Centuries Old 'Guru Nanak Palace' In Pakistan's Punjab Vandalized; Doors, Windows Sold

(Update: According to an exclusive IndiaToday report, it was learnt the place shown as Guru Nanak palace in the Dawn article isn't called Guru Nanak palace and it's an abandoned structure in 'Bhaat', a small village located 20 kms from Pakistan Punjab's Narowal city.)

A centuries-old building in Lahore, Punjab, which has a historic significance in Sikhism has been left vandalized. The building, Palace of Baba Guru Nanak in Bathanwala village in Lahore has been left in ruins after some locals demolished parts of it and sold its doors and windows.

According to Dawn News, the building was constructed over four centuries ago.

DAWN NEWS

The palace was built using bricks, sand, clay, and limestone and had 16 large rooms.

Dawn, quoting local residents reported that the building had historic significance and was visited by a large number of tourists from around the world, including India.

Another local resident claimed that the building was already partly destroyed for the construction of a house and that the demolition carried out with the knowledge of authorities.

The report stated that the family which lives there now and claims to be the owners of the property was behind the demolition.

Muhammad Anwar, the man who claims to be the owner of the building told the newspaper that after Partition his forefathers started living in this building where his family continued to reside. ¡°I do not know whose property this building is as we have been living here for generations. We demolished it because it was in a dangerous, dilapidated condition,¡± he added.

REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

But there is no clarity on the ownership of the building as it is not a part of revenue records or with the Evacuee Trust Property Board, a body which administers properties left behind by Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India after partition and also maintain and upkeep places of worship belonging to Hindus and Sikhs.