in a short period of 11 months.
The height of the victory tower is 328 feet. There are three decks at 20.4 Metre, 35.40 Metre and 66.00 Metre. On the top of this Victory Tower, there is a dome having the spire of Khanda in stainless steel. The 8 sides of Victory tower having beautiful arches in increasing order towards the Sikh side depicting (Chardi Kala) “ON THE RISE”. The internal core shell of victory tower rising vertically high up to 82.40 Metres. and the curvilinear side walls sloping upwards with arches on each side.
Six shell structures along the water body and towards south east side of land have been constructed, which are similar to the mounds and have statues of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and his 5 Generals namely Bhai Fateh Singh, Bhai Aali Singh, Bhai Mali Singh, Bhai Baj Singh and Bhai Ram Singh on the top. Out of these six shell (Mound), four no are build with the earth and two shell (Mound) are designed with RCC and executed with a special formwork.
The Victory Tower is lit in two parts. The Khanda and Dome is lit by High intensity 8 Nos Flood light. The rest of tower is lit in three stages by 20 Nos Color Reach light, controlled by DMX Controller and I – Player to give color changing effect.
Three skywalks of Fateh Burj will take you 300 years back and give proud feeling of victory looking at the statues of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and his 5 Generals atop tibbas as they might have stood at that time.
Foundation is supported on 269 piles 35 metre deep. Using the slip form technology the centre core was raised from ground level to the dome level in just 40 days span.
Tibbas have been created by RCC domed strcutures having statues of the generals on top and facilities like 360O projections immersive experience and restaurant underneath.
The complex also has an Open Air Theatre with a capacity of 1200 people for various activities and functions to promote the culture of Punjab and attract tourism. This theatre also has small cafeteria for day to day refreshment under the sitting area.
The Information centre has been designed to look like a Quila with big arches, minarets and huge wooden doors with iron nails. Small details like having smaller door in the bigger door have also been catered for. While the information centre has been created at the entrance, the gift shop is positioned near the exit.
Inspiration of having tibbas / hills was also taken from Lohgarh Sahib where Baba Banda Singh Bahadur established his first Sikh capital. In the centre is the Quile wali Pahari having a huge river in the front so that it could be difficult to the enemies to enter the Quila. It has five different Hills/ Pahari at the back so that even if the enemy somehow entered they could go and hid in any one of the Hills / Pahari namely Gurudware Wali Pahadi, Nagade wali pahadi, Taksal wali Phaadi, Jyoti wali pahadi
At the entry of complex, structure called information centre has been constructed and has best historic aesthetics including 4 Nos. minarets. To go to all the places of complex, path ways have been constructed. There is parking very near to information centre. To give aesthetics view, rest part of the complex is covered with landscaping including on mound.
Under one dome, there would be a theatre in which audience would be able to get emersion experience of war. On weekends there would be light and sound show about the life and achievements of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included, Local Bodies Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, Tourism Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Member Parliament Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, former MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, Former Canadian MP Ms Ruby Dhalla, first Sikh policeman of Canada Mr. Baljit Singh Dhillon,.
BRIEF DETAILS ABOUT BABA BANDA SINGH BAHADUR’S 5 GENERALS
Bhai Aali Singh, who hailed from Singh’s Salodi village, was Fauzdar of Wazir Khan’s territory, Sirhind. When Baba Banda Singh Bahadur reached Punjab, he along with his soldiers quit and joined Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s army and was also executed along with Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on 9th June 1716.
Bhai Maali Singh was the brother of Bhai Aali Singh. He also joined Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s army along with his brother. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur had deputed him as the commander of troop of soldiers; he was also executed along with Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on 9th June 1716.
Bhai Fateh Singh from Malwa headed the troop of Sikh soldiers and was mainly responsible for the Chaparchiri victory. The village Chak Fateh Singh wala was named after him.
Bhai Ram Singh was brother of Bhai Baaj Singh he also played a great role in the war of Chapparchiri. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur had deputed him as the commander of troop of soldier and was also executed along with Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on 9th June 1716.
Bhai Baaj Singh from Mirpur Patti was the right hand of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. After the victory of Chaparchiri he was deputed as the first governor of Sirhind. He was also executed along with Banda Singh Bahadur on June 9, 1716
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