Deteriorating
condition of a Fort, a Historical building popularly known as ‘Kala Pani’ Prison, situated at Village Badhra, Tehsil Badhra, District Charkhi Dadri,
Haryana (India), Postal Code- 127308.
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It is
important to mention here that recently I have visited a Fort, a Historical
building popularly known as ‘Kala Pani’ prison and took some photographs of the
building structure from outside and inside of the building structure.
The ‘Kala Pani’ prison building (earlier as a Fort) was constructed during the reins of the Jind ‘Riyasat’ (Princely State) now in Haryana State, India. The last ruler of the Jind ‘Riyasat’ (Princely State) started Charkhi Dadri as a temporary district due to administrative reasons. A fort was constructed in Badhra village (now a sub-division in Charkhi Dadri district in southern part of Haryana State, India) and after some time it was converted into a prison.
In the nineteenth century ‘lagaan’ (land revenue) was main source of state income in India. The people who did not pay ‘lagaan’ (land revenue) in time, were main culprits of the state and they were severely punished for not paying lagan (land revenue) in time. Culprits from eight districts of the Jind ‘Riyasat’ (princely state) were used to bring to prison situated at Badhra and were severely punished. The Quality of the food given to the prisoners was very bad and they had to wait for water for a long time. They were put into very small cells in the prison and they could not take rest in small cells. It was considered that culprits could survived in this prison hardly for ten days. Famous for harsh punishments, prison situated at Badhra village was popularly known as ‘Kala Pani’ prison. It was also known as ‘Kala Garh’.
In 1946, suppression of the Jind ‘Riyasat’ over the people of South Haryana was very high. A delegation comprising of two dozen great people from this area under the leadership of Raja Mahtab Singh and Mahashya Mansa Ram went Delhi to meet Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel to discuss the whole matter with him. Sardar Patel inspired them not to bear the oppression of the ruler. After returned from Delhi, On July 31, 1946, all employees of the ‘Kala Pani’ prison were arrested and the prisoners were freed. Raja Mahtab Singh was accepted as the ruler of this area. After the Independence of India (August 15, 1947), a Police station was opened in this Fort building and it continued till 1998. Later on this Police Station was shifted to another building.
Due to
lack of the attention towards this Fort, the building of the Fort has started
collapsing. Today this Historical building is in very bad condition and it is
worsening day by day. This Fort building needs attention and to be repaired so
that a Historical building could be safeguarded and a building with Historical
importance could be saved. I am sharing some of the photographs of this Fort building
structure which I have taken by visiting this place.
Front view of the ‘Kala
Pani’ Prison building structure in which the main gate of the building is
clearly visible (East Side)
‘Kala Pani’ Prison at Badhra
Inner view of the ‘Kala Pani’ Prison Building Structure
‘Kala Pani’ Prison at Badhra
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(Photograph-3)
‘Kala Pani’ Prison at Badhra
A close Inner view of the ‘Kala Pani’ Prison Building (South Side)
‘Kala Pani’ Prison at Badhra
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A close inner view of the ‘Kala Pani’ Prison building (West Side)
‘Kala Pani’ Prison at Badhra
(Photograph-6)
‘Kala Pani’ Prison at Badhra
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