Pul Moran (Pul Kanjari) Amritsar

Situated nearly 35 k.m. from Amritsar Railway Station and 5 k.m. away from Indo-Pak border (Wagah Border Amritsar) at village Dhanoe Kalan. Pul Moran (Pul Kanjari) stands to testify the stay of Maharaja Ranjit Singh during his visits to Amritsar. After crossing Atari from Amritsar side, nearly 500 yards ahead, there is a road on the right, leading to village Attalgarh. After Attalgarh, "village Mode” the road ends at Pul Moran.

Moran a dancer hailing from nearby village Makhanpura used to perform in the Royal Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. On way she has to cross a small canal linked to river Ravi, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in order to irrigate Shalimar Gardens of Lahore. This canal at that time was lacking a proper bridge. During one such visits while crossing the canal Moran lost her silver sandals. This pair of sandals was presented to her by the Maharaja. Disappointed over the loss, she refused to perform in the court of Maharaja. When the incident was brought to the notice of Maharaja, he immediately ordered the construction of a bridge on the canal.

The dancers were not given much respect in that days, and they were addressed as “Kanjari”. Hence the bridge constructed to facilitate “Moran dancer” was known as “Pul Kanjari”.

Known for her interest in art & history and its preservation, Manveen Kaur Sandhu Principal Sprin Dale School Amritsar stressed for the need to replace the name “Pul Kanjari”to “Pul Moran” as the word kanjari is taken as a abuse in Punjabi Language. At the same time Ms. Sandhu cited that word Kanjari is a mutation of Persian word Kanchani (means dipped in gold and fully blossomed). She cited that it was the quality and behaviour of Moran that brought her nearer to a king. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was summoned and proclaimed guilty by The Jathedar of “Sri Akal Takhat Sahib” Akali Phoola Singh for this relation of Maharaja with Moran. Maharaja bowed before the “Akal Takht” and accepted the punishment. He was exempted with kora (……) as a fine.

Pul Kanjri was captured by the Pakistani army during the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, and was recaptured by the Indian Army later. A memorial column, constructed in the memory of the Jawans of Sikh regiments, who had recaptured Pul Kanjri from the Pakistani army in 1971, stands as a testimony to the supreme sacrifices.

Now, this historical memorial has been renovated and being preserved by The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and Govt. of Punjab. The Mosque, Mandir, Baradari and a Sarovar have been given a new touch and the place is worth paying a visit.

Shiv Temple
On the right side of the memorial is a Shiv Temple made of Nanakshahi Bricks. Inside on the roof of the temple and sides beautiful fresco work can be seen, which has faded by the passage of time.

Sarovar
Originally, it was a store house (pool) for the water, but later on the name Sarovar was given to it. The water to the pool was supplied from the nearby canal. There is a open space for the gents to take a dip and a covered one for the ladies, whereas there is a separate slope for the animals.

Baradari
The stay house of Maharaja Ranjit Singh known as baradari (the house with 12 doors), is almost in ruins.