Sir,
Samba district was carved out from district Jammu on administrative grounds on Ist April 2007. The district shares the boundaries with district Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua and is equidistant from the said three District Headquarters.
Samba is the treasure house of ancient monuments. There are many forts namely Mohargarh fort, Dhergarh Fort, Bhupnergarh fort and Samba fort having great historical importance. The gates, of Mohargarh fort are still in tact. Red sand stone were utilized in its construction. The forts of Dhergarh and Bhupnergarh are in dilapidated condition.
Samba fort is situated on a small hillock half a km, away from NHIA main bus stand Samba and 37 km from Jammu and is in commanding position over looking River Basanter. As per historians the fort was originally erected during 3rd-14th century, Raja of Mandi, Naga Raja Goureoen 1679-1684 built this Fort. The Samba fort was built by Ranjit Singh in 1822 on the remains of old fort. Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Jasrotia and brought Samba under its control and handed it over to Raja Suchet Singh brother of Maharaja Gulab Singh. Raja Suchet Singh also carried some work in 1830. The Samba fort is strategically located.
In 1905, people of Samba requested Maharaja Partap Singh to donate this fort to the Education Department for housing a school. The school is oldest in the area.
The people of Samba have evolved a long term plan for preservation and management of the heritage. A comprehensive plan of restoration of the Samba fort has been conceived at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crores (approx). The govt took the restoration programme in hand in 2010 and about one crore has been spent on various works. The works so far under taken include partial restoration of outer fort wall, restoration of water tank, clearance of malba and wild vegetarian inside and outside the fort. This has been declared monument under the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 1920. This type of living monument must be preserved for the coming generation to peep into their rich past.
It is also suggested that the existing dried water tank be made a double storey building complex as it would house an indoor stadium and district library as well.
Yours etc….
Gur Nandan Singh
Kehli Mandi,
Samba
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