AMRITSAR, Sept. 25 -- Recent heavy rains and flooding have inflicted severe damage on the historic Lahori Gate, the last surviving gate of the historical town of Sri Hargobindpur. A portion of this rare heritage structure has collapsed, putting its very existence at risk.

Sri Hargobindpur, an important religious and historical site, was founded by the fifth Sikh master Guru Arjan Dev, and later developed by his son, Guru Hargobind, as per "Mahan Kosh" (the first Punjabi encyclopedia) created by legendary Sikh scholar Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha. The town, located on the right bank of the Beas, was strategically built on a high mound and was originally enclosed by a protective wall. It had six gates, which served as entry points into the town -...