Jia Pota marks 204 years since Raja Gulab Singh Ji’s Raj Tilak

Hundreds gathered June 17 at Jia Pota Ghat in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, for the first night commemoration of Raja Gulab Singh Ji’s 1822 Raj Tilak by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji. Organizers framed the event as a heritage celebration and a call to preserve the site’s historical and tourism value. Why it matters: - Jia Pota Ghat was the site of Raja Gulab Singh Ji’s Raj Tilak in 1822, a moment organizers and speakers described as a major milestone in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir. - The commemoration was positioned as both a heritage event and a public reminder to preserve a site tied to shared history, social harmony, and cultural identity. - Local leaders said protecting Jia Pota could strengthen tourism, historical education, and intercommunity understanding. What happened: - Hundreds of participants from multiple communities gathered at Jia Pota Ghat in Akhnoor on June 17, 2026. - The event marked the 204th anniversary of the Raj Tilak of Raja Gulab Singh Ji, conferred by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji on June 17, 1822. - Organizers said it was the first night commemoration of the historic event in Jammu and Kashmir. - The programme was organized by the Management Committee of Gurdwara Sant Baba Sunder Singh Ji Tapo Asthan, Akhnoor, led by S. Ranvir Singh, with support from the Tourism Department and cooperation from civil society groups. The details: - Representatives from multiple faiths, community organizations, historians, scholars, public representatives, and citizens attended. - Kunwarani Ritu Singh Ji, granddaughter-in-law of Raja Gulab Singh Ji, said the legacy of Raja Gulab Singh Ji and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji belongs to all communities and represents justice, religious tolerance, and inclusive governance. - Shri Mohan Lal Bhagat, MLA Akhnoor, described Jia Pota as an important historical landmark and said it should be preserved and developed as a heritage and tourism destination. - A special session examined the historical significance of the 1822 investiture ceremony and the administrative contributions of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji and Raja Gulab Singh Ji. - Dr. Satpreet Singh, chairman of the University of Khalsa in California and director of the Sikh Institute of Higher Education and Association, said the rulers’ leadership reflected justice, responsible governance, religious coexistence, and respect for human dignity. - S. Bijay Singh, secretary of the Dharam Prachar Committee, Amritsar, called historic sites like Jia Pota living classrooms that connect present and future generations with their cultural roots. - S. Ranvir Singh said the event was meant to bring communities together around a shared historical legacy and highlight values of harmony, mutual respect, and unity. - Historians S. Kanwal Singh and S. Randheer Singh also spoke on the 1822 ceremony and the rulers’ contributions to regional governance and development. - The programme drew a long list of dignitaries and community leaders, including Shri Mohan Lal Bhagat, Kunwarani Ritu Singh Ji, Dr. Satreet Singh, S. Vijay Singh, S. Tarlochan Singh, S. Gurpej Singh, S. Jagpal Singh, S. Karan Singh Bali, S. Avtar Singh, Dr. Gafoor Ahmed, Shri Shakti Singh, Shri Shiv Gupta, Smt. Kuldeep Kour, S. Satwant Singh Wazir, Shri K. P. Singh, Shri Rakesh Malhotra, S. Tajinder Singh, S. Arjun Singh, S. Jaswant Singh (Bala), S. Swaran Singh (Sohal), S. Swaran Singh (Sungal), S. Gagandeep Singh, S. Kanwal Singh, and S. Randheer Singh. Between the lines: - The event linked Sikh and Dogra-era history to a broader message about coexistence in present-day Jammu and Kashmir. - The strong emphasis on youth, preservation, and tourism suggests organizers want the site treated as a living public heritage asset, not only a memorial space. - The commemoration also served as a platform for community leadership to reinforce unity across religious and civic groups. What’s next: - Organizers and participants pledged to continue efforts to preserve Jia Pota’s historical significance. - The event closed with a call to promote peace, justice, mutual respect, and social harmony through heritage conservation and public awareness. - Local stakeholders are expected to keep pushing for preservation and development of the site as a heritage destination. The bottom line: - Jia Pota’s first night commemoration turned a 204-year-old political ceremony into a modern appeal for shared heritage, preservation, and unity.