Bhagat Singh Gallery Opens at Pakistan’s Historic Poonch House for Tourists

In a landmark gesture to commemorate one of the subcontinent’s most revered freedom fighters, Pakistan’s Punjab government has unveiled the Bhagat Singh Gallery at the historic Poonch House in Lahore. This site, steeped in history as the venue of Singh’s trial nearly a century ago, now stands as a vibrant memorial that immortalizes his enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to justice and liberty.

The Bhagat Singh Gallery features an extensive collection of historical artifacts, including trial documents, photographs, letters, and newspaper clippings that chronicle Singh’s fight for independence. Visitors can explore a curated selection of memorabilia, offering a poignant glimpse into the life and struggles of one of South Asia’s most iconic revolutionaries.

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman inaugurated the gallery earlier this week, emphasizing its cultural and historical importance. “The gallery showcases Bhagat Singh’s struggle for independence,” Zaman stated during the opening ceremony. He further highlighted the collaborative efforts of Punjab’s departments of industry, commerce, and tourism in restoring Poonch House to its original grandeur.

The gallery includes rare artifacts previously unveiled by the Punjab Archives Department in 2018. Among these are Bhagat Singh’s execution certificate, letters requesting court orders, and petitions submitted by his father, Sardar Kishan Singh, to overturn his death sentence. Notably, these documents reveal Singh’s defiance against British colonial rule, evident in his unconventional sign-offs like “Yours etc. etc.,” rejecting subservient norms.

One document certifies his execution, reading:
*”I hereby certify that the sentence of death passed on Bhagat Singh has been duly executed… The body was not taken down until life was ascertained by a medical officer to be extinct.”*

These records also detail the colonial police’s efforts to dismantle Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary network, which linked members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army and the Naujawan Bharat Sabha across India.

Advocate Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi, chairman of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, lauded the opening of the gallery but pressed for additional measures to honor the freedom fighter’s legacy. “Since the Punjab government has opened the Bhagat Singh Gallery, it should also rename Shadman Chowk, where he was hanged, after him,” Qureshi stated, reaffirming his commitment to advocating for this change.

Bhagat Singh was just 23 when he was executed on March 23, 1931, in Lahore after being convicted of conspiring against British rule. Alongside his comrades Rajguru and Sukhdev, he was accused of assassinating British police officer John P. Saunders, an act of defiance against colonial oppression.

The gallery’s opening at Poonch House marks a significant step in preserving Singh’s legacy, ensuring that his contributions to the independence movement resonate with future generations. As tourists flock to the site, they are offered an opportunity to reflect on the enduring spirit of a revolutionary whose ideas transcended borders and inspired countless freedom struggles.

This initiative not only highlights Bhagat Singh’s historic impact but also strengthens cultural ties across the region, bridging the shared history of India and Pakistan. The Bhagat Singh Gallery stands as a testament to the enduring power of resilience and sacrifice in the quest for justice and liberty.