Chandigarh, May 18: Mughal period sarais (wayside inns) on the Jarnaili Road linking Delhi with Lahore and Peshawar are to be restored to their old glory.

These sarais, now derelict, used to provide royal comforts to their guests — Mughal Emperors and aristocrats.

Miss Ravneet Kaur, Director of the Punjab Government’s Department of Tourism and Archaeology, told Samachar that the Government planned to turn these sarais into tourist havens.

The first such inn to be taken up for development is Aam-khas Bagh at Sirhind, where old channels, fountains and tanks are being restored. The renovation of Aam-khas Bagh is expected to be completed in about five years. The ‘Sarad Khana’ and the ‘Hamam’ (bath house) are at present being prepared.

Two reservoirs for hot and cold water have been discovered at the ‘Hamam’, which has attached dressing chambers. The structures will be restored to their original forms after a detailed study of similar structures at Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.

Miss Kaur said that restoration would also be undertaken shortly at the Shambhu, Dorahan and Amanat Khan inns on the same road.

She said the Tourist Department would shortly take over the fort (Quila Androon) at Patiala, which is embellished with wall paintings done in the miniature technique.