The identity of a city is shaped not only by its monuments, but by the history, stories and culture that live within them. In Ratlam, in western Madhya Pradesh, Gulab Chakkar is one such landmark, an unusual heritage structure that carries a story of royal affection and the city’s past.
Built in 1879 by Maharaja Shri Ranjit Singh in memory of his daughter, Gulab Kunwar, the structure was once part of the city’s royal cultural life. The Maharaja played tennis at Herbert Palace nearby, while the melodies of the royal band filled the surroundings.
Over the years, however, Gulab Chakkar was neglected and fell into disrepair. Poorly maintained and inadequately lit, the structure stood in the heart of the city, close to government offices, but had become a neglected space frequently occupied by anti-social elements and substance abusers.
The transformation began under Rajesh Batham, IAS, then Collector of Ratlam district. He led an effort to restore Gulab Chakkar and bring it back into the life of the city. Funding was mobilised through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions and local support. The restoration retained the original character of the structure while giving the space a new public purpose.
A stage and sound system were installed to host cultural programmes. A computerised projection system, with colourful lights mounted on pillars around the complex, was added to create a light-and-music show synchronised with music. The 720-kilogram cylindrical stone famously lifted by wrestler Gama Pehlwan in 1900 was also given a prominent place within the complex, reconnecting the site with another chapter of Ratlam’s history.
The restored Gulab Chakkar was dedicated to the public on 8 June 2025 with a musical event.
Today, the site has become a very different place. At night, Gulab Chakkar comes alive with constantly changing beams of coloured light synchronised with music, transforming the heritage structure into a visual landmark in the heart of Ratlam. More importantly, the space has been reclaimed by the community.
Residents now regularly visit Gulab Chakkar for morning and evening walks, while a light-and-music show is organised every evening. The free stage and sound system have become particularly popular, with local groups using the facility for their own programmes. A space that was once largely lifeless and neglected has become an active public venue for the city’s cultural and community life.
Over the past year, Gulab Chakkar has hosted 220 events, including Aakanksha Haat, Bharat Parv, Vande Mataram Day programmes, yoga classes, seminars and karaoke evenings. The venue has also become a popular destination for social media creators, YouTubers and Instagram reel makers.
The transformation has attracted appreciation from heritage and conservation experts. Shri M. M. Upadhyay, Convenor of the Bhopal Chapter of INTACH and a retired IAS officer, described the project as an exemplary case of heritage restoration and adaptive reuse, noting that it preserved Gulab Chakkar’s architectural and historical character while creating a sustainable future for the site through innovative management and public use.
Gaj Singh, Chairman of World Monuments Fund India, also praised the initiative, saying that the renovation “brilliantly bridges Ratlam’s royal past with its cultural present.” He noted that by combining heritage conservation with community engagement, the initiative had helped renew public appreciation for an important historical landmark.
What makes Gulab Chakkar significant is not simply that an old structure was restored. It is that a neglected piece of Ratlam’s history has been returned to its citizens—not as a monument to be viewed from outside, but as a living public space that people can use, celebrate and make their own.
The restoration has turned a forgotten landmark into a cultural hub, showing how heritage conservation can go beyond preserving the past to create spaces that serve the present.
