Pakistan to unveil Maharaja Ranjit Singh's life-size statue in Lahore on his 180th death anniversary

Pakistan will unveil a life-sized statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on his 180th death anniversary. The statue is installed outside the Main Indian Haveli in Lahore Fort which is close to the building that houses the Ranjit Singh samadhi and the Gurudwara Dera Sahib of Guru Arjun Dev. The statue is made up of bronze and is expected to be unveiled today at 4pm. Pakistan Minister Fawad Chaudhary also tweeted about the same. 

On Monday, Pakistan issued visas to 463 Indian Sikh pilgrims who are going to that country to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The visas issued by the High Commission in New Delhi are in addition to the ones given to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from different parts of the world.

The 463 Indian Sikh pilgrims will visit Pakistan to observe Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary from June 27-July 6.

Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year to observe various religious festivals and occasions.

Born on November 13, 1780, as Buddh Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ascended the throne in April 1801 and ruled his kingdom for 38 years. Popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab Singh, Ranjit Singh is considered one of the greatest Sikh rulers of all time.

He was known for successfully fighting off the invading army of Shah Zaman, of the Ahmad Shah Abdali dynasty in 1797 and 1798. He also protected Lahore from invading Afghans and was responsible for the restoration of Mughal architecture in the city.