Pictorial tribute to customs heritage unveiled at Attari

A significant pictorial artwork showcasing the visual splendour and historical depth of the Customs Heritage Gallery at Land Customs Station Attari was unveiled by Alok Srivastava, IRS Commissioner Customs, Amritsar, on his first day in office on Friday.

This artwork highlights India’s first-ever Customs Heritage Gallery, established at the Attari transit point in 2016. The gallery traces over 2,000 years of trade and people-to-people contact, offering an immersive window into the rich legacy of Indian Customs. It underscores their pivotal role as guardians of India’s economic frontiers, while also preserving the historical narrative of customs administration and celebrating the enduring spirit of connectivity, tradition and vigilance that defines India’s border trade mechanisms.

Chronicling the history of Indian customs dating back around 2,000 years, during the time of Panchari, the gallery displays rare and beautiful photographs documenting the department’s functioning, including its notable seizures over the years, such as drugs, psychotropic substances, gold, smuggled wildlife and endangered species and art and antiquities.

The gallery also details the constant changes in the working of the Customs Department, which is the oldest revenue-generating branch of the administration worldwide. Through rare photographs, documents, artifacts, memorabilia and architectural elements, the gallery provides an immersive experience for tourists visiting the Attari border for the Retreat Ceremony.

The pictorial representation released today captures the essence of this legacy through carefully curated visuals, showcasing historical artefacts, photographs, documents and architectural elements housed in the gallery. Harpreet Sandhu, State Information Commissioner Punjab, commented, “This pictorial release is a tribute not only to India’s customs history but also to the collaborative efforts aimed at keeping cultural narratives alive for tourists and heritage enthusiasts, highlighting India’s vibrant borderland legacy.” Previously, Harpreet Sandhu has compiled pictorial books that capture the heritage monuments, buildings, institutions and other tangible aspects of heritage across the state.

Amritsar