Maharaja Ranjit Singh who was called the lion of Punjab played a decisive role in Indian history and established very vast kingdom with the help of sword. One side he extended his territory to the Khyber Pass and china and other side to the Sind and Sutlej. He was only sikh ruler in Punjab who raised the flag of freedom because the whole India was occupied by the East India Company except Punjab.
He acquired Lahore in 1799 and made his Capital. He also took over Amritsar in 1802 and had given the title of spiritual capital. A garden was laid out in 1818 in the north of the city at the behalf of Shalimar Bagh of Lahore, known as Ram Bagh at the name of Guru Ram Dass. The garden was enclosed by a masonry wall about fourteen feet high ramparts and a gate capable of carrying gun, outside the wall a moat filled with water from Hasli canal. At each of the corners of the garden was built a small ornamental burj or Kiosk (Tower).
The museum offers insights into the life of the Sikh monarch Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Museum displays objects connecting to Maharaja Ranjit Singh such as arms and armour, outstanding paintings and centuries old coins and manuscripts. The paintings displayed in the galleries of the museum showcase the court and camp of the king. Among all the paintings, one that depicts the city of Lahore is most famous.
Coins and manuscripts displayed at the museum reflect the spirit of secularism in the king and rich history of Sikh province, respectively. The arms and ammunition section of the Museum shows a rich collection of weapons, which were prevalent among the great warriors of that time. Next to this museum stands the beautiful Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, an eternal visual record which encapsulates the life of the Maharaja.
The Golden Temple can be reached by road, train and air. While in Amritsar, one can easily reach by taking a taxi to the Golden temple. Other forms of local transport here are cycle rickshaws and city buses. Other cities are also well-connected to the Golden Temple. Delhi is 435 km and Chandigarh is 235 km from the Golden Temple. Amritsar is well-connected by rail with Mumbai, Varanasi, Delhi, Kolkata and other major places in India.
November to March, Amritsar experiences a chilly weather. The temperatures generally drop below 5°C in December and January. So, make sure that you pack enough warm clothes for the trip. Winters bring out the lively side of Amritsar. You get a glimpse of various festivals and revelries celebrated during this period, such as Guru Nanak Jayanti and Lohri. You can join in the festivities and make your visit memorable. Exploring the culture of the city during this time is something one must experience.
