CLOCK TOWER, FARIDKOT

Ghanta Ghar as locally known, or Victoria Clock Tower is located in the heart of the city. It was constructed by Raja Balbir Singh as a memorial to Queen Victoria who died on January 22, 1901.

Description: The clock tower is a free-standing structure with four easily visible clock faces on cardinal sides, built in the true Gothic revival style. The structure also finds mention in the Aina-i-Brar Bans, published at the end of the year 1902. The significance of a clock tower at the beginning of the twentieth century cannot be emphasized enough when rarely any individual could afford a watch. On each side of the tower, ‘1902’ is inscribed as the date of its erection. The bell of the clock tower has the company name, TAYLOR LOUGHBORO, which was the leading bell foundry of the world, known as Messers Taylors Eayre and Smith Ltd., established in the year 1784. The clocks installed in the tower were manufactured by J. B. Joyce & Company, United Kingdom, and were supplied by Anglo-Swiss Watch Company, Calcutta. Thus, it very well stands out as an indelible impression of the British era. (Courtesy: Parihar, 2009, p.167-168)

Things to do: Tourists can explore the market area surrounding the clock tower and try the local cuisine, or shop for traditional Punjabi suits from the suit market.