NEW DELHI: In a move to promote heritage tourism and reconnect locals with the region’s military legacy, the Army’s Golden Arrow Division has opened the historic Ferozepur Fort to the public for the first time in over two centuries.The fort is located near the Indo-Pakistan border and was inaugurated by the Army as part of a broader initiative to preserve national heritage and encourage responsible tourism in border areas.“The reopening of Ferozepur Fort not only reconnects the region with its storied past but also reaffirms its identity as a symbol of valour, resilience and national pride, firmly placing it on Punjab’s cultural and heritage tourism map,” said Major General R S Manral, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Golden Arrow Division.Describing its strategic importance, Major General Manral added, “Strategically positioned near the Indo-Pakistan border, Ferozepur Fort is a remarkable example of 19th-century military architecture from the Sikh empire.” He also highlighted the fort’s unique hexagonal structure and robust defensive features as examples of “strategic ingenuity of its time.”Ferozepur Fort has a rich and layered history. Once a key outpost in the Sikh empire’s frontier defence network, the fort was converted into a British garrison in 1839 on the orders of the Duke of Wellington. Later, in 1858, the British repurposed it into a major arsenal, establishing facilities such as a powder magazine, dry gun cotton store, and ammunition depots.The site played a critical role during the First War of Independence in 1857 and served as the mother depot for weapons, trained animals, and logistics. At its peak, the fort housed 10,000 bullocks, an equal number of horses, and over 150 camels. Its role as an arsenal continued until 1941, when the British relocated ammunition to Kasubegu during World War II.Brigadier Bikram Singh, Station Commander, emphasised the fort’s emotional and historical significance. “Ferozepur holds a special place in India’s freedom movement, having produced numerous martyrs and revolutionaries who bravely resisted colonial rule,” he said. “This fort and its surroundings have borne witness to pivotal historical events, which continue to symbolise national pride and sacrifice.”The reopening is expected to boost tourism in Punjab and also educate visitors on India’s military past and the independence movement.